Early this morning we drove to Lymington to buy birthday presents, and continued into the forest on this cooler, leaden skied, day.
We stopped at Crockford Clump where small pine cones littered the bone dry ground
on which lay two striking mandalas side by side, one composed of droppings from the trees probably crafted by human hand, and the other consisting of feathers plucked by beak and claws of a predatory raptor. (The first black and white picture of the Clump is by Jackie).
This birch tree was one of the many already shedding autumnal leaves.
Just as I wandered into the murky landscape
rain began to fall.
The Assistant Photographer waited, camera poised, for my dampened return.
Visitors are now, mostly sans masks, dominating the supermarket queues. For that reason we seek out local shops which are largely less crowded and safer. We tried a Farm Shop near Beaulieu which normally has few customers. Today, even in the rain, there was a line outside it. On we travelled to the East Boldre Community Shop which was a much better option.
Oblivious to what may be coming round the bend further along the road dexterous donkeys clipped the hedges with precision.
Nearby a group of ponies obtained what nourishment they could from the very dry grass.
Closely followed by the ponies, the donkeys ambled across the road. Fortunately nothing whizzed round the bend.
The rain continued until midday. This afternoon Elizabeth visited and we had a stimulating and enjoyable wide-ranging conversation. Interestingly she has, throughout the lockdown, been, by use of mobile phones, reading to Ella a Jill Murphy story “Peace at Last”, to which we had introduced her to when Sam and Louisa, contemporary with Elizabeth and Rob’s Adam and Danni, were small. Our great-niece now quotes from it.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s superb sausages in red wine; boiled new potatoes; and firm broccoli with which the Culinary Queen drank Hoegaarden and I drank Motepulciano D’Abruzzo 2018.
Some of your pictures depict the murky landscape. Looks like a wonderful Friday.
Thanks very much, Mrs W. I’m pleased you like the murky ones – that is what the day was like.
Your welcome.
Signs of Autumn already? Oh well, we have the wild cherries in blossom – so yes, time is moving on. You will be pleased to have a slight drop in heat and humidity I suppose? I have finished my early birthday gift and it was most enjoyable too. It was such a treat to read that prose and go back in time like that!! Thank you both <3
We are so pleased, Pauline. I knew you would treasure the book, even though it was showing its age š Thanks very much.
I like books that bear signs of having had a life, it reminded me of me when I opened it š I also discovered one of the bookmarks tucked inside too. It was a nice surprise!
Even the bookmark bore a coffee stain, which I thought was appropriate š
Beautifully active scenes today – even the pine cones and the feathers represent action.
Thank you so much Anne, for the insightful comments.
A murky day looks wonderful right now — it is approaching 100 degrees for the second of about 10 days to come, and the air is filled with smoke from 3 major brushfires in the hillsides behind Los Angeles.
How ghastly. Thanks very much, Janet.
Yes — it will be rather difficult for the next few days!
I remember those murky days of early autumn. I never cease to be surprised at all the livestock crowding your roads. š
Thanks very much, Sylvia. When we first arrived I photographed the first pony I saw – now I am a bit more choosy š
š
Presumably the rain saved the Head Gardener from having to water your splendid garden?
Afraid not, Sheree. Normal rain doesn’t penetrate the leaves of plants in pots, so the soil still has to be watered. Thanks very much.
ā¹ļø
I’ve seen some autumnal leaves here, too. It doesn’t seem right when it’s so hot and humid.
It’s good you have other options for shopping.
I like those black and white horse and branches shots–and the donkeys, too. Yes, I’m glad nothing whizzed around the bend.
Very many thanks, Merril
Great photos Derrick, nature sure is beautiful.
I hope you and Jackie have a great weekend.
I’ll be catching up on reading post I’ve missed.
It’s been a hard week my mom whom I help take of was not doing so well and it’s alot going on. But I will still try to keep up on reading post to help ease my mind.
I wish you both well, More. X. Thanks very much.
You’re welcome
It is very hard to get a sane view on the current state of risk so I don’t absolutely condemn the non mask wearers but I agree that it would be more comfortable if everyone took a prudential view of the situation. At least you have a good stock of photographic subjects to take your mind off the world’s troubles..
You are right about photographic subjects, Tootlepedal. The thing about the masks is that they are compulsory in shops, yet widely ignored. Thanks very much.
Yes the government has rather chickened out on making the mask wearing stick.
The four landscape photos are my favorite, so beautiful and atmospheric.
That is very pleasing, Liz. Thank you very much
You’re welcome, Derrick. I’ve become quite enamoured of a certain color palette in your landscape.
