Another splendid pastel sunrise heralded a cold, bright, morning, which sent us into the forest early.
We pulled into the entrance to The Joinery Barn, a short distance along our Christchurch Road,
so that I could photograph the sun-misted landscape alongside.
Since there is no real verge I needed to perch on a little bank at the entrance to the field gate.
Gaps in traffic along this road are in short supply, so I had to employ considerable concentration to nip across. The Assistant Photographer was on hand to catch me.
In search of Christmas gifts, we visited Setley Ridge garden centre. It should not be difficult to discern that we did not come away empty handed.
From there we continued along Sandy Down where trees shadows striated sunbeams.
Jackie parked alongside the nibbled tarmac of Church Lane while I wandered back to photograph
cattle in a still misty field,
and fallen trees with reflections in the old mill stream.
Jackie, meanwhile photographed the garden beside her, including its bench and its stream, complete with ducks.
Further up the lane a pair of pampered ponied chomped on heaps of hay.
One took great interest in us as we focussed on
the garden next door, with its dying bonfire
and boxing hares exchanging fisticuffs on the sloping lawn.
A grazing pony could be glimpsed beyond a bend in Undershore on our way home.
Our wood pigeons mate for life and grieve for days when, as a day or so ago, their mate is slain by a predatory raptor scattering feathers.
Nugget, however, is still going strong. He had just left his feeder when Jackie produced “Where’s Nugget?” (50)
This evening we dined on Jackie’s wholesome cottage pie; crunchy carrots and broccoli; and tender cabbage with tasty gravy. The Culinary Queen drank Hoegaarden and I finished the Minervois.
I thought I spotted Nugget right off, but I did magnify it to full size to be certain. I see peacocks every time I go to the store at a home along the way, but never did it occur to me to make a Christmas tree from their feathers! Ingenious! My ponies were out to be counted by you too. (I would have spent far too much in that garden shop!!)
I did spend too much, GP. Many thanks and well spotted.
It’s great to be viewing your wonderful photography and reading your life recounts again Derrick 🙂
I’m pleased, Geetha. Many thanks.
Most welcome Derrick
I was the same as your friend GP; not altogether sure I magnified again and then searched every square inch of the photograph (something is having a field day on the honesty seed pods) So yes, it’s a headless Nugget. But any sight of Nugget is good after a couple of days absence. I LOVE that shop!! I would have spent my months budget in five minutes flat I’m sure 😀 This of course is the reason I avoid shops at all costs. Many lovely seasonal shots from both photographers today and I had a chuckle at the thought of you in headlong rush across the road and Jackie bracing herself for the catch………..
🙂 Thanks very much, Pauline. Well spotted.
A day spent looking at the beauty of nature is the best way to spend the day, in my estimation. The picture of the field with the fog in the field and the trees in the background reminded me of the 2005 movie “Pride and Prejudice” with Keira Knightly. Mr. Darcy walks across the field at dawn and its the climas of the film. I always loved that scene. Who knew it was in your neck of the woods? 🙂
🙂 Thanks very much, Cindy.
“He just left the feeder” was a dead giveaway; Nugget is hiding among the greenery right next to the feeder.
South Florida is famous for its magnificent sunsets, but I’ve never seen a lavender sunset – magical!
Thank you very much, Dolly. I thought the where’s Nugget would have been a bit tough without a hint. 🙂
My pleasure, Derrick.
such beauty, thank you for sharing a small part of the world.
Thank you v very much, Wendi
always a pleasure to visit!
You are truly privileged, Derrick, to be able to capture scenes such as the hares fisticuff battle. Excellent photos.
Thank you very much, Roland
Absolutely gorgeous sunrise, and I love that fog.
Thanks very much, M. B.
What beautiful sky colours in your first few photos, Derrick. I love the phrase “pampered ponies”. 😎 Plenty of choice for Christmas gifts. Super list.
Thanks very much, Sylvia
So many lovely things to choose from at that shop! I am sure you left with presents aplenty.
We sure did, Laurie. Thanks very much.
I loved this festive post, Derrick. Nice shot of Jackie browsing. 🙂 Sandy Down is gorgeous!
I was so pleased with that lane photograph, Jill. Thanks very much.
Me too!
🙂
Great adventures and photos. I really love this.
Thanks very much, Leslie. I’m pleased.
I’ll have to try to get up earlier. Your morning shots were impressive. I liked the misty views too, well worth risking getting run over for.
Many thanks, Tootlepedal. My main concern was whether I would stay on my feet 🙂
I do like a misty beginning to a sunny day. More gorgeous shots. I was at a craft fair today and picked up some nice presents. Those cyclamen were lovely–I’d have been tempted to buy one and those feather trees!! Who would have thought?
Thanks very much, Lisa. I think the shop has an excellent buyer who really knows how to display the goods.
Such a richness of lovely Holiday images and I loved seeing you there!
🙂 Thanks very much, Cindy
You made the most of your ‘misty moisty morning’ and provided us with a delightful array of images – so peaceful, all of them.
Thank you very much, Anne.
What a stunning assortment of photos. You also now have me in search of a peacock feather as it truly does make a stunning ornament.
