Jackie cut my hair after lunch. Then we enjoyed a late afternoon forest drive.
Swans, casting long shadows, with a group of mallards, which took to flight upon my arrival, wandered across the sward at Beaulieu River.
At East End a donkey and foal clipped a hedge, while a burnished pony watched the traffic passing by.
The lowering sun was reflected along with trees in a pool beside Exbury Road.
The tide was out. at Lepe where I focussed on the Isle of Wight and a container vessel on the horizon between Southampton and the island; while
Jackie photographed a chicken in a field.
We turned down Lower Pennington Lane in order to catch the sunset on the way home.
Here the Assistant Photographer photographed a deer and three geese.
I photographed a skein of geese over head, and others enhancing the sunset.
These shots are Jackie’s.
This evening we dined on more of the Culinary Queen’s wholesome cottage pie with fresh carrots, cabbage, and runner beans. Mrs Knight drank Hoegaarden and I drank more of the Douro.
Cottage pie? Haven’t had one of those for many a year. One of these days I will find a suitably tasty gluten free recipe.
Thanks very much, Chrissy
Isn’t cottage pie gluten free? If you use GF flour if you need any thickening? (Asking because I make it for hubbie from time to time)
GF flour is still available but not always successful. Plus I can only buy in 2 kg bags here and has a short shelf life. In past, when we had a house full, I usually used a variety of flours need to be blended eg: rice, potato, almond. These days it’s only the 2 of us and out of practice. Betty Crocker has a few good pre-made varieties for small meals. I just need to get motivated. 🙂
And it occurred to me that you may like to make yours with a pastry base. The way I learned (at home science in school LOL), was just the mince mixture, with mashed potato and perhaps some grated cheese top. Cornflour is enough thickener there.
We too have a cupboard of flours, but since we are suburban, it is easy to find packets of GF plain and self-raising at the supermarkets. We usually get it at Aldi.
Chrissy, Cottage/Shepherd pie is made without pastry and there should be enough tasty liquid left at the end of cooking to use as your gravy and it’s not necessary to thicken.
Makes you feel hungry just reading about their delicious suppers each day, doesn’t it?
I’ll try it soon. Yes, Jackie sounds like a great cook.
🙂
Beautiful way to end a day, I’d say 🙂
Thanks very much, Donna
Another fabulous day in your localized paradise…seeing and doing all the things you enjoy.
Thanks you very much, Catherine. Localized paradise rolls of the tongue nicely
Stunning sunset photos, Jackie. 😍Cottage pie is so tasty. My mom made it often.
Thanks very much from us both, Sylvia
I liked the combined effort on the evening geese. Reading your title made me think that you had gone to an Elizabethan banquet (as I am sure that you intended).
I’m pleased you got the title, Tootlepedal. Thanks very much
Lovely captures. I make cottage pie.
Thanks a lot, Cindy
Very beautiful photos by you both as usual! ❤️🇬🇧
Many thanks from each of us, John
Those sunset with birds and sunset shots are all awesome, Jackie and Derrick! Just awesome!
Thank you very much from us both, Maj
Gorgeous photos by both you and Jackie–I love all those sunset geese. Also the ducks in flight in the first group of photos.
Thanks very much from us both, Merril. Jackie thought the ducks should have been the header – it was a toss up.
You’re both welcome. 😀
What amazingly beautiful photos of tonight’s sunset…
I do so hope that perky chicken was still around to enjoy it – the field looked rather large and open – let’s hope Mr Fox isn’t nearby!
That was someone’s garden, Emma, so hopefully they have a coop. Thanks very much from us both
Wonderful photographs by both you and Jackie! I was waiting for a photo of your haircut. I need to cut my Derek’s hair!
Thanks very much from us both, Jill
A wonderful collection of interesting photos today Derrick, which have brighted up my cool and overcast summer’s morning..
I’m pleased, Ivor. Cheers
the third photo ! (oh, and Jackie seems to be multi talented, my husband would never let me touch his hair !
She is, Sylvie. Thanks a lot
🙂
What a lovely day! I hope Jackie is better at cutting hair than I am.
Thanks very much, Leslie. When we were first married she always did it.
I’ve only been cutting David’s since about six weeks into the pandemic. I think it’s safe to say I do not have an aptitude for barbering.
