Today was mostly bright, sunny, and dry, except for a shower or two this morning.
While Jackie filled the bird feeders she met and photographed Eric the Pheasant who has returned for his annual visit to announce he has once again evaded the seasonal guns. We know it is Eric because he amuses himself chucking the Head Gardener’s rows of ornamental shells in all directions.
Later we visited New Milton Post Office to send off a card, then Milford on Sea pharmacy for a repeat prescription, and into the forest for a drive.
En route to Milford strong sunlight set the Solent sparkling and
silhouetted walkers on the coastal promenade.
Similarly silhouetted were moored boats and
a gentleman encouraging his dog to take a bath at Keyhaven harbour
where the parking area now reflected pedestrians. Jackie waited patiently for these two to pass in order to avoid spray-showering them.
A pair of swans investigated the tidal shore-side waters. The second two photographs are Jackie’s.
A steady jogger ran down Lymore Lane.
We stopped at Puttles Bridge over Ober Water which was now bordered by reflective pools.
Jackie photographed me making my way to the bridge,
taking some of my own pictures,
and walking across for more.
The fast flowing stream reflected still skeletal oaks, cerulean skies, and scudding clouds.
Stirred by rocky bends, bubbling surface water sped upstream, clearly revealing the gravel bed.
Not so clear was the mud coloured liquid in the shallower pools lined by last year’s oak leaves, now nurturing bright green weed.
I wandered off piste to picture a grazing pony;
a shadow-strewn path;
roots exposed by the erosive action of the waters;
further reflections;
and a friendly family group.
Our first wedding was 52 years ago today. After a somewhat lengthy hiatus we enjoyed a second in 2017. This evening we are off to The Family House Chinese restaurant in Totton where will partake of our favourite set meal while drinking Tsing Tao beer.
SUCH a marvellous array of photographs that it is difficult to pick a favourite. Instead I smiled at you sending off a card – at least you can be sure it will arrive at its destination: few people use our postal services here these days, preferring to pay more for a privately run (and far more efficient) service; I loved seeing the pheasant in your garden – very special that must be – and delighted in the rest. A real bonus this post has been.
These comments are much appreciated, Anne. Except for your postal service. Thank you very much.
Congratulations to you both. 52 is an impressive milestone to have reached.
Thank you very much from us both, Roland.
Congratulations on 52 years! Enjoy your celebratory meal this evening.
Thank you very much, Sheree
How wonderful to have two anniversaries to celebrate! Wishing you both a lovely evening.
When I got to the puddles I had to scroll back up to the top to see if you’d titled this ‘Clear As Mud’.
Thank you very much from us both, Susan. Who knows? – I might save that title for later 🙂
Happy Anniversary you two!! How wonderful 2 of my favorite people together that long!! This is what makes the internet so great – meeting people like you!!
And you, GP. Thanks a lot from us both.
Life is an adventure! I like that you found each other again – it just proves that you can never say never 🙂
🙂 Thank you ever so, Pauline
Marvelous reflection photos, as always, Derrick.
Thank you very much, Dolly.
My pleasure, Derrick.
52 years, Wow! Happy Anniversary.
Thank you very much, Rupali
I love the animal creatures that often visit your gardens. I love that you still send cards as well I mailed off a stack today it is such a thoughtful simple gift to brighten up someone’s day.
Thanks very much, msw. With the advent of Social Media it is a dying practice.
I feel exhausted after that walk. Very enjoyable though. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks very much, Chrissy.
Happy anniversary. Yours is one of the more unusual stories I have come across.
Thank you very much, Gwen.
Happy Anniversary, Jackie and Derrick!!! <3 🥂 🎉 <3
Celebrate each other and your love!!! 🙂
I will do something today to celebrate you two, too! 🙂
All of your photos today are so beautiful! You are a wonderful photo-taking duo…duet…pair…twosome!!! 🙂
HUGS!!! 🙂
(I was gonna' give each of you 52 hugs, but that might wear us all out! Ha! 😀 )
Thank you very much for all this, Carolyn, from the pair of us. X
Beautiful photography of gorgeous scenes. So different from my Montana landscape! Happy Anniversary! I’m so glad you two were blessed to reconnect and enjoy rekindled love in your golden years! God bless you!
Thank you so much, Jan
What a wonderful way to spend your anniversary. Happy anniversary to you and Jackie!
Thank you very much from us both, Jill.
52 years even with a hiatus is good going. You and Jackie got a very fine collection of photographs to celebrate the occasion.
Lovely photos as usual Derrick. And 52 years….congratulations!
Well, happy 52nd Anniversary. How wonderful that you got back together again eventually. 😃 Lively set of photos, Derrick. Eric the pheasant is very handsome.
Always fun to see what you see over there–that area is full of nature’s offerings–thanks.
