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Yesterday evening we enjoyed the usual excellent food and friendly efficient service in the perfect company of Elizabeth, Danni, and Andy, at Dynasty Indian restaurant in Brockenhurst. This family grouping is always full of stories, fun, and catching up with current events. So it was then.
When John Keats penned his immortal line ‘Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness’ he was not thinking of Spring. This morning, one could have been forgiven for thinking so. Well, at least the ‘mists’ image. As I stood peering into the film covering Lymington River, a gull winged its way into view, alighted on a circular yellow buoy, and quickly sped off again.
I crossed the road and leant on a rail chatting to a little family who were on their way to the quay for a crabbing expedition. I was able to tell them about the reed beds, and thatching. One little girl told me that her Mummy had a coat like my jacket. “Well, it’s red. But longer”, she added.
On leaving Lymington we followed a pair of cyclists up the hill towards the east. These two had the good sense to stay in single file and on our side of the road. We are accustomed to and accepting of this. Whilst I can fully understand the joy of cycling for exercise, I cannot fathom why anyone would charge around bends on our narrow lanes two abreast. This happened twice today. On the second occasion a large group was involved. Fortunately our vehicle is a Modus, not a large lorry.
Donkeys were just about visible at Tanner’s Lane. Three grazed in the field against the backdrop of a burgeoning rape crop; another pair chomped on dry seaweed on the shingle.
An angler in a boat would not have been able to see the Isle of Wight behind him; a black-headed gull floated nearer the shore.
As we drove away from the beach, a decidedly grey pony, deviating at the last minute, headed straight for us.
Fat pheasants wandered quite leisurely around this area. Why, we wondered, would one decide to cross Sowley Lane?
Ah. There’s the answer.
Bright purple aubretia lit up the ancient stone wall alongside the ruins of St Leonard’s granary, beside which
drowsed representatives of the usual group of ponies. Before the rains set in, the chestnut against the rusting fence rails would not have been able to enjoy admiring its mirrored image. What, perhaps, these photographs cannot display is the absolutely still silence conveyed by these creatures.
Only the tiny Falabella raised an eyebrow as I approached.
This afternoon a smiling sun warmed the garden from a cloudless blue sky.
This evening we dined on smoked haddock fish cakes, piquant cauliflower cheese, mashed potato and swede, and carrots and broccoli, with which I finished the Comino Nuevo.
A: To become a ghentleman.
😀
Very clever, Cynthia. I guessed where you were coming from, but had to Google it to be sure. 🙂 Thanks very much
A: because it’s not chicken.
Nice one Mary
Excellent photos.
Thanks very much, Rabirius
Who’d a thunk such evocative photos could be captured on such a dull day. As for the pheasant, he was trying to catch a ride on a pony.
🙂 Thanks very much, Susanne
Misty days to make for amazing pictures! I can well imagine the silence around the sleepy horses. Sometimes we walk on the beach in the very early morning in the mist and the trotting ponies come out of it on their daily exercise run, no sound until they are almost on us……….
Thanks very much, Pauline
I get a kick out of your menus each night. What a feast every day!
We have wild burros that roam around the area–are the donkeys wild?
Love all your nature shots and John Keats is the best.
Thanks very much, Cindy. The donkeys are owned by commoners who have historic pasturage rights. That means they are free to roam – and have right of way on the roads 🙂
Boy, what a difference in the weather, Derrick. Your misty morning shots are lovely, but I do prefer the cheery garden shots!
Thanks very much, Jill. I added the garden shots to show just how much our days can change
I was relieved to see the sunny photos at the end, although the misty photos are very beautiful.
Thank you very much, Jane
A grand journey, Derrick. I’m off to do a lake to lake walk. Cheers.
Enjoy. Thanks a lot, Frank
Your garden looks fabulous already. I like the river and the reeds, and your donkeys always make me smile.
Very many thanks, Lisa
I love your posts Derrick. You are a charming story teller, and you take lovely photos. Then their is always the menu for your supper that sounds so very yummy! I know I’ll be showing my American ignorance but what is the swede you often mention? Have a blessed Sunday, N 😉 <3
Thanks a lot, Natalie. It is your rutabaga. Good wishes reciprocated
Oh ok! Glad to know what it is. Good wishes right back to you too Derrick❣️?
Beautiful!
Thanks very much, Arlene
Isn’t the sun glorious? 😀 … when it does deign to pay us a visit, that is. 🙂
Sure is. That’s why I just had to add the last section. Thanks very much, Widders
Looks like you had a fun day out! Loved the chance to see all the animals/birds myself ?.
Very many thanks, Helen
Just loved your post.
Thank you very much, Shreya
I’ve been struggling to get any decent shots in the mist this morning. I’ll use these shots as a lesson and think more positively next time I’m out.
Thanks very much, Quercus. My policy is take what’s there, if this is a diary. If it’s murky, show it. Saves an awful lot of enhancing stuff 🙂
Good plan. 🙂
The post carries two very different sets of images. The sunny frames look crispier compared to the soggy, fog-blanketed expanses.
All in one day, too, Uma. That’s England. Thanks very much
We’ve been suffering some cold and wet weather this weekend, and it was so pleasant to view your sunny afternoon garden photos.
The misty pictures are so pretty! The reflection of trees in the water is lovely. I wonder what the red coat looks like haha
Another wonderful tour of countryside
All I could be reasonably sure about was that it was long and red 🙂 many thanks, Lynn
Haha so cute
It certainly was. What is important to a little girl 🙂
Yes so true
Oh yes, and there she was just across the road…
🙂 Many thanks, Pamela
to escape becoming dinner no doubt <3 loving the ponies Derrick, always makes me smile to see your pics of the fuzzy wuzzy beasties <3
Many thanks, Kim
Lovely pictures Derrick.
Thanks very much, Rupali
Sunshine at last, after an exciting morning of fog, bikers, birds, and ponies.
🙂 Thanks very much, Laurie
Lovely shots–liked the boaters and the horses a lot. Your garden is perking up bit by bit. 🙂
Thanks very much, Cynthia
The mist makes for some beautiful melancholy photos.
I imagine many a male has crossed the road for much the same reason.
It looks like you had a lovely day.
I remember crossing a room many years ago. Jackie was with a friend who rather fancied me. “You’re in luck,” said Jackie, “he’s coming over” – but, sadly, not for her friend. 🙂 Thanks very much, Merril
Awww! 🙂
Lovely photos, Derrick. The mist is hauntingly beautiful. I would fully expect some magical thinking occurs there involving the parting of the mists, perhaps Avalon style.
Thanks very much, Cheryl. Nice thought
We have had so much cold fog and mist during the past week! I love all the photographs you took in the murk. We also have the same problems with cyclists that you have – they take such risks!
Thanks very much, Clare. One pair came straight at us round the bend. Jackie had to hug the hedge
Great images Derrick.
Thanks a lot, Andrew
Moody! Love these.
Many thanks, Leslie
Wonderful to see your garden blooming Derrick and yes ‘the season of mists’ I was surely a weird old week even up here in the midlands. Not exactly nice bike riding weather. or driving any vehicle..
hope you have a great week Derrick.. 🙂
You, too, Sue. Many thanks
:-\)