The header and the first geese at sunset shot are tied for me favorite. You and Jackie got some great photos! (I love the random chicken.)
Thank you very much from each of us, Liz.
You’re very welcome, Derrick.
The sunset photos with geese from both of you are especially beautiful.
Thank you very much, JoAnna
It looks like you all are ready for spring, already.
Nearly there, Bridget. Thank you very much
A beautiful day for a forest drive and beautiful photos from you and Jackie! Those molten copper sundowns are breathtaking.
Thank you so much from us both, Lavinia
Wonderful Sir. I’m smiling
Thanks a lot, Gary
Lots of beauty on your daily adventures.
Thank you so much, Mrs W
Your welcome.
Swan, shadows and mallards, and reflections in the woodland, not to forget the equestrian vagabonds, make for a refreshing album. Jackie has burst upon the secret of the golden hour and symmetry in photography.
She waited for the geese, too. Thanks very much, Uma
I like how your photos capture light, shadow, and reflection
Many thanks, Rose
Lots of animals! Jackie’s pictures are beautiful, especially the one on the left.
Thank you very much, Laurie. That nearly made the header
One to frame. Of course, that is true with pictures in every one of your posts.
When our decorations are completed we are going too have to cull a number of framed pictures 🙂
The header picture is beautiful – so pleased to see more vibrant sunset pictures lower down too. I have cut my husband’s hair ever since I met him aged 19! As for cottage pie, my widowed mother used to visit us over the Christmas period and one year when I asked the family what they would like for Christmas dinner, my younger son made a special plea for “Granny’s cottage pie”. He got it.
Thanks very much, Anne. Jackie cut mine when we were first married. Children are good judges.
I’ve never seen the Isle of Wight so close. You must have taken other shots but this makes it look swimming distance from the mainland.
I think it might be, but for the currents, Helen. Thanks very much
I see – I certainly wasn’t thinking of trying it out for myself!
🙂
Low tide towards the Isle of Wight is a lovely picture of a very dangerous landscape.
Thanks very much, John. I didn’t walk on it 🙂
The subject of the title of this post would each make an acceptable main course ingredient.
You got it, Yvonne. Thanks very much
Nature filled your day with beauty and sweetness! Thank you for sharing it with us, too, Jackie and Derrick!
(((HUGS))) 🙂
Much appreciated by us both, Carolyn X
I love the reflections on the water and the sunset is so beautiful!
Thank you very much, Aletta
That header has to be one of your finest ever pictures.
Thank you very much from me and from the Assistant Photographer, Andrew
Wow, Derrick! The sunset photo with the geese is spectacular.
Thank you very much from us both, Cheryl
I agree! It would make a terrific work of art – enlarged and framed and hung on my wall here in Montana!!
Would you like one, Jan?
Oh yes!!!!!
I’m on it.
How wonderful! Thank u so much!!
How fantastic, you two!! Animals walking free in the charming countryside!
Many thanks from us both, GP
We live in an apartment complex that has a pond situated close to our apartment. The geese use it as a resting place as they travel to and fro. I enjoy hearing and seeing them as they honk and frolic. So, you’re not going to show off your haircut? Your header photo is stunning!
Thank you so much, Eugi. No doubt Jackie will provide a photo before too long 🙂
You’re welcome, Derrick.
These are great pictures, Derrick. I especially like the sunsets.
Thanks very much from us both, Robbie
I love the forest and the sunset shots. Very beautiful. Especially the sunset with the silverlining of the clouds.
Thank you very much, Geetha
Sheer enchantment.
Thank you very much, Pat
Oh Derrick, that “skein of geese over head, and others enhancing the sunset” are works of art, indeed.
Thank you so much from us both, Jan
What a great set of images from both of you.
The reflections are stunning and ones of the geese and swans in flight have made my day.
Thank you very much from us both, Sue
Beautiful photos from both of you! That sunset is amazing! And what a great dinner 🥘😋
Thank you so much from us both, Ribana
Exceptional sunset photos Derrick, both yours and Jackie’s.
Thanks very much from us both, Dolly
You are very welcome, both of you.
Wonderful photos – It looks like a beautiful day. We had 2 days last week that hit 60 degrees. That’s an absolute gift in Ferbruary.
Thanks very much, Jodie
<3