This afternoon Jackie and I left the others at home and set off for a trip into the forest., which was becoming rather congested. In fact we didn’t venture much beyond Brockenhurst where
donkeys at the ford were arousing interest
or wandering off into the traffic.
Bikers and
cyclists made their way through the Watersplash. Seconds after I photographed this young lady she was showered with spray from an oncoming car.
A small boy played in the gravel beside the ford, oblivious of the family enjoying ice creams behind him and reflected in the stream.
There were plenty of signs on this warm and sunny afternoon that the holiday season has begun. People of all ages, shapes, and sizes, some complete with dogs, enjoyed splashing about in Highland Water, or simply watching others or conversing in the shade.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s superb chicken jalfrezi with savoury rice and parathas. The Culinary Queen drank Hoegaarden, Ian Kronenbourg 1664, and Louis water while I drank more of the Pinot Noir.
fantastic post derrick with great photography
Thanks very much Obaid
I can’t believe that a motorist would be so inconsiderate as to go through a watersplash when a cyclist is crossing! He deserved having a dollop of mud plastered over his windscreen.
Or lobbed through his window. Thanks a lot, Leslie
Great shots!
Thanks very much, Hollie
How quickly your photos have moved from lone walkers or riders to multi groups of folks enjoying the warmer days ……. While Siddy’s walks are turning from his preferred multi meetings to the lone variety as the weather closes in. I love seeing these contrasts across the globe!
An enlightening perspective, Pauline. Thanks very much. X
Looks like it’s the season for soaking one’s feet. I’m surprised that female cyclist would travel through the heavy traffic without wearing a helmet. Great shots, Derrick!
Thanks a lot, Jill. No lycra, either 🙂
And wearing sandals, too!
🙂
It is a different feel to the photos. Lovely
Thanks very much, Gary
A veritable paradise.
Thanks very much, Tootlepedal
What a crowd of happy folks. Love how you captured all the activity.
Thanks very much, Leslie
What crowds! Wonderful photos as always, Derrick. Happy Easter!
Thanks very much, Clare. And to you
🙂
I’m having crushing weather envy as I wander from image to image of people in shorts and sleeveless tops. Today I wore a heavy raincoat, gloves, boots and a hat when I walked the dog. The dog, too, wore a coat and boots. I could use a glass of your pinot noir to warm up. Thanks for the lovely break from a Canadian spring (aka “Winter lite”.)
Thanks very much, Susanne. Sorry about the contrast
Looks like a wonderful day
It was, Mrs W. Thanks very much
Your welcome
What a wonderful prelude to summer, Derrick! I know we can look forward to many more posts like this from you this summer. Always enjoy your photography!
Thanks very much, Diane
Looks like so much old-timey fun. Memories of school picnics at the Westover bridge…
It certainly was, Judy. Thanks very much
It is a spirit-lifting post. Holidaying is in the air and every pixel of those photographs. I wonder what has engrossed the boy in the gravel? I want to play with him! The joy and lightness are infectious.
Many thanks, Uma. I wondered that, too. He was there quite a long time
The photos and the comments were such a fun read.
Thanks very much, Kalpana
Beautiful weather! Beautiful people! Wonderful activities! Wonderful photos, Derrick!
🐇 🌷 🥚 🐇 🌷 🥚 🐇 🌷 🥚
Hippty-Hoppy Easter to you, Jackie, and all of your family!
HUGS!!! 🙂
And to you and yours, Carolyn. Thanks very much X
Happy photos of happy families. You certainly captured everyone’s delight in our late Easter, early summer sun. Glorious isn’t it?
It is indeed. Thanks very much, Sue
It looks like spring has turned to early summer there, and everyone is eager to be outside enjoying it. Your photos show that delight. I agree about the young boy so busy in the gravel.
25C. Thanks very much, Merril
Looks like from here on out, your pictures will have far more people in them. Tis the season!
🙂 Thanks very much, GP
Looks a popular spot! 🙂 Lovely snapshots Derrick.
The Indian sounds nice. It was Mum’s birthday onSaturday so i got Chinese from the local and we had leftovers for dinner tonight! 🙂
Enjoy the rest of the Holiday! 🙂
You too, Bob. Thanks very much
I enjoyed the photos from your day in the forest, Derrick and Jackie! I looks like it is becoming busier with the warmer weather.
It is indeed, Lavinia. Traditionally our bank holiday weathers are atrocious – not so this year. Thanks very much
Good to see such happy moments for so many families.
Thanks very much, Rupali
Great set of photos, Derrick. Looks like a typical English holiday weekend. At Easter and on bank holidays, our dad would always insist that we join in the traffic jams and we consequently spent more time in the car than at our destination. 😀 I had to look up what a parathus is and I’m still not sure.
A paratha is an Indian bread – flat and fried in oil. Thanks very much, Sylvia
Thanks. 😃
I love this place and you do it justice by your photos. I could easily spend a whole day here on the banks of the water, occasionally walking through and getting wet, and watching families play. That’s a funny photo of the man on the bench taking a shot of the donkey only two feet away! ha ha
Excellent reflection picture.
Yesterday we returned home from Cornwall and after stopping inn Cirencester to meet a blogging pal drove through the Cotswolds. That was what I call congested, the whole area is just completely overrun and spoilt!
We do rather dread it and generally don’t go out much at the weekends. Thanks a lot, Andrew
Happy Easter, Derrick! You had a delightful trip and took some fantastic photos. I love the reflections, and of course the donkey 🙂
Thanks very much, Inese. I hope you have had a good time
Thank you, yes, a great time with such a lovely weather 🙂
Great to see so many people enjoying themselves outside.
Thanks very much, Laurie
Sunny and lovely, thank you for the great photos. They always brighten my morning
I’m pleased. Pleasant. Thanks very much
It gets pretty crowded there during the season; I am surprised, Derrick
We have to wait in line for half an hour to get through Lyndhurst, the main town. Thanks very much, Dolly
My pleasure, Derrick. I am sure you use the waiting time productively to take those marvelous photos.
🙂
Just as seat belts are compulsory for motorist, so helmets are compulsory for cyclists, here in Oz,
I think it’s a silly idea. They should just ban cyclists from the roads instead!
Nice pictures of people as well as the animals, they all seem to be enjoying the nice day, making the most of it too I imagine, they really have no idea when the next one will come along do they 😈
Thanks a lot, Brian. There is quite a controversy in the forest: some want to ban the cyclists, others encourage them for the tourist income
I vote for the ban!
Spring has finally come. You are fortunate to live where flowers grow in March. Your pictures are simply beautiful. Best.
Very many thanks, Micheline