And good to know that someone else married then took a break, then remarried–congrats to you both, and blessings for many more good years.
Something else we share, Cynthia. Many thanks
I was pleased to see Eric again.We used to have a visiting pigeon that did exactly the same as Eric with the pebbles on the patio outside my downstairs guest room.
Your photographs are lovely and I am so envious of the coast, I’m longing for the weather to improve so I can drive the seventy something miles east and absorb the sea air.
Congratulations to you both, thank goodness for Matthew’s’s 40th birthday.
Thank you very much, Sue – especially for remembering. Our weather has improved. Jackie keeps saying it feels weird.
What a lovely way to celebrate a special day! All of the water photos are lovely; stirring in a little sunlight always helps. I noticed you described the skies as ‘cerulean’ — I believe I remember that from another recent post. How nice. Two days of cerulean skies may not equal a second wedding, but they’re still very nice.
🙂 Thank you v very much, Linda.
So many fabulous photos in this Derrick. I love the light on the Solent, the leaping dog, and the little girl in the woods. Happy anniversary. “But we are older,/ I to love/ and you to be loved,/ we have/ no matter how/ by our wills survived/ to keep/ the jeweled prize/ always/ at our fingertips./ We will it so/ and so it is/ past all accident.” ( from The Ivy Crown, William Carlos Williams)
What an apt quotation, Lisa. Thank you very much for this and for the photo appreciation
Happy First Anniversary! The bridge is very special, like the bridge that led to your second anniversary! Enchanting photos. Cheers to you and to Eric the Pheasant. 🙂
Lovely use of bridge, Joanna. Thank you very much.
You’re welcome!
The reflections and silhouettes make for a beautiful album. Congratulations and best wishes on your 52nd anniversary!
Very many thanks, Uma.
Happy 52nd First Anniversary, Derrick and Jackie! I enjoyed the photos from your day, and congratulations are in order to Eric The Pheasant. 🙂
🙂 Thank you very much, Lavinia
Oh how Lovely those photos are
Thank you so much, More
You’re very welcome
A delightful collection of pictures Derrick.
Thank you very much, Andrew
Your photos are beautiful Derrick from the opening ones that made me smile to the silhouettes and you traipsing around. Thanks as always for a glance into your world and a big congratulations to you both as well.
Your comments and congratulations are most appreciated, Miriam. Thanks a lot.
Congratulations on your 52nd anniversary. Even Google couldn’t find the word for that one!
🙂 Thanks a lot, John
Some very beautiful photography and enchanting tour. Thanks for sharing. Congrats on your anniversary. That is a very long time and heartwarming to note. I must say Jackie is very considerate. Most drivers would just drive along not caring.
Thanks very much, Geetha. Jackie is very good at spotting subjects, too.
Welcome and I am sure she is.
I kept getting interrupted yesterday when I tried to read this, but my husband was impressed with Eric the Pheasant. I love that you have so many birds you recognize and have named.
Like others, I can’t pick out a favorite photo because there are so many, but I did enjoy the Puttles Bridge series, including Jackie’s photos of you.
Happy Anniversary to both of you! It’s wonderful you found each other again!
Very many thanks from us both, Merril
I love those reflections!
Thank you very much, Lynn
A lovely Spring day after all that wet weather. That sun looks so good!
Yes, indeed, Val. Thanks a lot
Lovely photos to match a lovely day! Happy anniversary of your first wedding! 🙂
Thank you very much, Julie 🙂
Such a sparkling and reflective day you had yesterday; just the day for an anniversary! Congratulations to you both!
I love the silhouetted dog leaping into the water but in fact the whole post is full of gorgeous photos from both of you!
Thank you very much from us both, Clare
My pleasure, Derrick.
Happy, happy anniversary! I, too, loved the silhouetted dog leaping into the water. But what made me happiest was the fact that Eric escaped the hunters. Yay, Eric!
Thank you very much, Laurie.
52 years … very impressive. Happy Anniversary. 🙂
Thank you very much, Widders
Oh, that Eric is a fine figure of a pheasant. Happy wedding anniversary to you and Jackie!!
Thank you very much from us both, Liz.
You’re welcome, Derrick!
this is the first time i see a peacock with a red head
Derrick, I love your series of shots against the light, it is really splendid.
Nice walk in the peace, once again
Thank you very much, Yoshimi
Happy Anniversary! Not too many people can boast such a long life together!
Thanks very much, Alexander
👍🏻
What a magnificent pheasant in your garden; such splendid plumage.
x
Thanks very much, Melanie X
Great photos as always Derrick
Thanks a lot, Drew
Congrats! Lovely photos!
Thanks very much, Leslie
Eric the Pheasant is so beautiful 😉 Stunning pictures as always!
Thanks very much, Ribana.