On a dull and frosty morning Jackie photographed some aspects of the garden.
A perky dragon was garlanded in frosted ivy; the ‘Autumn’ sculpture vied with winter;
euphorbia, cordyline Australis, and rose leaves bore fringes of frost and lingering water drops;
some potted pansies were rather limp, while iris reticulata and tulips broke the soil in defiance.
By the time we drove over to Pilley to present Elizabeth (in our bubble) with a tub of Jackie’s substantial chicken and vegetable stoup, the skies had brightened.
In the woodland alongside Undershore a soft toy had successfully scaled the wall that is the undercarriage of a fallen tree.
The decorated postbox in Pilley Street now bears the year date 2021;
the icy old quarry lake bears branches and reflections.
At Walhampton I photographed a pheasant on the verge and Jackie focussed on a silhouetted wood pigeon;
on Monument Lane while I caught the lowering sun behind trees Jackie picked out its tipping the monument railings.
Finally the Assistant Photographer caught me
focussed on the dying sunset and twilight haze shrouding the Isle of Wight and The Needles at Milford on Sea.
This evening we dined on succulent fillet steaks; crisp oven chips; moist mushrooms; nicely charred onions; cherry vine tomatoes; and a colourful melange of peas and sweetcorn, with which Jackie drank Hoegaarden and I drank Patrick Chodot Fleurie 2019.
Gorgeous photos. You know things are being preserved when the are dated like the post box, or as we say over here the mail box. Seems our public phone booths are a thing of the past here.
Ours are mostly being converted to other uses. Thanks very much, Holly
That’s a good idea. They just topknots away.
Frosty foliage can be so beautiful.
The pink in those clear twilight skies seems to impart such peace. And even a hint of (imagined) warmth.
🙂
Thanks very much, Emma. The warmth was definitely a figment of imagination. 🙂
Our plants seem to be enjoying our drop in temperature – much as I am. But I don’t have that lacy frost like you do. I definitely like that dragon!!
Thanks very much, GP
Beautiful Derrick… The shots got better and better as I scrolled down. I love the reflections in the water. Amazing how some shots are better on a cloudy day than on a bright sunny one.
Yes. I just present it how I see it, Dwight. Thank you very much
Wonderful!
I enjoyed the frosty morning photos, especially the dragon decked in ivy! All the scenes were beautiful, bringing a sense of peace to the day here. I love the low sun the trees. It has been a mostly cloudy but dry day here. There is noticeably more light at day’s end now, even when cloudy.
I’m pleased to send a sense of peace, Lavinia. Thank you very much
Loving the garden’s frosty fringe
Thanks very much, Sheree
Fabulous reflection and sunset photos. I love the blue bonnet on the mailbox announcing the baby 2021.
Thank you so much, Dolly
You are very welcome, Derrick.
Beautiful shot of the pheasant, Derrick. The other images were also very nice as well.
Thanks very much, Maj
I greatly enjoyed the crochet postbox. Both you and your assistant did well with the dying of the light.
Thanks very much from us both, Tootlepedal.
Fabulous photos Derrick. That cloud was amazing.
Thanks very much, Gary. You are an expert with clouds, so that is good.
Gorgeous photos, Jackie and Derrick! The ones the AP took of the GP are beautiful!
Good to see the plants and garden-friends frosty, but thriving.
Your reflection photos always get an ‘OH!’ out of me! 🙂
This time around the photo of the little lost toy got an ‘AW!’ out of me! He got to the top…hope his friend finds him and he gets to go home!
The postbox is festive!
(((HUGS))) 🙂
Thank’s very much from us both, Carolyn.
Such beautiful shots by both you and Jackie. I love the reflections in the icy lake and those sunset/twilight haze photos–like a Turner painting.
(I guess stoup is stew and soup?)
Thanks very much from us both, Merril. Your interpretation of stoup is correct (don’t think it’s in dictionaries – except as a holy water basin 🙂 )
😀
Eee, it’s grim doon south! Wonderful shots, as always, Mr K. I must say, your steak sounds good – but we had a rather nice beef, ginger and vegetable stir-fry, so I am perfectly content.
