This afternoon we drove into the forest, making use of the day’s changing light.
In contrast to the recent gales, the winds were so slow that the sun, albeit bright, would remain behind covering clouds for an age.
Although the distant Portsmouth’s Spinnaker Tower was well lit, the near Tanners Lane’s breakwater was not.
The skyscapes above the Isle of Wight reflected this, until
weak sun was briefly glimpsed.
We crept along Sowley Lane through which a string of dithering donkeys threaded their way;
one stopped for a scratch;
one toddler demanded its dinner;
another paused to chew on a stick.
As we approached St Leonards Grange
the road and its surrounding landscape were burnished by the brighter sun.
With showers of rain added to the mix rainbows separated trees and
blessed at least one of the jackdaw couples pairing off on the ancient granary roof.
Another two preferred the view from one of the ruin’s windows.
This evening Elizabeth joined us for dinner which consisted of succulent roast lamb; crisp roast potatoes, parsnips, and Yorkshire pudding; sage and onion stuffing; crunchy carrots, broccoli, and cauliflower; winter greens; tender runner beans; and tasty gravy, followed by Mississippi mud pie. My sister and I finished the Fleurie and I began a Concha y Toro Casillero del Diablo 2018. Jackie drank Hoegaarden.
The pairs of birds are so fun to have captured like that. And the wonder of beautiful rainbows….☀️😊
It was quite a sight, Yvette. Thanks very much.
We should all be more like the donkeys shouldn’t we? Wandering along, pausing for a scratch or a nibble or just a think and not minding the rest of the world being in a hurry……. Nice to see rainbows too. I missed yesterday’s post so must go back in time now.
🙂 Thanks very much, Pauline. Like living in a time capsule.
Stunning photos! Thank you for sharing!
Thanks very much, Sofia.
Loved the ‘dithering donkeys’. 🙂 What lovely photos, especially the rainbow between the trees. It seems that life there is much slower than elsewhere.
It is, indeed. Especially when you have time to dawdle behind donkeys.
We also consider rainbows to be blessings and even have a special blessing to be pronounced on viewing one. You’ve captured it perfectly, Derrick.
Derrick you know I appreciate all of the aquatic photos. All of them very lovely.
Thanks very much, Drew
Love you cloud pictures
Many thanks, Mrs W.
Your welcome.
I want to live near you so I can see you and Jackie. OK ok, and the donkeys, too!!!!!!!!! I need to find a farm around here that has donkeys and go visit them!
🙂 Thanks very much, Luanne.
The lighting is just exquisite on these photos sir.
Thanks very much, Gary.
What lovely photos! And a fun run-in with donkeys! 🙂 Really loved the rainbows too. Very pretty.
Thank you very much, M.B.
Lovely photographs – I can’t help noticing that you very rarely do nothing!
That is very observant, Sue. Many thanks.
Beautiful sea and landscapes. Seeing a rainbow is like a blessing. I love the photo with it and the jackdaws.
I knew you would understand the title, Merril. Many thanks.
🙂
I love your neck of the woods and your landscape shots. I feel as though I’m driving along with you. It’s a bucket list item for me to hike around the Isle of Wight.
Thanks very much, Cindy. Visit when you do.
Yes, please!
An excellent collection of sky and seascapes. When I read about the meals that you eat, I am amazed that you are able to get up and walk about at all. It seems like endless feasting.
Thanks a lot, Tootlepedal. Only really one big one a day.
Just as well. 🙂
🙂
Wow! These photos are gorgeous, Derrick. I love the shot of the lane with the beautiful foliage. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks very much, Jill. There had to be a lane 🙂
Lovely seascapes!
Thank you very much, Joycee.
The pair of birds atop the ruin’s window is my favorite. I like everything about it — although I must say those donkeys caused me some amusement.
Thanks very much, Linda.
That third photo–water and sky and light–and then the first donkey photo–are just amazing.
Thanks you very much, Lisa. Was pleased with the donkeys – through the windscreen.
Yes, their charm can drop precipitously on actual contact.
Rather outdid yourself on this nice mix–love the water shots and the jackdaws, especially–though the donkeys seem like real characters!
Thanks very much indeed, Cynthia. Special comments.
Those are beautiful, Derrick! Especially loved the donkeys and the rainbow.
Thanks very much, Lavinia
Oh the drama of November skies! Your photos captured the mood so well.
Thank you very much, Sue.
Dithering donkeys demanding dinner made me grin. Water dominates today’s gallery thoroughly.
Thanks very much, Uma. 🙂
Looks so idyllic Derrick!
Many thanks, Cindy
I’m so glad you got to see the rainbows – a well-deserved treat after that storm. The shot of the ruin’s window with that particular blue behind it has an interesting, eerie quality. My over active imagination wonders if it’s a portal. The birds seem to know it’s special anyway.
Many thanks, Joanna. The rest of the building suggests a window.
🙂
Sorry for my prosaic response. Jackie has interpreted your portal to another dimension.
Aw. Thanks to you and to Jackie.
🙂
I have enjoyed the contrast between the dark, moody photographs and those burnished so brightly.
Thank you very much, Anne. All in an afternoon. 🙂
Very moody sky-scapes, with, thankfully, much calmer waters today.
Love the shots of the dawdling donkeys and how fortunate to catch the rainbow – how close were you to that pot o’ gold?? 🙂
The jackdaws atop the Arch is a beautiful composition.
Thanks very much, Bob. The gold was probably in the ancient barn. 🙂
Got a shovel?? 😉
🙂
Relaxing and enjoyable post Derrick, your rural scenes are always a pleasure to view.
Thanks very much, Ian.
What beautiful scenes on a beautiful day! 🙂
Love the donkeys!!! Their faces and their bums! 😉
The rainbow is full of color and hope! Stunning photo! 🙂
Glad you had such a delicious dinner with lovely dinner companions, Derrick! 🙂
HUGS!!! 🙂
PS…I wrote a poem about jackdaws years ago…I should try to find in.
PPS…Been thinking of your Mum and hoping she is well.
Thanks very much, Carolyn. Mum continues to thrive. We are wondering how many years payment the sale of the house will fund. There is, however, a cold sweeping through the home at the moment – she has caught it but remains cheerful.
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Yes, the good places here for senior adults to live, and be cared for, are too expensive. 🙁
I pray the cold doesn’t last long and she feels better soon.
(((HUGS))) for her 🙂
I love the first few photographs of the changing light on the clouds and the distant horizon. It might not be fifty shades of grey but it must be at least twenty.
🙂 Thanks very much, John.
The fourth shot is my favourite
Thanks very much, Alex.
Wonderful Pics Derrick. Really sets the mood. Especially love the one with the rainbow@
Thanks very much, Gary.
Another wonderful day in your neighborhood, Derrick. I imagine the donkeys might be a problem when you’re trying to get to an appointment, but I still think it’s adorable seeing them roam free like they do.
It is indeed – and one can always allow for the possible delay. Thanks very much, GP.
Wonderful moody picture of the jackdaws on the ruin.
Thanks very much, Laurie
Donkey bums! 😀 … I love how so many spiritual traditions see rainbows as the harbingers of better times. 🙂
Thanks very much, Widders.
Ah, the blessing of rainbows! Gorgeous shots of skyscapes and distant Portsmouth in the sunshine.
Thanks very much, Clare.
Wonderful set of images Derrick but the cury road with autumn colours is very special.
Thank you very much, Rupali.
The changing sky puts on a great show. We all love rainbows. I like your description of “dithering donkeys.”
Thanks very much, Nikki.
I love the cloud pictures and how subtle the rainbows are.
Thank you very much, Liz