It was a shame that we were only due sunshine and lack of rain this morning, because I needed to be at home for the Openreach engineer engaged by BT. I won’t dwell on this, but, although the man turned up on time the problem is not resolved. It didn’t help that he hadn’t been told what Friday’s engineer had done and that he had been sent for an installation rather than a repair. Another technician is to attend tomorrow.
I did manage to wander round the garden before heavy rain set in for the afternoon.
We have numerous hellebores;
a prolific variety of camellias;
iris reticulatas;
and snowdrops coming into bloom throughout.
One of the occupants of the Dragon Bed cradles her egg;
another has recovered well after Aaron’s spinal surgery.
After lunch, with raindrops splattering on the roof of the car and slaloming down the windscreen, we took a drive into the forest.
The watery Black Lane, in the murk, lived up to its name.
Many of our roads are now irrigated by overflowing ditches and waterlogged fields.
Braggers Lane, with its
rippling reflective bubbling pools stretching alongside, is a good example.
Despite the banked verges, the fields are very generous with their excess water.
Woodland is a little meaner.
A group of horses, some wearing waterproof rugs, simply tolerated the downfall.
Further along, on Thatchers Lane, fallen. lichen-coated branches, recently at home on dry land, are reflected in their own pools. Drinks cans now bob beside them.
Long haired goats foraged in the grass alongside Fish Street. One inquisitive creature raised its head briefly before getting on with its late lunch.
Sheep sheltering on London Lane wondered why I was standing there getting wet.
At Avon thatchers seemed to have called it a day. It seemed a good idea, so we set off for home.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s nicely matured sausage casserole; crisp roast potatoes; firm Brussels sprouts; and tricolour carrots with which I finished the Malbec.
your pictures are fabulous. nature makes any form of water so beautiful!
What a beautiful pie! It even has patterns on the crust.
Jackie’s presentation – she always makes pastry patterns. Thanks very much, John
We’ve had some much needed rain this week too. Lovely photos Derrick, really evocative of spring.
Many thanks, Sheree
I was about to nip off and find out what an amanogawa was when the photos of the meal entered my vision and I was captured……….. what a splendidly scrumptious looking feast!!
It was, indeed, Pauline. An amanogawa is a (?Japanese) cherry tree that grows tall and narrow. Thanks a lot
Lovely, thank you 🙂
Your raindrops are lovely. We could use some rain ourselves, and may be gifted with some this weekend. Unfortunately, I don’t think I’ll be gifted with such a superb looking pie!
Many thanks Linda.
Wow! I think you need a bigger plate! Beautiful photos, Derrick. Spring is so beautiful, but we pay the price sometimes with violent weather.
Thanks very much, Jill
Damp and dreary outside, but full of warmth and light inside. Pauline’s light catcher has caught some. Jackie’s pie is beautiful!
Thanks very much, Merril
Lovely pie!!!!
Thanks a lot, Flower
I love how you get colour in such damp conditions
Thanks a lot, Gary
It rained here too. The pie looks delicious. In one of those tricks of the eye, I originally read ‘Jackie’s crunchy steak and mushroom pie’. Relieved to find out it was the carrots.
Years ago, when Mat and Becky were small they made a cottage pie at our in-laws. When we had trouble chewing on it we discovered it had been made with dog mince. Thanks very much, Susan
I suppose it’s the thought that counts…
🙂
Soooooo mouth-watering. Stop that now!
🙂 Thanks a lot, Donna
Your watery rainy photos are amazing and beautiful! I love rain! 🙂 So glad the plants and flowers are getting a shower! 🙂
OHMYGOSH! Jackie’s sunny-sun-face pie is perfect for a rainy gloomy day! 🙂 Please tell her that her pie made me smile so big! 🙂
HUGS!!! 🙂
Thanks very much, Carolyn X
Did you at any time find raindrops that kept falling on your head?
Yes – we had a leak from the Velux window. How did you know, Tootlepedal? Thanks a lot.
I absolutely love rain pictures! 🙂 These ones were very relaxing and lovely to look at. Also, please give me that pie. 🙂
Many thanks, M.B. Sorry – no pie left 🙂
I completely understand! 🙂
🙂
I love the photo of rainy window, looking out-and that light catcher. Here we call them sun catchers.
Yes, also rain in the Pacific NW most of each day and for another 7-10 they say. I hope the weather people are wrong, time for a change. Today gloomy but not many drops of the stuff so will walk more happily soon.
Love the table setting shot (and with nice people :)).
Very many thanks, Cynthia.
I love the watery photos and Pauline’s lightcatcher!
Thanks very much, Luanne
A wonderful collection of photos and moments.
Thanks very much, John
Oh I’m jealous, such a scrumptious home cooked meal Derrick, way above bachelor’s cooking…..
Thanks a lot, Ivor. Way above mine, too
Oh I’m jealous, such a scrumptious home cooked meal Derrick, way above bachelor’s cooking…..
The rains have inspired exquisite food photography which wouldn’t have been possible but for Jackie’s exceptional cooking skills.
Very many thanks, Uma
That pie looks to beautiful to cut up. But I suppose Jackie can make another one soon. Nothing like a hearty meal on a dreary day. Enjoyed your soggy photos, Derry.
Many thanks, Sylvia
This was certainly not the kind of weather to venture outside, but the photos are marvelous, Derrick. Jackie’s pie looks fantastic!
Thank you very much, Dolly
Very welcome, Derrick
If only we’d got some of your rain here, so you could have ventured further afield and my pond could have filled up a bit!
You would be welcome, Helen. Thanks very much
😀
Looks like we are both have those April showers – so hopefully they’ll bring May flowers! I know Jackie’s and your garden certainly will.
Many thanks, GP
Beautiful, beautiful pie, which I bet tasted as good as it looks. Sweet top picture with your grandson leaning against you.
Thanks very much, Laurie
Aww – the poor petunias in the rain! 🙁 The Hellebores don’t seem to mind it though?
That is indeed a seriously superb looking pie – and i imagine every bit as delicious as it looks. Please pass on my compliments to Head Chef! 😉
Will do, Bob. Many thanks
Love images of rain. I get nostalgic for all the English rain. And I love Jackie’s mouth watering food. Thanks for the treat Derrick.
Many thanks, Sherry
Love that trivet! 😀
IKEA – do you have them over there? Thanks a lot, Widders
Hah! I knew I’d seen it somewhere. 🙂
Enjoyed your ‘rainy’ photographs. Beautiful.
Thanks very much, Inese. From you, that is much appreciated
Thank you 🙂 Your compositions are of my favorite kind – they tell a story, but leave some things unsaid.
🙂
Beautiful raindrops and gorgeous pie! I have such sympathy with Jackie and those alliums! I have allium infestation too, though by the looks of the ones on your path, mine are a little smaller.
Many thanks, Clare. They love our soil and compost
I’m sure they do!
That’s a decent looking pie, I could almost taste it. Steak and mushrooms, love it the War Office hates mushrooms :'(