Heavy rain this morning gave way to bright, sunny, spells; in one of which I photographed some raindrops
on roses, dahlia Puerto Rico, a begonia, a pelargonium, fuchias, and penstemons.
Japanese anemones had managed to stay dry.
It didn’t take Nugget long to join in, and
he was almost too quick for “Where’s Nugget?” (29)
Becky and Ian joined us late this afternoon and accompanied us to the Regent Centre in Christchurch where we watched “Downton Abbey”, then drove to Bowling Green to dine at The Wheel Inn. I will report on this tomorrow.
Not quick enough! I’m wondering if a theatre visit is required to make the most of the Downton setting, or if waiting for the DVD and telly sized viewing will be adequate……. do tell what you thought.
I wondered the same, Pauline – but it worked. Thanks very much.
I have come to the point that I almost always think it’s okay to wait for the DVD or stream. It looks good no matter what–I’m sure the production values are out of this world, but it’s a rare movie I want to see in the theatre these days and pay $13 for…when I can get it for $4 and sit on my own couch with it. Still, when it’s a group outing, it’s pretty nice to go out for it (no choice, given I’m watching on a laptop) and if the movie is such that it requires a big screen, I’m all for it.
We have only been to the cinema twice now in ten years – each in a group. TV is normally fine for us. Downton doesn’t actually require a big screen, but it is still good to see on it
Nice action shot of Nugget, Derrick! The flowers are gorgeous.
Thanks very much, Jill. Well spotted
Stunning flowers. Given the rain we got I think Water Lilies are needed here.
🙂 Thanks very much, Gary
The flowers look so nice.
Thanks very much, Rabirius
I am glad that the rain stopped and gave you the opportunity to take such fine raindrop shots.
Thanks a lot, Tootlepedal
“Raindrops and roses” are still my favorite things! You caught Nugget in flight, Derrick, in the top center of the photo. He is a blur, but recognizable.
Thanks very much, Dolly. Glad you got “raindrops and roses”, and well spotted
My pleasure, Derrick
The just-out-of-the-shower flowers are gorgeous! 🙂
“Look! It’s a plane! It’s Superman! No! It’s Nugget!” HA! 😀
Wonderful to share a film and a feast…a movie and a meal! 🙂 I can’t wait to hear about the movie! I’ve yet to see it! 🙂
HUGS!!! 🙂
Great comments, Carolyn. Thanks very much X
Eager to hear your review of Downton Abbey.
Many thanks, Sue
Nugget is so … Nugget. Your anemones are just the loveliest thing. I hope the Downton movie was enjoyable. I imagine lots of dramatic tension, triumph and tragedy. Not to mention some nice scenery. I forget where Highclere is located…
Thanks very much Lisa. The film was excellent. Highclere Castle, in Hampshire, is near Newbury on the boundary with Berkshire
They are such beautiful flowers. And of course, Nugget always charms us as he “photobombs” the final photo 🙂
Thanks very much, Takami. Well spotted
Those dew-dropped flowers are so lovely and fresh. We are in dry times here. Hardly anything colorful left in my yard.
Nugget makes me smile whether he is nosing about on the ground or streaking by in the sky.
And – I have always wanted to ask – is this whole Downton Abbey craze based on your town?
Not our very small hamlet, Jodie; but there is a larger Downton near Salisbury. The series is set in Yorkshire. The building used is Highclere Castle in Hampshire which is our County. The writer, Julian Fellowes, lives very nearby – actually in Dorset – but many of the names, such as Brockenhurst and Crawley are taken from our area. The local village in the film is perhaps Laycock (where Fox Talbot began his photography) – in Wiltshire – another neighbouring county. Henry Talbot, Edith’s fiancé, must have been named after the photographer. Etc., etc.
Well spotted. Many thanks
Oh, wow. My mom has been telling me to watch it – now it sounds a bit more interesting and I might.
🙂
I never thought of Crawley as being anywhere near Hampshire – I do get a little muddled with the counties on the south coast.
As did I until we moved here.Jackie’s mother, just a couple of miles away, lived in Dorset
Reminds me that England is bigger than I sometimes think it is!
🙂
What gorgeous photos. And Nugget always makes me happy.
Thanks very much, Leslie
Adored the photo of the raindrops on fuchias Derrick…..
Thanks a lot, Ivor. Jackie liked those
Raindrops do wonders with flowers and you have captured that beauty with so much love.
