The Rainbow Blessing

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.

 

88 comments

  1. 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.

  2. 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!

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. 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?? πŸ™‚

    The jackdaws atop the Arch is a beautiful composition.

  8. What beautiful scenes on a beautiful day! πŸ™‚
    Love the donkeys!!! Their faces and their bums! πŸ˜‰
    The rainbow is full of color and hope! Stunning photo! πŸ™‚
    Glad you had such a delicious dinner with lovely dinner companions, Derrick! πŸ™‚
    HUGS!!! πŸ™‚
    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.

    1. 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.

      1. You’re welcome, Derrick.
        Yes, the good places here for senior adults to live, and be cared for, are too expensive. πŸ™
        I pray the cold doesn’t last long and she feels better soon.
        (((HUGS))) for her πŸ™‚

  9. 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.

  10. 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.

  11. The changing sky puts on a great show. We all love rainbows. I like your description of “dithering donkeys.”

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