He Flies Like A Bird

Today Nick was mostly painting woodwork.

This afternoon we shopped at Tesco and at Milford on Sea Pharmacy. There were queues at neither outlet.

From Tesco we drove to Milford on Sea via Angel Lane alongside which Jackie parked and I walked a while, photographing

woodland, a mossy oak, a mushroom, and autumn leaves floating on ditch water.

Along the coast road the air was so hazy as to obscure the cliffs of the Isle of Wight and a cruise ship quarantined outside Southampton.

The sea was quite calm, and more than one couple found the weather warm enough to enjoy ice creams from the nearby kiosk.

We moved on to Keyhaven and, from Saltgrass Lane, watched

walkers on the spit,

and were entertained by the aerial gymnastics of an impressive kite surfer.

This evening we dined on Jackie’s wholesome shepherds pie served with al dente carrots, cauliflower, and green beans, with which she drank Hoegaarden and I drank more of the Faugeres.

87 comments

  1. That kite surfer was impressive, to be sure — but it looks too cold to be much fun, other than to watch! The walk looks lovely — as are your photos of it (love the mushroom!). Does Jackie ever walk with you?

  2. Great capture of the kite rider with feathered friend in the background! Is the quarantined cruise ship devoid of passengers with maybe a skeleton crew, or is it full?

      1. they the crew are probably now “ship sitters” – sad that there is no dry dock they all be laid up – and I hear many have already have become scrap at a “dealers yard” – I hadn’t even thought about how many were plying the seas until this new 2020 happened.

  3. I doubt the “kite flyer” was even cold – good body suit – and the adrenaline from doing something you love – flying high etc. Good to see Nick is working diligently 🙂

  4. Wonderful photos, Derrick. When I read the title I was afraid it might be about Nick after he swatted at wasps and fell from the ladder. I’m relieved it was the kite surfer instead. ?

  5. The header photo is the money shot. Very impressive! The light in the third Angel Lane photo makes it quite magical. The first walker on the spit reminds me of the backdrop for an avant guard stage set.

  6. Those silhouetted images are stunning, particularly the one in which the kite surfer is airborne. Again, the image in high key containing two silhouetted walkers is a classic. Earlier, in the Woodland, the mossy old trunk and autumn leaves on ditch water leave their respective marks.

  7. Great photos! I think if I lived there, I would visit Angel Lane often. Of course I love the mossy tree trunk with the roots that look like feet. The silhouettes are interesting. I love watching kite surfers – you did a great job capturing this one!

  8. Leafy tunnels have a special attraction for me – not that we get many here. The golden hued tints in the foliage where you are have their opposite here, where even only a little rain is encouraging a range of greens as previously bare trees belatedly put out their leafy coverings. Nature cares little for politics and simply gets on with the job!

  9. Those are beautiful photos from your day, Derrick and Jackie. The kite surfer ones are very impressive!
    It was a cool, mostly grey, and sometimes rainy day here.

  10. I think you’d have to have very strong arms, be very brave and a good swimmer to be able to kite surf. It must be so exhilarating!
    You must be up and about, with a second cup of tea by now. I am having some cheese and crackers, and a glass of shiraz from Wirra Wirra winery in South Australia.

  11. Wowza! Fabulous photos!
    The kite flyer is amazing! Your photos of him make me feel the sense of awe, freedom, and peace he must be feeling! And what a view he must have up there! 🙂
    The trees in their autumn fashions are sigh-worthy!
    And, oh, that beautiful calm sparkly glittery sea!
    Ice cream!? Did someone say ice cream? !!! 😀 I think ice cream is wonderful even in the coldest of weather…just bundle up and enjoy! 🙂
    HUGS!!! 🙂

    1. The kite seen in the pictures is attached by lines to the surfboard on which the surfer perches – the wind takes the man and board along. Some practitioners stay on the surface of the water – others take to the air. It seems a very difficult activity – some are constantly falling in the water. Thanks very much, Helen.

  12. Hi Derrick – these are great pictures, as always. I especially like “Walkers on the Spit” – It looks like it could become a famous photograph and I can picture a story or poem written about it.

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