This afternoon we collected repeat prescriptions from the Pharmacy at Milford on Sea.
The Needles and their lighthouse had transmogrified into a red-eyed sea monster.
As equally calm as the Solent was the surface of Hatchet Pond with its skimming waterfowl and shimmering landscape.
While a photographer peered into the sun a friendly gull stood guard on a disabled parking space.
This was useful because the waters of the lake had encroached on the overspill car park, and partially iced over providing looking glasses for the surrounding trees.
A pair of magpies – two for joy – and a nippy little wagtail foraged on the banks.
One chestnut pony at East Boldre cropped the verge while another mowed the lawn beside a stretch of winterbourne water.
Today’s sign of post-operative progress was being able to dine at the table where Jackie served a sweetly savoury sausage casserole containing pork chipolatas and larger varieties with caramelised onion. Also on the menu was creamy swede and potato mash; crunchy carrots and cauliflower; and curly kale.
The needles and surrounds knitted well today, and you must enjoy having graduated from being a lounge lizard when it comes to meals.
🙂 Yes, indeed, Leslie. Thanks very much
Derrick, Glad you health continues to improve and that you can sit at the table to eat Jackie’s delicious meals!
Many thanks, Gary
Happy to hear that your recovery is progressing on schedule, Derrick. Pony with its reflection is marvelous!
Thanks very much, Dolly
My pleasure
Sausages are always welcome in winter!
Thanks a lot, Andrew
When daughter no 2 was having a drum lesson in a community centre, I somehow ended up babysitting the tutor’s four year old.
After exhausting other entertainments, I looked out of the window and saw a few Magpies on the cricket ground. Remembering the 70’s TV show I reeled off the the rhyme and got him to count with me.
Then more of the birds arrived. Then more.
Anyone know what 13 is for?
Thanks a lot, Chris. Good story. I can’t help with 13
It sounds like Jackie made a feast fit for a king! I love the magpies!
She did, indeed. Many thanks, Jill
You’ll be lucky to walk at all after eating all that good food.
🙂 That is true, Tootlepedal. Many thanks
Good to hear you are now dining at the table, Derrick! Beautiful photos from your day, as always.
Thanks very much, Lavinia
Good to hear progress is being made. Well done! Great shots of the magpies and pony. I don’t know the rhyme to which you refer – but like the ‘two for joy’ bit.
The rhyme is on Google (of course). Thanks very much, Pauline
Progress! And aren’t those magpies handsome.
Thanks very much, Laurie. Normally those birds disappear as soon as they see me.
They are corvids, just like crows. Very smart, very alert. Lucky to get a shot of those beauties.
How lovely that you can now make it to the table, Derrick. Wonderful photos–those magpies are so cute. I don’t think we have them here.
Thanks very much, Merril
I still cannot understand why The Needles are called The Needles; the samller one nearest the coast looks more like a motor yacht than a needle; the middle one looks to me like an Egyptian sarcophagus; (the right end looks like the toes turned up which adds to the illusion) and the 3rd one like a large country mansion, not exactly Pemberley but ….
Thanks very much, Brian. I’ll remember some of those 🙂
I think the sailors named them the ‘Needles’ because when you are approaching them at sea, you are looking at them edge on, they look more like needles, I love your descriptions of each one, tho’ I will probably still call them the Needles as it is quicker!
as is right and proper Jackie 🙂
🙂
Good to hear progress is being made – particularly with the dining! 😉 I love a creamy swede and potato mash. :-p
On the other side of the world we have both magpies and Willie Wagtails, the latter delight me with frequent visits to my garden. Ours though are much like your magpie’s colouration – Jet black head and back/tail with a white breast and ‘eyebrows’. Yours are much more intricately attired! 🙂
Our magpies are the size of a large crow with perhaps a tad more white markings and a beautiful warbling song (which can be often heard at almost any time of night in the breeding season).
YAY for your recovery progress! 🙂
I love your bird photos and your refection photos and your animal photos and…well… ALL of your photos! 🙂
The pony and it’s refection is just so beautiful and sweet!
We fixed chicken kebabs with chicken, 2 kinds of peppers, onions, 2 kinds of squash, etc. Then we fixed some green beans, too. YUMMY! 🙂
HUGS!!! 🙂
Thanks very much, Carolyn. I like your dinner reciprocation 🙂
You’re welcome!
I always enjoy hearing about your meal. And it gives me ideas of things to cook. Sometimes when I am fixing dinner I think, “I should tell Derrick and Jackie what I cooked tonight!” 😉 😀
🙂
What a fantastically delightful collection of pictures.
Just what I needed to cheer up Derrick!!!
Thanks very much, Efi
I love these simple natural frames.
Thanks very much, Rupali
Lovely images, Derrick. Happy to hear of your post-op progress of being able to dine at the table. 🙂
Thanks very much, Julie