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Today the temperature was unseasonably warm, and the skies overcast. Although we have a great number of flowers still blooming beyond their normal time, I chose this morning figuratively to pick
a bunch of dahlias from the garden.
On my way round my attention was drawn to a fallen leaf, twisting frantically in an attempt to free itself from the spider’s web from which it was suspended. This brought the arachnid scampering down its central line, only to be disappointed in what it had trapped.
I have recently featured developments in the West Bed, cleared of shrubs and an old rose by Aaron, and having two new roses set to climb the arch by Jackie. There is now a new bench ready for positioning on reconstituted stone paving.
Elizabeth came for lunch and dinner. This afternoon we all travelled to Friar’s Cliff Beach and visited the Beach Hut Café for refreshments.
A heavy haze restricted rendered the Isle of Wight invisible beyond a passing yacht.
From Steamer Point nature reserve I watched the couple seen in the above picture continuing along the beach in the direction of Mudeford.
Other dogs were frolicking on the beach;
one retriever in particular swimming like a seal,
its antics being filmed from the breakwater.
Even as far away as the clifftop car park we could smell the red seaweed that coated the sand
where a solitary gull wandered.
This bird was joined by another and quickly took off,
flying out to sea,
leaving the visitor all forlorn.
Bubbling eddies swirled around
the rocks swathed in green and red weed.
As the waves rolled in they were tinged with red.
The gull bobbing on the wave above leapt to avoid the next one,
and a wader flew off as I approached in an attempt to identify it.
I photographed my sister focussing on the water,
and she got her own back.
This served a dual purpose in that we could satisfy the request of LordBeariofBow to feature my new haircut so that he could pass judgement on it.
This evening’s dinner consisted of Jackie’s superb sausages in red wine, creamy mashed potatoes, and crunchy carrots and cabbage. Jackie drank Hoegaarden and Elizabeth and I drank Parra Alta malbec 2016.
It’s always a nice change when the photographer becomes the photographed. And also really fun to see you in action. Nice hair cut! 🙂
Many thanks, Pauline
Action, that’s a bit strong!!
Funny!
😀 😀 😀
Like your photographs, the new haircut looks smashing, Derrick! 🙂
Thanks very much, Jill 🙂
Is the red seaweed naturally occuring or some sort of toxic bloom?
I really don’t know, Widders. The locals didn’t know what it was, but didn’t seem concerned. Thanks a lot
Thank you for the beautiful bouquet of dahlias.
Much appreciated, Susanne
Looks and sounds like a perfect day.
Many thanks, Leslie
It certainly looks like winter is coming, although the dahlia’s offers such lovely color. Can’t wait to be back in Argentina sipping that wonderful malbec! Cheers to you~
And cheers to you, Cindy. 🙂
I think your barber is a cut above mine – but just by a whisker.
🙂 Nice one, Bruce
Oh, Bruce, Bruce………
I couldn’t help it, Jackie…
Fabulous haircut. Who cares about the scenery when your hair is better!
Many thanks, Victo
I love when the one behind the camera is featured. Beautiful photos, and that ocean!!! 😊
Many thanks, Dorinda. I can’t always hide behind the camera 🙂
You’re welcome. And I’m glad you don’t 😊
Beautiful photos and great haircut, Derrick. I liked seeing you in action. 🙂
I also wondered if about the red seaweed.
Many thanks, Merril. We had never seen the seaweed before
It is hard not to appreciate the dahlias or your haircut. Graceful is the word that comes to my mind. Your canvas is vast and varied and has space for things big and small, from seas to spiders.
Many thanks for your wide-ranging comments, Uma
Wow – excellent comments!
As always they are wonderful photos. I liked,especially, the lone bird on the beach and the man with a camera.
Many thanks, Byung. The man is me 🙂
I know it is you.
Sorry – I misinterpreted your comment. 🙂
No, you didn’t.
I do believe that you should request a refund>
Now why did I expect something like that? 🙂
Another fascinating entry in your pictorial diary, Derrick. You do bring your lovely part of the world to life.
Very many thanks, Roland
The solitary gull takes me back over the years to Jonathan Livingston Seagull which was compulsory reading for those of us that considered ourselves cerebrally cool youngsters in the seventies. I haven’t thought about it in years. I must see if I can find a copy and revisit to see what I think now. This risky practice of re-reading books is always interesting, I find. Thank you for prompting my fusty brain cells 🙂
I really like your first photo of the beach and the sea, the one with a yacht. It’s really well balanced in my opinion. The bird is an Oystercatcher I think and your seaweed is conceivably from the Caribbean, uprooted by Hurricane Irma possibly. I know they do occasionally get coconuts drifting in from there in Cornwall.
Thanks for these useful thoughts, John. I thought it was an oystercatcher, too, but lacked confidence in my identification.
I love Your shots. Well, I might need a haircut, if You see my newest post. 🙂 Have a god day!
Thanks a lot, Sartenada
Most of the pics didnt load for me but your writing painted vivid pictures for me. I’ll check this post another time do I can get a squiz at your new do (but I won’t judge!). 😊
Thanks, Mek. Better luck next time
You have the gift of making a day quite special. Enjoyed the flowers and walking the beach.
Many thanks, Pamela
The flowers are gorgeous! I have not seen red seaweed like that and so much of it. It is fun to see the beach and how different it looks each time. Sounds like a relaxing day and a great dinner.
Thanks very much, Lynn
Loved the red and green seaweed together. Your dahlias are stunning, and you’re looking quite dapper, yourself.
Many thanks, Jodie
You’re welcome, my friend.
Dreamy! Your beach scenes always give me pause – so lovely! As are your Dahlias, and your new do! 🙂
Many thanks, Anna
I love to watch dogs on the beach. Your photos reminded me of my old golden retriever who loved to run and swim in the water. Here, dogs are only allowed on the beach from October until April. But sometimes people sneak them on at night. 🙂 That dark red dahlia is very alluring.
Many thanks, JoAnna. Beach restrictions are the same here, but largely ignored
🙂 Good thing dogs don’t read.
Awesome post Derrick! So much to see and feel! Wow 😳
Great to be able to see you in action too!
Interesting you’re on the strand…looking for the few you’ve recently been severed from?
Many thanks Rob. I had to think about your pun – good one 🙂
👍😀
Thanks
Very nice Derrick! As good looking as your dahlias 😊
Many thanks, Val
Looks like an idyllic day, Derrick. Can’t comment on the haircut – how bad was it before?
🙂 Thanks, Mike. Longer
What a bouquet. Nice haircut. I would be tempted to see if that seaweed would make a good fertiliser 🙂
Apparently it does, Mary. Thanks very much
Your garden still has so many blooming flowers! Your day down by the beach was interesting too, with all the red seaweed washing up. Is that common so see so much wash up?
We’ve never seen it before, Lavinia. There is some speculation that hurricane Irma was responsible. Thanks very much
Looked damp and chilly. I enjoyed the shore/seaweed pictures. I could smell it from here…😎
Thanks a lot, Steve. Actually it was quite warm for the time of year. We probably didn’t need our coats, but rain was forecast
It took me a while to find the spider camouflaged in the picture. I did not think that flowers survived September cold in the UK but your garden seems to be still flourishing. Wondered about that red seaweed and had to google it.
Many thanks, Geetha. It has been unusually mild, here
I’m glad about that as we get to see more flower pictures. I have to say though that your snowy garden pictures are also fabulous like the ones of the fall too.
Thanks again, Geetha
🙂
Great to see some photos you, Derrick!:-) The new hair cut is terrific. 👍🏻😊
Many thanks, Dina