Rippling Railings

Martin P spent the morning starting on the plastering left from our recent refurbishments. He will complete the job the day after tomorrow.

On another cold, bright, afternoon we took a trip to Ferndene Farm Shop to stock up on vegetables, then continued into the forest.

Jackie parked alongside the high point of Braggers Lane. I wandered up and down photographing

sunlit landscapes;

woodland;

and cattle.

A pair of donkeys grazed in a field beyond Sopley Mill, where

Jackie photographed me photographing the pattern of rippling railings reflected in the millstream.

She also focussed on the sunset viewed from the church of St Michael and all Angels, and on starlings perched on the weather vane atop the spire.

This evening we dined on succulent roast pork with crisp crackling; apple sauce; boiled baby new potatoes stir-fried with leeks; crunchy carrots and cauliflower; firm Brussels sprouts, and tasty gravy, Jackie drank Hoegaarden while I drank more of the Cabernet Sauvignon.

77 comments

  1. So many beautiful photos, Derrick the countryside there is so beautiful. I would love to try Jackie’s cooking, it sounds so delicious! ❤️🇬🇧

  2. I always feel that plasterers perform some kind of magic as they finish their work perfectly … don’t like the mess though and a good idea to escape the house whilst he’s busy! The views are beautiful this winter’s day and there is such a quiet serenity in your photos!

  3. Love the shady lane sheltered above by tree branches holding hands! The layers of nature in your landscapes are beautiful! The 3 little starlings on the weather vane are a beautiful capture, Jackie!
    You know I always love to see the donkeys! They are so cute! Your header photo today is so cool…oh, sun and shadows getting artistic again! 🙂
    (((HUGS))) 🙂

  4. Your reflection images are always so beautiful.
    These remind me of houndstooth fabric 🙂
    How different the treescapes look – the copper hue brings so much warmth, as it does to the bright weather vane!

  5. I agree with your other readers on the rippling railings being a standout! You had some magical light for your forest drive today. Your photos capture it beautifully.

  6. Twisting and turning roads have been captured beautifully and are a joy to behold. Denuded, rust coloured trees, front-lighted and in angled lighting, bring to us the pristine existence of the woodland. Hooved beings, as nonchalant as ever, and unbothered by the viruses tormenting the bipeds, are a joy to watch. Jackie has set her sights on truly high existences.

  7. The large landscape photo in the middle of the post is appealing. I especially like the way you’ve framed the single tree, and the light reminded me of Constable and his cohort.

  8. Looks like another glorious day! I love those black silhouetted trees against the slanted golden light and the ranges fading in the background. Just beautiful. And, the thought of “succulent roast pork with crisp crackling” made my mouth water – LOL!

  9. It looks like you had a beautiful day for a forest drive. I love the low-angled sun, a most beautiful lighting. I enjoyed all the photos, Derrick and Jackie!

  10. “rippling railings reflected in the millstream” from the master of alliteration! (You could have substituted ‘rivulet’ for ‘millstream’, just to make my day complete, Derrick.)

    I bought a little pork roast today, I only hope it turns out as tasty as Jackie’s no doubt was.

  11. Braggers Lane looks very intriguing. There is a cross roads near Bishop Auckland called ‘Four Lanes End’, Kim tells me that as a child it was ‘Four Laying Hens’. We have a small road nearby called ‘Potato Pit Lane’.

  12. You highlighted the ripples. I thought you might choose that one. I loved the donkeys, too, Derrick. I wanna go face-to-face with that cute gray one. He looks huggable!!

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