This Wednesday weather was warm, wet, yet unwilling to welcome the slightest sign of sunshine.
Jackie and I visited Lyndurst for a little Christmas shopping then enjoyed
brunch at Lyndhurst Tea Rooms, after which we took a trip by car into the dripping forest.
A clutch of chickens at East Boldre
gave the cold shoulder to
a pair of geese who were no doubt discussing their chances of making it through Christmas.
Peering through the misty precipitation from the end of Tanner’s Lane I presumed that EU regulations have not restricted the activities of the sole fishing boat trawling The Solent at that point.
On such a day as this, loggers burning branches at Norley Wood surely had no need of the flames to keep them warm.
A string of ponies blocking the road at Pilley conveniently stepped aside, just giving me time to bring up the tail.
We retuned home via Burnt House Lane, where there was no flame in sight.
Tomorrow morning, Elizabeth will be driving Mum to a respite care home in Netley. In readiness for this, friends Pauline and Jo sent Elizabeth this photograph, attached to a text with the caption
Cheering up your Mum.
On the wall to the far right of this picture is a charcoal portrait of Elizabeth watching our first television that I made about 60 years ago.
This evening we dined on smoked haddock; creamy mashed potatoes; piquant cauliflower cheese; moist ratatouille; crisp carrots; and tender runner beans. Jackie drank Hoegaarden and Elizabeth and I drank Western Cape Malbec 2018.
The food of kings and I wasn’t talking about the chickens. All the better for 2 fried eggs.
🙂 Thanks very much, Dad
Lunch looked good. Seasons greeting to Mum and family
Thanks very much, Drew.
Imagine if the geese were actually having that conversation 🙂 Your mum is looking frail but cheerful. Sending love!
Thanks very much, Pauline 🙂
The geese… Oh no!
Many thanks, Kavitha
OOH! Geese and chickens! 🙂 Maybe the chickens know the geese can be bossy and aggressive so they are not encouraging any social activities with them! 😉 I’ve lived next door to geese…they are good watch-dogs! 😮 🙂
OOH! Maybe the chickens don’t want to associate with the geese because they don’t want The Christmas Chicken to catch on! 😉 😀 Ha! what you said about the geese discussion made me laugh out loud! 😀
Your beautiful Mum looks happy! I’m so glad! 🙂
Your brunch looks so delicious and filling! 🙂
That is so wonderful that your charcoal drawing is on the wall! Great artwork, Derrick, and it is sweet, too! 🙂
Gentle (((HUGS))) to all, but especially your Mum! 🙂
Thanks very much, Carolyn, for your usual close reading and careful comments X
I enjoyed the trip through the dripping forest, something we wouldn’t often do! You mum looks like a marvellous with it lady.
Thanks very much, Jane
Glad to see your mum looking so cheery. I hope she settles in quickly at her respite home.
Thanks very much, Susan
No fair showing food! Your mum is adorable.
Many thanks, Flower
Aw…your mum looks so sweet, Derrick. What a fantastic photo!
Thanks very much, Jill
Lovely photo of your mum Derrick. Hope she settles in well. As for those geese and chickens, they’d better not cross the road. 😏
Many thanks, Miriam 🙂
Great picture of your Mom Derrick. I know she will be much better under full accessible care in her new home. I pray that your Mom will have a smooth transition and enjoy the new location and adjust very quickly.
Thanks very much, Gary. You know very well how it is
Adorable chickens and lovely to have eggs anytime of the day, LOL.<3
Thank you very much, Laleh
My pleasure.<3
Your Mom looks wonderful! Good luck tomorrow getting her settled in. Hope all goes well.
Thanks very much, Lavinia
Great outing. Your mum great.
Thanks a lot, Peggy. Even on a dull day there is something to be found
Your Mum does look cheered. I hope she gets stronger soon.
Thanks very much, Lisa.
You and your all day breakfasts! 😉
Love the photos – as usual. 🙂
Jackie is impressed that you have already picked up the breakfasts. Thanks very much, Bob
Haha! – you don’t exactly try to hide it, huh?
I’m sure after all the walking it is much needed. 🙂
🙂
Wonderful to have friends who are there for your mother. All the best to her in her new home, and a happy holiday season to you all!
Thanks very much, Dolly. Your good wishes reciprocated
My pleasure, Derrick
I loved the photo of your mother. Do you still make charcoal portraits? I always like your posts with the beautiful photos. Regards
Many thanks, Lakshmi. Photography is my dominating medium at the moment. It does rather fluctuate. X
It’s always nice to see country scenery. Your mom is looking good Derrick 🙂
Thanks very much, Arlene
Another good one, Derrick – you did it again. Family, good food, friends and animals!! Ummm… I haven’t made goose in long time, I wonder……. 🙂
Many thanks, GP. I won’t tell the geese
The picture of your mother is wonderful, Derrick! She has a beautiful smile!
Thank you very much, Elizabeth
A lovley post – all of it. I’d love a full Monty English breakfast. I like the dark lane and cheering up Mom.
Thanks very much, Sherry
Your mom looks to be in very good spirits. Also, Beautiful pictures on the wall behind her.
Thanks very much, Laurie
I laughed at your comments about the cold shoulder and the geese conversation. I like the photo of the lane.
I hope all goes well with your mom. What I can see of your sketch looks excellent.
Very many thanks, Merril
The image of the twisting road through the trees in Burnt House Lane is a an absolute beauty. I am happy for your mum!
Thank you very much, Uma. That was a view from outside Elizabeth’s new house
Wonderful picture of your mum, Derrick. Hope she feels good in her new place.
The days are getting darker, but you still manage to take beautiful photographs.
Those wintry pictures are lovely, there’s a softness about them that summery pictures don’t have.the same appeal; well to me anyway!
Those eggs look a bit slap happy and unappetising; and went a bit over the top with the baked beans.
Thanks very much, Brian. I’m pleased you appreciated the light – that’s why I don’t enhance pics much. Brunch not the best presentation, but tasted good.