Mum is recovering from a throat infection for which she has been treated with antibiotics.
On our visit this morning she demonstrated the site of her discomfort and explained that she had refused to stay in bed in favour of sitting in her chair to get herself moving.
This afternoon we took a drive into the forest.
The sight of ponies exercising their ancient pasturage privileges in view of Fawley Refinery from Exbury Road prompted reflection on past and present juxtaposition..
Nearby, different reflections remain temporarily possible in a rapidly drying rippling pool. Long shadows were cast across both expanding borders and diminishing water levels.
Most of our verges, like these alongside Lepe Road, carry swathes of bluebells, celandines, primroses, and daffodils.
Jackie parked overlooking Lepe while I photographed
yachts passing the Isle of Wight coastal buildings including a string of beach huts; a motorised dinghy on its way over there;
a window in the wall of The Watch House; bright blue grape hyacinths beside the road;
and a family walking with a dog.
This evening we dined on our customary second helpings of yesterday’s Chinese fare which is still good. Jackie drank Hoegaarden and I drank Mendoza Trivento Reserve Malbec 2019.
Your road verges are very pretty. Ours remain fairly bare – until the gazanias turn them into yellow mini highways in places!
Thank you very much, Anne
I hope Mum feels better real soon! She’s been staying in pretty good health so far.
Those horses don’t seem to mind the refinery in the background, that’s good to see.
And I had 2 days worth of Chinese take-out myself – the first time in a year and a half. We had to use masks and gloves, but it was worth it!!
That’s good, GP. Jackie orders with a mask on and, when its cooked, Chan brings it out to the car. Thanks for your wishes for Mum especially.
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A good clear day.
It was, Tootlepedal. Thanks very much
It’s heartwarming to see your mum, Derrick – and the reflection of you next to her. I sincerely hope she feels better soon. She looks like she’ll cope, fingers crossed. I haven’t been able to visit my mum in a care home in Norway for more than a year and I find comfort when I see photos like yours.
All the best! x
Thank you very much, Dina. I’m so sorry that you can’t get to Norway to see your Mum. X
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Oh, hugs to you, sweetie. What a hard time this is.
Hope your Mum feels better soon. Your charming photos reveal a beautiful sunny day in Blighty
Thanks very much, Sheree. I was beautifully sunny, but still cold
I hope your mother is feeling better soon. I’m sure your visit brightened her day.
The wildflower verges are beautiful, and I love the reflections.
Thank you so much, Merril
You’re welcome.
Hope your Mum is better soon. The water pictures in the forest bring me peace. Love the flower pictures.
Thank you so much, Mrs W
Your welcome.
Well done to your mother for being so stoic… I hope she will soon be fully recovered.
Such a pretty photo of the Watch House, and the grape hyacinths. I was wondering if most of the UK’s blue flowers are Spring flowering.. Quite a few of them seem to be…
Thanks very much for these observant comments, Emma. I had never thought that about blue flowers, but you may be right.
I love your mother’s spunk, Derrick. She sounds like mine…nothing keeps her down. Beautiful photos today!
Thanks very much, Jill
I am so sorry to hear your beautiful Mum has been ill! I hope she is completely well soon!
Seeing her makes me smile! I think of her so often and pray for her. She is an inspiration to me! 🙂
Love the window in the wall photo…so much texture and character!
Also, love the reflection pool photos and light and shadow photos!
Cooper says, “Yay for walking with the dog!” 😉 😛
(((HUGS))) 🙂
She IS beautiful, isn’t she? Her hair is so shiny and her expressions show such depth, I think we’d all be the better for knowing her.
For sure! 🙂
Thank you both very much, Carolyn X
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I hope your mum feels better very soon. It’s horrible having a sore throat.
I loved your pictures of the tangle of branches and their reflections. The local birds probably know the line and intersection of every branch.
Thank you very much, Susan. An astute observation about the birds.
Your Mum is a brave soul, I hope she recovers quickly …Thanks for all the refreshing photos Derrick … I’ve been stuck at my computer desk for 3 days, fixing up my myriad of copyright issues with my Publisher’s, to allow my ‘Book’ to be published by ‘Amazon’ … I’ve not gone completely crazy “YET” ….