I would be content with that, too, Mike. Thanks a lot.
The eerie image of frosted ivy on the dragon stirred my imagination Derrick… I’ve saved the photo, and maybe there is a poem in his frozen wings..!!
🙂 We are both pleased, Ivor. Thanks very much.
I love the frosty garden. You and Jackie sure have the eye.
Thanks a lot from us both, Jill
How lovely to bring soup to Elizabeth! I really like the pictures of your frosted garden, especially the one of the dragon and the ivy.
Thanks very much from us both, Laurie
want perky dragon… what a delightful visit.. =^_^=
It was too hard to pick favorites from today’s group! Your supper sounds really good, too.
Thanks very much Liz. Steaks from the bottom of the freezer lurking post-Christmas which was over-catered
When does the assistant photographer graduate to a fulltime spot as partner?
Never – she’s chief of everything else except boring admin. 🙂 Thanks a lot, John
I’m always happy to see the dragon, especially when dressed up in ivy. The reflections are interesting and the sunset wonderful! I’m glad Jackie caught you doing what you love.
Thank you so much, JoAnna
Oh wow, lovely photos as always. Jackie is good with her silhouette shots of you.
Your gardens make me ready. A little over a month and we start seedlings. Mid May it will be safe to plant.
Thank you very much, Mrs W
Your welcome.
Yes, all very exciting isn’t it. Soon be snow drop time here!
At the end of the season I am happy but that changes quickly.
The pheasant and the tips of the monument railings stand out for me – although I have enjoyed the rest of your combined photographs. There must be a story behind the soft toy …
Someone threw him over the ‘wall’ and he valiantly climbed up again in emulation of Chad. Thanks very much from us both, Anne
You and Jackie got some good photos today. The frost-fringed leaves were delightful, as were the reflections in the icy lake.
Thank you very much from us both, Nicki
Another frosty but fine interlude on your outing, thaks…
And thank you, Catherine
That is a delightful postbox welcoming the year 2021! I am afraid the messenger will soon become a relic of the digitised world. I am glad you can access your loved one through some process called ‘bubble’. The pandemic has benighted the freedom and exuberance we had become used to over the years. Jackie’s portfolio of the elegant shooter is growing in bulk. It is going to make a wonderful coffee book before long!
Thank you very much, Uma. Except for special circumstances, each person living alone can for a bubble with one other family; that family can only provide one bubble. Your other comments appreciated, too.
The sharp frosts are most welcome Derrick and you have captured them perfectly.
Thank you very much, Andrew
Thank you Derrick, your posts bring alive your place.
And thank you very much, Lakshmi
lovely frosted plants, Derrick and a wonderful capture of a pheasant. delightful photos of Jackie! beautiful skies! 🙂
Thanks very much from us both, Lola
Lovely reflections and the light.
Thanks very much, Rupali
Oh so nice Derrick and the monument lane shots are my too
Takeaway today – the rail and through trees
☀️☀️☀️😊
Thanks very much from us both, Yvette
😊☀️
Lovely photos, Derrick. Your dinner sounds scrumptious. 😛
Thanks very much Sylvia 🙂
How sweet that post box is! I want one in my street.
🙂 Thanks very much, Susan
That post box is also well suited now for winter. 🙂 Fearsome….frosty dragon?…in first shot! Enjoy the ones of you shotting away with a lovely sky. What magic clouds make!
Thank you very much, Cynthia 🙂
Oops “shooting”, I meant, of course.
🙂
That perky dragon looks mystical 🐉
Gorgeous photographs from both of you!
Thanks very much from us both, Ribana
Of course the dragon is my especial favourite. 😉 That letterbox is dressed in such finery! I’m impressed with the skills of whomever crocheted that costume. Must have been a fun New Year’s Eve project when everything else was canceled. It was fun to have so many shared shots this time, from you both.
Thanks a lot from us both, Crystal
Love the ivy covered dragon! And that decorated post box is great.
Your garden looks such a peaceful place to sit Derrick, whatever the season is.
Thanks a lot, John