Thanks very much, maw.
It was worthwhile to get up early and see that soft sunrise.
I’ve never seen boxing hares. That was amazing!
Just to be clear, Nicki, the hares are made of bent chicken wire. Thank you very much.
I could spend a lot of time AND money in that garden centre!
Jackie’s bench photo is fabulous!!! My fav photo of this bunch!
The colors of the sunrise are breathtaking!
Ha! In the photo of Where’s Nugget? Nugget is like, “They will NOT find me today!” 😉 😀 Thanks for the nugget of a clue! 😉
HUGS to you and Jackie!!! 🙂
TWEETS to Nugget!!! 🙂
PS…the boxing hares are real, right? not a sculpture?!?! (I feel so silly asking!)
I wonder if wrestling rabbits exist.
Thanks very much, Carolyn. Well spotted. I thought that one needed a clue. The hares are made of bent chicken wire. The real ones come out fighting in March. X
Oh, okay. Thank you for explaining that for me.
Enjoyed your pictures Derrick, one thing I notice is that you have a great array of local places to photograph, seems sometimes that your scenery and views are more closer than your camera, like tripping over your doorstep and Voila, the vista awaits. Cheers.
Great comments, Ian. Thanks a lot.
And are the Hares real or sculpture ?
They are made of wicker encased in netting, Ian. Cheers.
They are made of bent chicken wire, Ian. Cheers.
What a super set of photographs! I love the mist rising off the fields and I agree with the Mr Darcy comment. What fantastic closeup shots of the ponies.
Nugget was found on the enlargement.
Thanks very much, Sue. Well spotted.
We also had a very strange pink sunrise yesterday (Thursday). All 360° were exactly like your third photograph. Very unusual.
Yes. Thanks very much, John.
Do you know how the wood pigeons grieve? The one you picture does look sad on the tree.
This is the second time in five years. The survivor just sits silently above the spot for some days. Thanks very much, Helen.
Aw, poor bird!
Festive photos!
Thanks very much, Sheree.
I like the moody mists Derrick. Nibbled tarmac is a real problem on our country roads.
Yesterday as I drove to the golf course there was a magnificent sunrise. Alas it was transitory and was soon snatched away by cloud. A temporary frost delayed our tee times.
Thanks very much, Andrew. Glad you got out too.
Derrick, wow! The morning sunrise was a glorious and unearthly pink – it’s as if you didn’t want it to change! I love the misty wood images and phew, glad you were okay crossing the busy road. As for the garden centre … did you have to make it look so wonderful and tempting! I think I’ll have to head out now and buy some Christmas things! 😀😀
Great comments, Annika. Thanks very much.
It looks like a lovely day from start to finish, Derrick. I’m certain you and Jackie found several gifts in that shop. So many beautiful photos–I was particularly taken with the photo that has the red leaves and what looks like a wooden bench (between the mill stream reflections), and the curving road photos.
The bench photo is Jackie’s Merril. We certainly did make some purchases. Thanks very much.
Oh–well done, Jackie! I really like that photo. And I’m not surprised about the purchases. 🙂
Derrick, as usual, such a beautiful countryside, so serene and peaceful. And the choices for small gifts were wonderful. Great capture on the two pugilists. By the way, while your ‘nipping’ across the road, be sure to hurry, as well. Take care.
🙂 Thanks very much, Steve.
It’s a very wintry day here, Derrick. Cold and snow are pointing to a very white Christmas for our area. Some plants are so pretty when snow covered.
The sun and mist were particularly kind to your camera in this set. I can see that the garden center has much to tempt the gift-buyer!!
Thanks very much, Liz
A delightful array of photos. Almost mesmeric and evocative of another more attractive world where peace and humanity prevail. Always a surprise to swing by your blog!!!Take care and give my warm regards to Jackie!!!
A beautiful pink cloud and misty morning followed by sun and a drive in the forest! Such beautiful photos! I love those peacock feather ornaments.
Good to hear Nugget is OK.
Thanks very much, Lavinia
Such lovely photos. The pastels and ponies are my favorites, but they are all special, including the work of your assistant haha!
🙂 Many thanks, Luanne
We had a very pink morning on Thursday too, as I took my daughter to the station on her way to university. Beautiful photography, Derrick!
Thanks very much, Clare. That sunset was shared by many.
I love the cattle in the misty field, winding roads, pampered ponies, and how the “shadows striated sunbeams.”
Thank you very much, JoAnna.
Those are stunning outdoor photographs. Light, fog and water have all painted the very many frames to splendour.
Thank you very much, Uma.
Sure cheered me up today, many thanks, Derrick! (Post accident blues and aches, bah)
I’m pleased, Cynthia. Thanks very much.
Oh that’s sad to see a grieving wood pigeon. We can relate to the loss, if not to having a loved one eaten by a raptor. Boxing hares? ha ha ha!! “Nibbled tarmac” is great. I’m so glad you successfully cleared the road in between vehicles. Seems like your knees are serving you well again. I found Nugget! (but I had to zoom)
Thanks very much, Crystal. Well spotted.