Alfresco Dining

Much of this sunny morning was spent reminiscing with Becky.

Jackie and I lunched at our normal time. We then joined the others for theirs at The Beachcomber Café, Barton on Sea.

Flo took this photograph on the approach to the café.

Jackie and I enjoyed drinks while the others were impressed with the quality of the food served. Because the albeit extensive establishment was so full we had to dine alfresco and wait in line for that. The service of this family-run business was nevertheless friendly and efficient. As can be seen, Ian occupied himself with Sudokus, while Becky and Flo conversed happily. The final picture in this gallery is our granddaughter’s.

She also photographed me reacting to the apparent seizing up of my shutter while I was trying to capture

shadows of other diners. Fortunately the problem was resolved before they departed.

When we had finished at Beachcomber the others drove back to the house while Jackie and I continued into the forest. Foraging ponies grazed on the soggy turf or tore at hollies on Honey Lane.

The ford across Forest Road flowed faster than we have seen it before.

This mossy bank beside it looked decidedly damp.

Just outside Burley a bay pony also dined alfresco on the contents of a garden refuse sack.

For this evening’s meal Jackie produced roast lamb; sage and onion stuffing; Jersey Royal boiled potatoes; crunchy carrots; firm Brussels sprouts; tender runner beans, and meaty gravy, with which she, Becky and Ian drank Portuguese Rosé, Flo drank Apple and Mango juice, and I drank more of the Monastrell.

61 comments

  1. So many nice photos, Derrick, the food looks delicious! We call fish done like that Fish and Chips. Seeing your lens off the body, I thought oh no, the sensor is going to get so dusty!

  2. What a lovely afternoon!
    The shots of the ponies pruning the trees are fabulous, one pony with her mouth full appears to be smiling at you.

  3. I’m glad you enjoyed the dining. The ponies are standing in expressive poses, and the mossy roots show an intricate pattern.

  4. It looks like an enjoyable family lunch. (I also enjoy a bit of Sudoku after lunch.)

  5. Everyone appeared to be enjoying their meal and I’m certain you also enjoyed Jackie’s lamb!
    And you still made time to capture the ponies!

  6. A delicious lunch out in the sun, a drive in the forest followed by Jackie’s delicious dinner sound like a thoroughly pleasant day.

    The ponies should be shedding their winter coats soon.

  7. That’s a beautiful 360 picture by Flo. I also liked the photographs of the horses. You look like you all had a nice meal and spent a nice day together. What a change from covid times!

  8. Ha, that moment the photographer gets nabbed 😉 We always thought it amusing why cafes/pubs put potato chips on the side when we ordered sandwiches. At first, we thought they made a mistake in our orders. We, of course, were wrong. Mentioned how unhealthy a habit it was though somehow there were no chips left on the plate when we left. Funny that.

  9. The roast lamb; sage and onion stuffing sounds marvelous. Glad to get caught up on my reading of your posts, Derrick. I had missed a few!

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