This being the second day of 50+ m.p.h. winds it seemed one to have a look at the waves on The Solent.
The sun lit the cliffs of the island and the waves on the skyline.
When I photographed the sea,
rocks, and spume on the sand
I was not alone;
one young woman, exhibiting enviable knee flexion, took a bird’s eye view.
When I grew tired of bracing myself against the gusts, we drove through Shirley Holms into the forest,
where, on Beachwood Lane, our new foal, still keeping close to her mother, and needing to suckle, looked more as if her legs belonged to her and could, to some extent, risk making our acquaintance.
Other ponies wandered about
and a group of cattle were accompanied by a young calf.
They soon wandered off down the lane in order to trim residents’ hedges.
Perhaps we were downwind of the deer which occasionally peered out from the distant undergrowth before gradually moving off under cover.
One of the fallen trees appeared to have been uprooted quite recently.
Our return journey took us along Bickley Common Road with its bluebells and cow parsley on the verges.
This evening we dined on roast chicken breasts; potatoes roasted with onions and mushrooms; and crisp carrots, cauliflower, and broccoli; followed by strawberries and cream. Jackie drank Hoegaarden and I drank Dragon Hills Pinot Noir 2017.
The foal is beautiful! And it is good to see the cattle are busy helping keep things tidy.
Thanks very much, Pauline
Wonderful gallery Derrick and seems like sea was rough.
Thanks very much, Rupali. Rough, indeed
Looking lovely just now, isn’t it?
Certainly, Geoff. Many thanks
Isn’t that wind too much! i find it annoying after a while, but what are you going to do? Well, spring sure is here – all the babies are out and about, plus the trees are green!
Does Jackie use any seasoning on her chicken?
She does. This time she used a little lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Thanks a lot, GP
Thank you.
Such a cute foal. I will be going up to Dartmoor next week, hope to see some!
Good luck. Thanks very much, Jessica
The forest road through Shirley Holms looks gorgeous, Derrick! Aw…that foal is adorable. Thanks for the lovely excursion.
Thank you very much, Jill
I think I’d pass on sailing to the I of W today!
The knee flexion was a studied attempt to annoy you!
Thanks very much, Leslie. We didn’t see any yachts
Why does that not surprise me?
🙂
Hoegaarden is a wise choice. Great photos. Do like a good cliff.
Thanks. very much, Gary
A fascinating pictorial journal – as ever. Pleased to find your publications continue, Derrick. I was concerned that you might have given up, but I must, somehow and unintentionally, unsubscribed myself.
I don’t think it was your error, Roland. It is not an unusual problem. Thanks very much
Beautiful photos–I couldn’t pick a favorite–the waves, the paths, that adorable foal, and the cow keeping the bush shaped. . .
Your dinner sounds like spring.
Thanks very much, Merril. Dinner warmed us up. We have run out of heating fuel and the temperature has dropped.
Oh no! That doesn’t sound good. I hope you get more fuel (for just in case), and the temperature warms up again soon.
🙂
That foal is adorable! Wonderful shot!
Thanks very much, Laurie
A grand contrast between the rough sea and the peace and quiet of the sunlit lane.
I’m pleased you liked that, Tootlepedal. Thanks very much
We have had two days of high winds. So I work outside until I am tired and than move inside for a while.
I hope your winds lessen. Ours have. Thanks very much, Mrs W.
It did in late afternoon.
The foal, the deer, the cow browsing the hedge and the quiet lane; all fabulous pictures!
Thank you very much, Clare
The isles look like a procession of carriages pulled by a steam engine. For a moment I want to be that young woman engrossed in photography. The long-legged colt is full of grace and innocence. The quiet lanes of the woods beckon my heart.
Thank you very much, Uma. I wish you could share all this in person
Hi Derrick! Belated Easter Wishes. The deer in your header is sublime. So peaceful in the sunlight, just enjoying life. I love that ponies and cows are just wandering on the roads and having a snack at will were ever they have the notion. I should think that keeps the motor vehicles traveling slower and with more caution than here in the wild west of Canada. Terrible drivers here, usually speeding along in a giant pickup trucks :/ The sea looked wicked and fierce that day! Not a hat day, that’s for sure 😀 Cheers, xB
Many thanks, Boomdee
So glad you didn’t get Gone With the Wind-ed! Hope the winds subside soon!
That little foal and the young calf just made me grin so BIG! 🙂
Love the hedge-trimmer busy at work! 😀
The photos of the photographers taking photos are wonderful! 🙂
Thank you, once again, for taking us along with you! 🙂
HUGS to you and Jackie! 🙂
Very many thanks, Carolyn. Wind lessened today. X
What a sweet foal and lovely pictures of it!
Thanks very much, John
I love watching the choppy seas, from a safe distance of course! Not so sure the lady photographer was wise to place herself so close to the waves on such a day.
Your photographs are stunning Derrick and I thank you for the photographic tour which i thoroughly enjoyed. ?
Much appreciated, Sue. Thank you
So much beauty! I wish my knees still did that as well. I was at an event at which I dropped a cake last evening. Yes, the better part of a cake. And I was having trouble getting down to it to scrub up, when my friend dropped to her knees and made quick work of it. I was grateful, and a little envious
🙂 I identify with that envy of more flexible friends. Thanks very much, Pleasant
Surf’s Up! Well, the swell is swell, anyway! (That’s (most of) my wave puns used up – i’ll stop now. 🙂
Another wonderful ramble from the beach to the beeches! Lovely photo’s Derrick!
That foal is just gorgeous. 🙂
Glad the winds are easing and hope they have not affected your garden too much!?
Garden OK, Bob, Like your beach/beeches. Thanks very much
Your day consisted of contrasts, indeed. Lovely pictures.
Thanks very much, Cindy
Great dramatic close-up of the Needle’s lighthouse! 😀 … that baby posed so elegantly for her own close-up too. 😀
Thanks very much, Widders. That’s the first time I have used the 600m lens on the island
I remember the first time I looked at young people and envied their knees… 🙂
🙂 Thank you v very much, Quercus
🙂 I also envy your fine new gleaming knees…
🙂
Great scenic photographs Derrick, your work well with your camera and capture the scene completely.
Many thanks, Ian
Beautiful shots of the foal.
Thanks very much, Crystal
Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful photos! They are enchanting. I just recently discovered your blog. So glad I did. Where do you live? I am near Houston, Texas. Like you, my knees are not so flexible and my legs not so strong. Thanks for taking me along on your lovely journey. Janet
Many thanks, Janet. We are in England’s New Forest in Hampshire
Those young animals are so sweet and innocent, just have yo love them.
Those needles still look like something else to me, the one closest to land definitely a ship