I wish you well with all that, Ivor. Thanks very much.
I always love seeing photos of your feisty mum. I’m glad she’s recovering. The wildflowers are nice, too.
Thank you very much, JoAnna
Best Get Well Wishes to your Mother, who seems to be one made of stern bricks and mortar, hope the staff are actually making her rest. As for the Spring flowers popping up – that’s a good sign that Summer is on the way for you.
Thanks very much, Catherine
I love that your mum is sassy enough to decide she’ll sit up rather than recover in bed as prescribed. That’s the kind of hoopla that takes us places.
And certainly has always kept her going, Jodie. Thanks very much.
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I hope your mother recovers soon. She is wise to keep herself active and moving about.
I enjoyed you beautiful day in the forest and at the shore, Derrick and Jackie, with wildflowers, ponies, wind and waves!
Thank you very much from us both, Lavinia.
Your Mom is well in control of her situation and appears fully charged up. The Modus parked to the side is a pleasant sight. The frosted glass appearance of the pooled water presents well utilised photographic opportunity.
Thank you very much, Uma, for your usual perceptive comments.
I like how you caught your own image as well in the photo of your mother.
Thanks for noticing that, Judy
I’m sorry to hear that your mum had a throat infection. She looks like a woman with a lot of spunk. Your drives always reveal such beauty in your community. It looks like the weather is improving as well.
Thanks very much, Alys. Mum was only 20 when, in mid WW2 with Dad in the army, she brought my brother and me down south to London and rented the maisonette we grew up in.
Wow. She was so young, and already two boys to look after on her own. Derrick, did your dad survive the war? I had to look up maisonette. Now I’m caught up on the meaning.
Yes, Dad did come home afterwards.
These are lovely pictures, Derrick. YOur mom is quite right about getting up and moving about. It is bad for elderly folk to lie in bed.
Thanks very much, Robbie
Best wishes to your mum for a speedy recovery. Sore throats are not much fun for any of us.
The ripples in the water remind me of panes of frosted glass.
I’m pleased that you saw the frosted glass and, of course at your wishes for Mum. Thanks very much, Sue.
The people who allow refineries like that,and similar sites, never seem to think that the buildings and chimneys could be painted, say, green or pale blue, so that they were a little less obvious.
Thanks a lot, John. The houses fronting that are much cheaper than anywhere else in the forest
Lovely images of Mum and son. Good wishes to her.
Thank you so much, Rupali
Another excellent day!
Thanks very much, Andrew
Hope your Mom is feeling better! I really like the colors and textures of the window in the wall.
Thanks very much, Laurie
Prayers for your mother and for healing! I know she appreciates all that you do for her, Derrick! Lovely pictures! Bless you both! 🙂
Thank you very much, Cherie
You’re very welcome, Derrick. 🙂
I wish your mother speedy recovery, Derrick.
Fabulous photos of reflections and shadows.
Thanks very much, Dolly
My pleasure, Derrick.
I particularly like “Ripples on pool,” and I love the color of the sea in your first three Isle of Wight photos.
I’m sorry that your mum has been ill with a throat infection. Very unpleasant. I hope she’s soon fully recovered.
Thank you very much, Liz, for the good wishes and for the appreciation
You’re most welcome, Derrick.
Hope your mother feels better soon. Just yesterday I was thinking about her.
Thanks very much, Lakshmi. 🙂
Very nice post! Glad your mom is hanging in there and doing well!
Thanks very much, Dwight
You are welcome.
Some good bluebell shots – ours seem a bit sparse this year. Good shots of yuo and your Mum side by side. 🙂
Thank you very much, Quercus
I love the photo of the ripples in the water.
Hope your mom recovers fully. God bless your family
Thank you very much, More
You’re welcome
Glad to see your mum again. Sorry she’s had to deal with an infection. Hopefully by now she is fully recovered. I got a kick out of her refusing to be still … yes, it is her feisty-ness that keeps her going, isn’t it?
It is, indeed, Jan. Thank you very much – especially for this catch-up after your break