š
I thought of you this evening coming home from my parents house and a dog ran out in front of me on the road. I donāt know how you navigate around all those critters! Nice photos today!
A dog might be more difficult, Jill. Thanks very much.
Yeah.. I’ve enjoyed a good sleep-in this morning, 9.30 and just starting breakfast…. and we in for a sunny winter’s day (16’C)…. I adored your little poetic piece about the donkeys Derrick…” along the road dexterous donkeys clipped the hedges with precision.”
I’m pleased, Ivor. hanks very much.
Wonderful how that story had rippled through the generations.
Isn’t it just, Laurie. Thank you very much.
I love the ponies and branches segment. Glad you got some rain and are staying away from the un-masked.
Thanks very much, JoAnna.
you perfectly captured a gloomy day, Derrick! and with some rain, i’m sure it cooled down a bit. lovely photos and the ponies are delightful as always. š
Thanks very much, Lola. No more rain, although good chance later today.
You two know how to make even a murky day beautiful! Love all of the photos!
Your smile made me smile! š Jackie poised and ready made me smile! š
The dexterous donkeys made me smile! š The pine cones and feathers are fascinating! š
The book Peace at Last is wonderful! And I love when beloved books are shared down the family tree and several generations enjoy them! š
HUGS!!! š
PS…I have some new potatoes waiting on me to cook them…I best do that before they get old! š š
Thank you so much, Carolyn. Making today look beautiful will exercise us š X
Mine also also enjoyed Jill Murphy’s ‘Peace at last’. Sometimes I know just how Mr Bear felt! š“
The beauty of the book š Thanks a lot, Sue
It may have been a damp one, but you two still managed to get some terrific pictures! Thank you.
And thanks very much to you, GP
I really like the black and white pictures.
Most people around here are obeying the face mask rule but I haven’t been to the coast or the busy places to check.
Thanks a lot, Andrew
The photo of the birch is my favorite. It’s beautifully framed, and it’s nice to think of autumn in the midst of our heat. I know better than to wish time away, but I am guilty of wishing our heat away!
I don’t blame you, Linda. Thanks very much
Most delightful images Derrick. I’m intrigued by the two mandalas, one via human hands and the other from a natural episode in Nature. We always get a kick out of the sequences that Assistant Photographer capture of you on your walk, and the added picture of her in the automobile.
š Many thanks, Maj and Sher.
Beautiful photos, Derrick and Jackie, both B&W and in color. Even grey drizzly days have their beauty and sense of peace. “Peace to Last” – now that is something I would love to see. Glad to hear stories continue down through the generations.
It is already over 90 here today and climbing. I’ve been out early watering and gardning, and am now retiring into the cool of the house.
Thanks very much from us both, Lavinia. I hope you cool down soon.
It peaked at 102 at 5:30 PM on Saturday. Today should be bit better.
Both mandalas are even more striking in black and white than they would have been in color. Fantastic black and white photos of tall and slender tree trunks, as well as the one with gnarled branches reaching across. The little donkey looking over its shoulder is cute.
Thank you very much, Dolly. I appreciate this.
You are very welcome, Derrick. I truly appreciate your catering to my visual pleasure.
š
I went past a pub yesterday on my way home and people were sitting crowded in a beer garden with no masks.
Children don’t have to wear masks in England, or people with learning difficulties or people with health problems, or people who who trot out some ridiculous health-based excuse. Some shops have announced they won’t enforce it, the police have made it plain they aren’t interested.
All you can do is give your custom to places that enforce mask-wearing or where most people do wear masks.
I am continuing to take as many precautions as possible and wait for a vaccine.
Good sense, Quercus. Thanks very much
When we were doing our walk to Left Bank yesterday, my friend commented on the queues – surprised as there hadnāt been any since the strictest lockdown. I hadnāt noticed in our village either since then, so we wondered what was going on! Anyway, I think you are wise to go for smaller shops. Last time I went into a supermarket, it was so stressful with large numbers of shoppers and little social distancing.
Same here, Helen. Thanks very much.
Even with moody weather your pictures are lovely š
Thank you very much, Ribana
Murky landscape indeed, but photos of Derrick, donkeys and ponies saved the day! Thanks for sharing your vistas, Derrick… so different from mine!!
Thank you so much, Jan
Loved seeing you in this post. The two mandalas side-by-side was brilliant.
Thanks very much, Flower
Great š
Thank you very much, Subrata
Thoroughly enjoyed the black and white photography of the horses. The remaining photography is also great but the black and white are always so striking!
Thank you so much, Geetha
You are most welcome Derrick