Across The Stream

On this overcast, somewhat warmer afternoon Jackie drove me to Puttles Bridge and back.

From the carpark I crunched among the dropped pine cones and dried autumn leaves; thudded along the beaten track; slalomed around fallen, decaying, branches and tree trunks; and gingerly stepped over exposed, sometimes mossy, interwoven roots, alongside the still, silent, reflecting Ober Water.

I enjoyed a pleasant conversation with a friendly couple across the stream. They had been visiting their son at Southampton University.

Now the cattle, having been overwintering in their shelters, are free to introduce their calves to the moorland. These occupied the environs of Sway Road.

Later, I booked my Spring booster Covid vaccination.

This evening we dined on Jackie’s succulent sausages in red wine; creamy mashed potatoes with nutmeg; crunchy carrots; and tender broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts, with which she finished the Rosé and I drank more of the Cabernet Sauvignon.

58 comments

  1. There’s something about the roots and stream landscape that’s otherworldly to me. The reflections are lovely. I liked seeing the calves against the bright gorse.

    Will this be your first or second booster?

  2. Have to agree with Merril’s “otherworldly” quality of the stream side images. Found it fun that the chap across the creek also enjoys photography, at least he’s carrying camera gear. The calves will enjoy romping around the open range at dusk, as all young cattle do.

  3. Your photos and words ignite our senses!
    Trees! I love how you beautifully capture the lives of trees…and their reflections in the water are beautiful, too! The exposed roots are like Mother Nature’s artwork. 🙂
    Cows and calves…aw-worthy! 🙂
    (((HUGS))) 🙂
    PS…Ooh, on the addition of nutmeg to mashed potatoes! 🙂
    PPS…”The tree is more than first a seed, then a stem, then a living trunk, and then dead timber. The tree is a slow, enduring force straining to win the sky.” – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

    1. Hah! You beat me to it. Next time I have mashed potatoes, I’ll be adding that loveely spice.

      How are you nice woman? <3 xx

      1. I will be, too! I love nutmeg and I’m always trying to think of new foods to include it in! 🙂
        I’m doing well! Thank you for asking!
        How are you doing?!?!
        (((HUGS)))
        ❤️?

  4. A faireyland of wonder and inspiration. However, next time you go there could we have a photograph of the actual bridge; it is there in two photos – I think. (PS. I haven’t been responding much of late, I am a little tied up righthandwise.

  5. Your wonderful description of traveling among pinecones, branches and roots, and leaves sounds like a good workout for the body and mind requiring concentration. Still, I know you enjoyed it. I especially like the Ober Water woodland with reflections.

  6. It’s interesting to see photos of a place like this when compared to your vibrant and colorful garden. They’re quite different worlds, but equally attractive — rather like Walden West on the one hand, and our flower-filled prairies on the other.

  7. “From the carpark I crunched
    among the dropped pine cones
    and dried autumn leaves;
    thudded along the beaten track;
    slalomed around fallen,
    decaying, branches and tree
    trunks; and gingerly stepped over
    exposed, sometimes mossy,
    interwoven roots,
    alongside the still, silent,
    reflecting Ober Water.”

    This is how I read this beautiful piece packed with onomatopoeic imagery. The pictures enrich and deepen the perception. What a joy it must be to the younger cattle released to the open world.

  8. Overcast days have their own special charm, and you have captured that in your forest photos. It was a pleasure to see cows and calves again, too. I suppose we won’t catch a glimpse of the Gloucester Old Spots until the fall mast crop? 🙂

  9. Your camera skills were on high alert and your muse was on overdrive today. Beautiful post! I am in the waiting room – ready for my surgery. Thanks for the beautiful journey with you as I wait. Great entertainment! ??❤️

      1. I think it did, but it’s too soon to tell for sure. Meantime, I’m just following the doc’s orders. ??❤️????

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