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When I was awaiting my hip replacement in 2009, my GP offered the opinion that I would never have a blood pressure problem. I wonder what she would have thought about my performance on the telephone today, much of which was again spent in frustrating negotiations about the mortgage. We were just about to set off with two full orange bags of clippings for the dump, when I learned that I had to make yet another call before we could be under way. I made the call. We then arrived at the dump just after it had closed.
A trip to the forest was in order.
Only a few specimen trees were beginning to change into their autumn robes. The others still retained their summer garb.
Smoky indigo clouds swirled over the moors,
the sun only periodically piercing their cover,
and lighting up the ponies,
cattle,
and donkeys wandering about East Boldre,
where a woman had stopped her car and unloaded boxes of apples for their delectation.
Tanner’s Lane beach was awash with the highest tide we had ever seen there. As we contemplated this we reflected that, had this been today, Emma might have been under water.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s superb beef and mushroom pie; sautéed potatoes, carrots, and Brussels sprouts; and broccoli al dente. She drank Hoegaarden, and I drank an excellent Finca Flichman reserve malbec 2015, given to me by Helen and Bill for my birthday.
Those moody clouds no doubt reflected the way you felt. I hope the autumn colour lifted your spirit.
True, Mary. Well spotted. Thanks very much.
What a story Derrick, and a great way to balance yourself out again…and sharing your beautiful views with us, many thanks for that, so beautiful!
Thank you very much, Agnes
Your foliage is beautiful. With our temperatures still in the mid 80’s and high humidity, we’re not getting much color so far.
Thanks a lot, Jill. That is hot.
Emma certainly would’ve been in hot water.
🙂 Thanks a lot Bruce. Witty as ever
A lovely splash of autumnal colour there Derrick, to accompany that high tide. Fate was kind to Emma when she decided to bog her down earlier rather than later……..
You bet, Pauline. Thanks a lot
I hope Mother Nature, Jackie’s cooking, and the Malbec helped bring your blood pressure down.
Beautiful photos, as always. (And I’m glad Emma wasn’t there today.)
Very kind comments, Merril. Thank you.
You are quite welcome, Derrick.
Your best photos yet!
Wow. Thank you, Rekha
Loved the magnificent Autumn foliage …
Thanks a lot, Ivor. It will get better.
Love the Autumn color, we’re still waiting on ours, and sadly, on the cooler temperatures. Those clouds though…awesome.
Many thanks, Van
Ah, asses and dark clouds – a banking postscript.
Someday very soon I’m going to visit that forest and see the ponies and horses and asses in person.
Such an insightful opening comment, Susanne. Thanks very much.
Lord, this mortgage is a nightmare. I’m sorry. So glad you have Jackie and excursions, humor and photos to get you through.
Many thank, Jodie. Would you believe that only yesterday, almost two months on, were we told we must provide a fresh insurance certificate stating the Lender’s interest in the property – the sum is less than 10% of the value of the house!
Wow – I’d be tempted to be done with them and go find a better deal elsewhere. I deal with government agencies, insurance agencies, and finance agencies quite a bit in my bookkeeping work. And I hate them all.
My problem is that the solicitors have to be on the mortgage lenders’ panel. We can’t appoint our own. Mind you, when this is all over I suspect they will not be approved much longer! Beware the wrath of a patient man.
Beware the wrath of a patient man with a way with words.
🙂
Those are great portraits of trees, especially the one at the bend of the road. I look forward to the treat, come Autumn. High tides have always mystified me. It is as if there is a force that is saying something to the wee creatures of the land. It always brings to my mind Pablo Neruda’s quizzical piece:
”When I see the sea again
has the sea seen me or hasn’t it seen me?
Why the waves ask me
The same that I ask them?
And why do they hit the rock
With such a futile enthusiasm?
Don’t they get tired of repeating
their declaration to the sand?”
Many thanks, Uma, especially for the apt poem
Great poem…
That’s lovely, Uma.
Thanks.
She’s small enough though, she might’ve floated. 🙂
I love your trips to the forest. Thank you for taking readers along, Derrick!
Do you still have a lot of read seaweed washing up on the beach?
Thanks very much, Lavinia. That was on another beach, albeit not far away. We haven’t been back since. I’ll have another look next time
Lovely colours!
Thank you, Rupali
Gotta give you credit Derrick, negotiating a mortgage could be me slap into a stroke!!
You know I love the horses and miss the season changes!
I wrote this about a year ago for a photo Dina took over at Dina’s World
To only have an autumn
As grand as I see here
I’d surrender all my palm trees
And shed a thankful tear.
Thanks a lot, GP. Lovely poem
Thanks. Just something that popped into my head.
Nice!
Hope you are feeling better, that drive viewing Autumn colors and then the water were lovely
Many thanks, Lynn. I tend to let out my frustrations, so I’m fine thanks. The unbelievably bad legal service continues, however.
Its so nice to be able to get it out!! So wonderful to have this community?
The forest, ponies, and the sea are just the thing to recover from a stressful day. I’m sure Jackie’s fine cooking soothes as well.
Many thanks, Laurie. Quite so.
Your pictures are just amazing! Nature is still the best healer …
Many thanks, Cecilia. The healer comment especially appreciated.
Lucky the ponies got the apples before you could get your hands on them, I suppose you used to go a scrumping as a lad eh?
Many thanks, Brian. You will love this one: https://derrickjknight.com/2012/10/10/oiling-the-lion/
I certainly do 😀
I certainly know how some telephone conversations can make our blood rise Derrick.. Thankfully the calming trees and colours I am sure brought you back in alignment.. They certainly had that effect upon me..
Wonderful pictures.. 😀
Very many thanks, Sue
🙂
That telephone call was nothing because the remainder of the day was superb. You live in a lovely spot.
Many thanks, Pamela
Beautiful autumnal robes, artistically captured and displayed,
With skies that show a seasons shift from warm to so much cooler days!
Although, not this weekend, from the predictions that I see,
An Indian Summer falls, then before a hurricane flees!
Great posts the last few days Derrick (couldn’t resist the above I’m afraid – kinda fell off the keyboard! 🙂 )
Many thanks, Rob. I like what fas off your keyboard 🙂
? thanks Derrick!
You did well to produce such a selection of shots from a dull day. A lesson to us all.
Thanks very much, Quercus
I love donkeys, they seem even more cute than ponies and horses. The scenery is always like a beneath of fresh air, Derrick.
Damn WP interference. Thanks, Robin
On my comment, a correction: Breath, not beneath. ?
I was also happy you took individual photos of the beautiful trees. ??
I like their shapes and the great quality of your photos, Derrick.
Very many thanks, Robin. WP interfering, I expect