“Look, He’s Posing”

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This morning Jackie drove us to Lymington for me to take photographs that might be suitable for the walls of Lal Quilla restaurant. Raj had asked me for some a couple of days ago.

I began with a few featuring the building itself.

Gosport Road

The surrounding area includes Gosport Street, and

Quay Hill,

Painter Quay Hill

where the painter working on Sophie’s stopped to pass the time of day with a passer-by.

Quay Hill 1

 The King’s Head stands on the corner diagonally opposite Lal Quilla, at the point at which the High Street turns at right angles into Gosport Street. The tavern’s website tells us that

‘Despite dating back at least 300 years, many of the original features of The Kings Head can still be seen today.

The pub is known to have originally also been a bakers back in the day and even now the old bakers oven is still standing, along with the old well which is featured at the centre of the pub.

When you visit The Kings Head you will see the long-lasting beams made from Napoleonic Ships that only add to the character of this old English pub.

The pretty courtyard that we see today was previously used for fish-drying, whilst the buildings adjacent to the yard were an abattoir and fishermans house.

Despite these drastic changes over time, the inside of the pub has remained somewhat the same and the great open fire that cannot be missed is at least 300 years old.

It is these characteristics that, when you visit, make it easy to imagine the pub back in the 18th Century as a regular haunt for the smugglers and sailors that would frequent this famous sailing town.

Sometimes, if you’re lucky, you may even see one of the old regulars who used to pick up pots in exchange for ‘grog’ as he has been said to return occasionally as the pubs very own friendly ghost…’

I doubt that Raj, the manager, would want all the pictures I have produced, such as those of two alleys that can be seen from inside the restaurant, but I did need to indulge myself.

Quay Street lies at the bottom of Quay Hill. The driver who left his van at bottom right of the second picture was to be disappointed when he attempted to deliver a package to a closed shop. Winter hours in these establishments are somewhat restricted. The Boat House Café featured in the first scene is where we brunched,

People on bench

after I had wandered along the quay photographing a row of people seated on a bench;

Young woman on wall

a young woman crouching cross-legged on a concrete wall;

Shadow of young woman

and another casting a long shadow as our paths crossed.

Train crossing harbour

The train aiming for the Isle of Wight ferry traversed the harbour.

Lymington Quay 1

A pair of oriental tourists walked towards The Ship Inn,

the windows of which rippled in the water.

We drove on through the forest and found ourselves at Pilley Bailey, where, knee deep in water or autumn leaves, a group of ponies enjoyed their alfresco lunch.

Pony crossing road

One of these animals decided to cross the road. As I turned to watch it, I noticed

a trio of alpaca and dog walkers.

Alpaca walkers 4

One of the ungulates stopped still, staring in my direction. “Look, he’s posing”, cried his guide, as she strained at the leash.

Clouds on horizon

We were a little late to catch the sunset at Barton on Sea, but the bank of clouds resting on the horizon gave a differently dramatic effect.

This evening Jackie, for our dinner, produced roast chicken, mashed potato, green and runner beans, cauliflower, carrots, and ratatouille. She drank sparkling water and I drank Chateau Bonhomme Minervois 2016.

 

57 comments

  9. I always enjoy the photos in your gallery or portfolio. Ponies are so healthy and display shiny coats. The alpacas are funny, especially one looking straight at your camera.
    The buildings and alleys are so pretty through your lens.

    Reply

  10. Mr Raj of Lal Quilla is in luck! Those are images rich in detail and composition. I was surprised by the posing alpacas whom for a moment I thought to be llamas. The Ship Inn in ripples looks surreal.

    Reply

  13. Shame if Raj doesn’t want the photos of alleys. I take a fair number of such.

    Anyway, I didn’t know that there was a train to the Isle of Wight. Is there a bridge then?

    Reply

  15. A day with brunch is a day to be treasured, so doubling up with alpacas makes it a true prince amongst days. They are real characters and are good for guarding poultry from predators. 🙂

    Great photos.

    Reply

  21. Spectacular comes to mind.
    Only thing that I didn’t quite like, and looked out of place, was that ghastly looking train. Had it been an old steam train billowing steam/smoke it would have been perfection.
    I’m not holding you responsible, not your fault that we no longer have the thrill of steam, just sad.

    Reply

    1. Yes, Brian. Modern trains are also very short of seating space. We do have quite a few small steam railways still running – all in the hands of dedicated volunteers. Thanks a lot

      Reply

      1. My fondest memory of steam trains, is roaring through the night in a blacked out train in 1944, it was from Crewe to London, not sure which LMS station, and the engine pulling the train was the Duchess of Gloucester,

        I can still see, and feel, the excitement as it steamed into the platform/station, although in it’s war paint, it was still the most magnificent looking thing I’d ever seen.

        Reply

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