In mid-morning a smoky burnished golden brown cupola had descended over Downton. By lunchtime rain had set in for the day. Afterwards I posted https://derrickjknight.com/2022/03/16/a-knights-tale-116-a-ploughing-contest/
Peering through a rain-smeared windscreen Jackie and I took a drive in search of wet ponies.
On a soggy bank beside Hatchet Pond damp donkeys tore at prickly hedges, while the usual
pair of mallards occupied the waterlogged terrain seeming to extend the pond on the banks of which
gulls sat with dripping feathers.
More sodden donkeys sought sustenance beneath naked trees at East Boldre;
hardy ponies on the moor were shrouded in rain-mist.
This very much seasonal reflecting pool is filling up once more.
Sopping ponies pastured along Tanners Lane, at the end of which
fresh pools had formed at the entrance to the beach.
This evening Becky and Flo cooked a very tasty chicken risotto which we all enjoyed. Becky and Ian drank Zesty white; Jackie drank Pinot Blush; and I drank more of the Monastrell.
Looks like a soggy time was had by all.
Thanks a lot, Pat
The rain reached us at mid afternoon.
Thanks a lot, Andrew.
No rain for us today, though the day started out cloudy. I particularly like the third shot of ponies on the moor. It’s very atmospheric.
Once again, you and Jackie like the same pics. Thanks very much, Liz
Oh, good! You’re welcome, Derrick.
Looks like our weather today. Rain from start to finish. Hopefully we can dry out soon.
I hope so – we have a fine day here. Thanks very much, Jill
I gather that there might be a lot of cleaning to do after the cloud of dust has passed.
Thanks a lot, Tootlepedal
Pinot Blush? That’s a pink rose’ isn’t it? I would prefer the red grape of Monastrell. š Sorry ladies.
Thanks very much, Chrissy
Same here. Will there be enough for all of us??
He’s had more Monastrell with his roast lamb. You would think he could share it with us. š
You find out who your friends are, when it comes to wine sharing, eh? He can have my share of the lamb, after all.
š So kind, Yvonne
It’s just in my nature to be kind, and giving. š Especially when it comes to the “l” foods.
I would have done so willingly – It was a huge bottle Ian had brought thinking it was white š
š
Those poor, wet, horses. It makes me wonder if there’s a disease they could have called “trench hoof”.
A good question, John. Thank you very much
Wow, that’s a soggy day! Send some rain over here to our drought-stricken desert southwest, please. ā¤ļø
Thanks a lot, John. š
The chicken risotto sounds heavenly.
It really was, Bridget. Thank you very much
I must find a recipe for this, or ask our resident Italian cook to demonstrate this at our next U3A (University of the Third Age) session of Food, Glorious Food.
Much appreciated, Yvonne
There can be very little more depressing than a wet donkey. You can see where A A Milne got the idea from. š
Thanks very much, Quercus
You and Jackie have such a great sense of adventure not letting the rain stop you. That soggy mossy branch looks like a big snake.
Thanks very much, JoAnna
A very wet day. Do you think the donkeys and ponies mind?
They don’t seem to, although they do sometimes disappear into the forest. Thanks very much, Barbara
Wet, wet, wet! But somehow the ponies always look pretty.
Thanks very much, Laurie
A wet start to spring Derrick .. Happy St Patrick’s Day … I’m about to leave to go Irish Murphy’s pub .. a short 15min bus trip for me and I’ll be having a few Guinness (maybe more) with my Irish mate who is from Cork, .. I might AWOL in the blogging world tomorrow .. ?
Thanks very much, Ivor. Have fun
You even make a cold, wet and miserable looking day seem cheerful and attractive. I particularly enjoy the rain-smeared windscreen š
Thank you very much, Anne
Once again you brought your day to life with your images of waterlogged sodden land.
Thanks very much, Sue X
It’s going to be raining here all day today, but I won’t go out to take photos, so thank you for yours. ?
I particularly like the mist and the reflections. That beach looks desolate.
I would go for the Monastrell, too.
Thank you so much, Merril
You two turned a nasty day into one of creative images – but my favorite is the donkey in silhouette behind the bare branches.
Thank you very much, GP
Poor donkeys ? It may be a soggy day but your photos are beautiful!
Much appreciated, Ribana
A dreich day there, Derrick and Jackie, but you have made the best of it. The donkeys and ponies do look pretty wet, and I am sure will appreciate some warm sun when it emerges again.
Sunshine today, Lavinia. Thank you very much
Beautiful pictures even if it was soggy out.
Thank you very much, Mrs W
Your welcome.
The Head Chef gets the night off. š
Thanks a lot, Widders
Those poor donkeys and ponies.
They are tough creatures, AnneMarie. Thank you very much
The ponies in the mist are amazing. They make me want to paint them.
Thank you very much, Geetha
welcome Derrick