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Today I was mostly engaged in boring administration; correspondence in writing and in e-mail; filing; form-filling; and posting.
Rapid rooftop rattling hailed a brief interlude with my camera, as ricocheting crystals created springboards of chairs, tables, paving, and anything else less receptive than soggy soil.
Early this afternoon we drove out to the Turfcutter’s Arms at East Boldre for a pre-dinner drink. In this we were to be disappointed, but every cloud has a silver lining.
Beginning with the building near the corner of Hordle Lane, we engaged in an exploration of September skies. The blue, white, and indigo palette was to change over the next hour.
The skyscape over Lymington River introduced an ochre tinge,
retained at Tanner’s Lane where the Isle of Wight stood out in clear relief,
as did ferries en route to Lymington.
Looking east, Southampton, with its Spinnaker tower was beautifully lit.
Indigo was the dominant hue to the west;
in between the shoreline led through the Solent to the Isle of Wight.
On across the moors towards East Boldre the hues continued to shift with the swirling clouds.
We soon reach our goal.
We had forgotten it was Saturday. When you are retired there is no such thing as a weekend. It was initially clear that the pub was extremely popular, packed out, and with no available seating. Almost immediately, nothing was clear except the glowing pumpkin head in the fireplace. The electricity was down. Although it soon rose again, we decided to call it a day and return home.
It was not yet sunset when we approached Hatchet Pond,
where a pair of, as far as I could make out. coots paddled across the reflected skies.
Sunset was not far off.
This evening we dined on succulent chicken Kiev, Jackie’s moist ratatouille, crisp roast potatoes, cauliflower, carrots, and green beans. Jackie drank Hoegaarden, and I drank more of the Madiran.
Love Hatchet Pond!
Many thanks, Rekha
The photo-story is indeed proof that only coots go out on a Saturday.
I rail at your sauce, Bruce. But have to admire your larkiness
Bald cheek, I’d say.
I’ll sing to that! thanks Derrick.
🙂
It is true that when you are retired there is no such thing as a weekend any more. It’s the best isn’t it! 😀 I see no pumpkin in the flames, my imagination must be turned off today. I am reduced to having a digital fireplace to warm my heart on cooler nights as I am all electric here in my tiny home, it looks every bit as good as your photo except it flickers and crackles 🙂
I saw a skull. 🙂
Eeeeeek!! 😀
Thank you both
That’s what I saw, first, but then reflected on Halloween. Thanks, Widders
Many thanks, Pauline. The skull was my first thought.
A delicious dinner and gorgeous pictures!
Thank you very much, Lynn
Such dramatic skies you captured here. We are retired, and have no sense of weekends/ weekdays either. Except during football season. You reminded me that I used to make Chicken Kiev all the time…haven’t done so in a while.
Many thanks, Van
We’re not retired but we do work from home, and so have to remind ourselves about ‘rush-hour’ traffic if we’re going out in the afternoon. 🙂
Many thanks Widders. I did the same for some years.
I see the pumpkin head, Derrick! I always love photos of an ominous sky.
Many thanks, Jill. I din’t see it until I looked at the photo 🙂
I envy you for your ability of capturing all those wonderful photos.
Very many thanks, Byung
As always, loving your pictures of the Isle Of Wight.
Thanks very much, Ivor
Ricochetting crystals set the mood of the post soon to be overcome by brooding skies. That is an interesting name, ‘Turfcutter’s Arms’, made mysterious still by the imagery of the pumpkin head.
Thanks very much, Uma
In this, everybody has something to associate with. Thanks sharing Derrick sir. Regards
Many thanks, Harbans
My pleasure sir.
Those skies! Like a moody Monet decided to tackle sky rather than water lilies.
Many thanks, Leslie
Such wonderful photos of the sky, Derrick. Sorry you didn’t get your drink, but you did get the pumpkin head flames. I love the photo of the coots on the water.
Many thanks, Merril. Yes, it’s an ill wind…… As I approached the pond, I had every intention of shooting reflections of the sky. That one was enough.
amazing photos of that wondrous sky <3 <3 <3 Indigo clouds are stunning <3
Many thanks, Kim
Your site is a visual feast. I love dropping by.
Many thanks, Brenda
Amazing skies, Derrick, full of silver linings. 🙂
Many thanks, Diana
Beautiful skies and pumpkin head.Form filling , I hate it so much!
Many thanks, Sylvie. Everyone wants forms and signatures. I was asked by a solicitor, of all people, to fill in a form containing my bank details, scan it and e-mail it! I sent it by post
Good on you (as we say here)
In the photograph beneath the ‘heading’ “Indigo was the dominant hue to the west” ; there appears to be an old castle; then I realized it was a cloud formation, but it does still look like a castle to me! 🙂
Very well spotted, Brian. It certainly does look like a castle. Thanks a lot
By the bye, when I saw the heading of this post under the picture of the worthy Aaron, I thought for a moment that the poor hard working wretch was out of favour; but the photo of the fire set my mind at rest
Thanks a lot, Brian. 🙂
Thanks for pointing out the header picture. WP keep changing them. This header should have been the fire. I hope I’ve fixed it now.
I do see the pumpkin head! I do love a fire.
And that image of the ducks swimming across the pond is so peaceful
Thanks very much, Laurie. Most of our local pubs and inns burn log fires
Great skies – proving that a skilled man with a camera can find a picture anywhere.
I too saw a skull. Great photo, whatever you see.
Many thanks, Quercus
🙂
I love the pumpkin and the castle. But their gone now.
🙂 Many thanks, Paol. Indeed they are
And it is they’re – not their. I will write it out 100 times.
Phonetic spelling didn’t help some children 🙂
Beautiful pictures from your evening, Derrick and Jackie, especially the fireplace. 🙂
Thanks very much, Lavinia
Oh for long evenings that never seem to finish. As you know here, “night fell” means one moment it was light, and the next moment it was dark. Sunset due at 5.51pm today.
That seems early, Gwen. Many thanks
It will get better next month as we move to daylight saving, in line with the approach of summer.
Sky gazing is one of my favorite things to do, since I’m landlocked. You have captures some beautiful photos of ever-changing clouds. I really love the water photo with the ducks. The wake behind them really captured my eye. Too bad about your drink, but the photos made up for it.
Many thanks, Robin. We got the drink and a meal the next day
Very nice blog!
Many thanks tlc