Thanks very much, Dee
Your weather is much like ours. And, I may be the only one in the world that has not yet seen Downton Abbey–
I have not seen it either, but it is on my list. 🙂
See it 🙂
Thanks very much, Pleasant. It was good
The beads of water on flowers after a rain add their own beauty. Those are beautiful photos, Derrick.
I see Nugget!
Thanks very much, Lavinia. Well spotted
Mr Nugget is airborne! I guess you didn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell to jack up the shutter speed.
If I knew how, I might – but I stay on automatic. Well spotted, Uma. Thanks very much
You only need to switch to Shutter mode and probably dial in 1/500.
I’ll try it. 60 years ago I was rather more competent with cameras that couldn’t do so much 🙂
I’m glad to know that Nugget can fly. Of course I’ve assumed so, but a little concrete evidence always is good! Do you know, I’ve never seen one episode of Downton Abbey. It’s one of those things I sort of have on a list of things to do when I’m too old and decrepit to get out and about.
We watched Downton Abbey with Becky over one Christmas. Well spotted, Linda. Many thanks
Your close ups of the droplets are great Derrick, you have a great eye and a great camera I believe, do you use a Macro lens for the close ups mate ?
I have a macro as part of a Sigma 105mm lens, Ian. Many thanks, Ian
Well worth going to the cinema to watch it wasn’t it?
Nugget was in mid-flight! I love the Header photo.
Thanks very much, Sue. It was, indeed. Well spotted. The header was meant to be a clue, but I don’t think it was needed 🙂
After a long spell of dry weather yesterday we had an almighty deluge. Forced me off the golf course.
No balls going plop in the hole, then
‘Splash’ more like!
Glad the rain stopped for you to take those showery shots Derrick. 🙂 Love the fuchsias!
I’m another non-Downton viewer i’m afraid, movie or TV series. Not a great one for historical drama.
Nugget obviously needs to be quicker still to get the better of you and your camera, he’s on the wing today. 😉
Well spotted, Bob. Thanks very much
Such pretty blooms, Derrick. Our season is winding down so we take whatever is blooming and give thanks! At the same time, it’s such a fresh, green and peaceful stage in our garden.In some ways, it feels like mid-Spring.
Same here, Cynthia. Many thanks
Lovely colourful flowers, always a pretty sight 🙂
Thank you very much, Lieve
Lovely flowers and action shot of Nugget. I’m hoping to see “Downton” soon. I hope you enjoyed it.
Well spotted, Merril. We did enjoy the film
The rains are doing wonders with the garden. And Nugget didn’t get off quick enough to escape you. What made him fly off so quickly?
After an insect. Thanks very much, GP. Well spotted
Your plants are surely enjoying the morning rain and afternoon sunshine. Your pics of them tell it all!
Thanks very much, Gary
Beautiful shots of the flowers. I will be interested to hear your take on “Downton Abbey.” Across the pond, there is a frenzy for this movie. Full disclosure: I am neutral on the subject.
I’m working on it at the moment. I won’t give anything away. Thanks very much, Laurie
Lovely, lovely, Derrick!
Many thanks, Julie
Nugget is quite a charming companion!
He is indeed, Eliza. Thanks very much
Oooh lovely action shot of Nugget – he almost made it out of the shot! Hope you enjoyed Downton. We plan to go next week so warnings of anyspoilers tomorrow will be much appreciated!
Thanks very much, Sandra. I have drafted my post on Downton with no spoilers. Well spotted.
😁 👍
A nice photo of Nugget Derrick. I too have not been to a cinema more than a few times in the last decade or so. When i’m wathing TV, if someone talks to loud or walks in front of me, I can yell at them properly.
Many thanks, Jerry 🙂
Beautiful water-droplet flowers.
x
No mere Robin’s wing will defeat the Derrick lens. 🙂
Well spotted, Widders. Thanks very much
I loved the raindrops on the fuchsias, too and I like the airy-ness of your Japanese anemones.
Thanks very much, Clare
Is this the first picture of Nugget in flight? (I was very excited to see it!)
It is, Liz. Uma has told me how to change the camera setting to get a sharper image – although on this occasion I thought the blur enhancing. Thanks very much.
I thought the picture was very successful.
🙂
So beautiful pictures Derrick! I love that raindrops! Is almost like all the flowers are reinvigorated from them 😉🌸🌺
Little Nugget wanted to show us that he’s also able to fly 😉
Well spotted Ribana. The flowers are certainly invigorated by the rain.
Some very beautiful flower pictures here, Derrick.
Thank you very much, Susan