The Chase

Today, albeit cool, was bright and sunny throughout.

Jackie, once again this morning, found basic items in short or absent supply in the shops. Without compunction she acquired the last two bottles of Hoegaarden.

This afternoon we went for a drive in the forest.

What is usually a fairly shallow pool on the road from Beaulieu to Lepe now laps at the trunks of the trees reflected in it.

We parked alongside the shallows outside Lepe beach looking across to

the Isle of Wight, against which

swept a speedy yacht.

We could see beach huts but didn’t know their location.

We did recognise the Red Funnel ferry on its departure.

Jackie photographed me photographing the Island.

Brent geese gathered and engaged in

pairing up,

sometimes after enjoying the chase.

Ponies grazed at East End –

in the drying ditch,

among the daisies on the moorland,

and on the road ahead. Having hove into view, the cyclist in this last shot, as he passed me said he hoped he hadn’t spoiled that for me. “No,’ I replied, “you made it.”

One of the llamas further down the road basked in the late afternoon sun,

the other smirked in the shadows.

This evening we dined on Jackie’s classic cottage pie; crisp carrots, cauliflower, broccoli; and tender runner beans, with which she drank Hoegaarden and I finished the Merlot.

 

 

75 comments

  1. Sounds like a wonderful dinner and I felt my heart rate slow when looking at those glorious views of trees. Beside me the bread is rising, and my husband is making stew with Guinness. The scents of my quarantine are lovely.

  2. Looks like the affects of your storms is finally starting to dry up a bit.
    Hope things calm down soon with all the panic shopping and hibernating!

  3. Oh my goodness I love those upside-down shots of the trees – a fitting meditation on the state of the world! I love alpacas, but I think yours are Llamas – it’s the ears that give them away most easily in your photos.

  4. Your reflections shots are absolutely gorgeous, Derrick. I think Pauline is right about the Llamas. They tend to have bigger, banana shaped ears like your curious fellas. Thanks for brightening my day!

  5. That llama does look like it’s smirking. :). The reflection shots are beautiful.
    I hope things settle down where you are–things are crazy here.

  6. I particularly like the composition of the tree reflection photos that show the bottom of the tree and the rest of the tree is reflected in the water.

  7. Smirking llamas! YAY! 😀 😉
    Your reflections photos are amazing! Smile-bringers, for sure! 🙂
    In these crazy times, your photos bring us joy! Thank you!
    As I look at the animals in photos, in my nature walks, and at the one lying on my feet right now 😀 … I think about how animals live one day at a time. Doing what they must do today and not worrying about tomorrow or next week or next month. 🙂 We should be more like them. 🙂
    HUGS!!! and be safe and well!!! 🙂 <3 to you both! 🙂

    1. I must tell you, Carolyn, that I always love to read your comments as they certainly bring me joy!

      1. I’m so glad, Jackie! 🙂
        And these days we could all use more smiles and joy. 🙂
        I think of you and all of your family and wish them the very best!
        (((HUGS))) and <3

  8. The reflections made me feel a little upside down dizzy which made me smile. Then the ponies helped me feel more grounded. Nice balance. 🙂

  9. What a lovely forest drive, Derrick and Jackie! I enjoyed all the photos form your day. The llamas are adorable! We have alpacas living next door here this year.

  10. I love the tree photos, sort of desolate too, but that could easily be my melancholy mood, I’m glad you got the cyclist in the shot.

    I am having a dry week (no wine) though I have to say the depressing instructions yesterday made me wish I had a bottle.

  11. If you ever get fed up with the traditional name of your local pub, may I suggest “The Smirking Llama” as a cool and trendy alternative?

  12. The good news is that trees, water, reflections, and ducks will remain available to us all. As for nabbing the last two bottles of Hoegaarden: one does what one must. Good for Jackie!

  13. Fabulous pictures, as always. So good I can’t even decide which one I like the best, but the trees reflected in the water and the misty pony are top contenders.

  14. I love the ponies, Derrick, but the sun-backlit llama was by far my favorite. Thank you for sharing your beautiful drive with us as we sit fairly sequestered in our home here in Montana. We needed those beautiful scenes!

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