Jackie and I drove through a succession of heavy showers on a trip to the north of the forest and back.
Manic windscreen wipers fought to keep pace with raindrops obscuring vision and sliding across the glass; roadside ditches were filling up and ever increasing circles spread around every drop striking the surfaces of pothole pools. All was gloomy darkness periodically pierced by episodes of sunshine highlighting the white trunks of birch trees and glistening foliage and field crops.
Unconcerned distant deer on Blissford Hill enjoyed their damp pasturage.
The pool at Abbotswell, dry for weeks, was beginning to fill while
rain misted the landscape below.
As we left the splashing pothole pitted site tail-twitching ponies pottered along ahead.
The stream at Ogdens North, now flowing once more, rippled across the gravel bed and foamed against a nippled fallen log.
A bejewelled oak leaf from last autumn
lay beside the wooden bridge photographed for Tootlepedal.
Becky returned home to Southbourne this afternoon, leaving good portions of her tagliatelle Bolognese for our dinner this evening, which we enjoyed with various pizzas and fresh salad. My pizza choice was salami and chillis. The young couple ate a little later than Jackie and I, who drank Peroni and more of the Bordeaux respectively.
Lovely photos, Derrick. I am sorry about the Queen passing today. 🇬🇧🙏🏻
Thank you very much, John
I hope Tootlepedal will share that lovely bridge. 😊
I did.
🙂
Thanks very much, Merril
At last, the rain!
I send to you my condolences for the passing of the Queen.
In friendship
Michel
Thank you so much, Michel, my friend
Much needed rain makes everything look mystical
A good word, Sheree. Thanks very much
Lovely photos! Vivid descriptions! Wonderful rhyming words and alliterating words!
So glad you all got some rain! 🙂
My condolences, too, for the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
(((HUGS))) ❤️
Thank you so very much, Carolyn X
We’ve needed the rain this week, my hope is for much more.
I’m so glad we sorted the images before the queens death was announced. This household is devastated.
I’m pleased you managed it, too, Sue. Especially as we were all waiting for it. I turned the TV off before we went out and didn’t turn it back on until after I’d got the pics off to you. Many thanks
I love the misty landscape!
Thanks a lot, Liz. Your choice as good as ever
You’re welcome, Derrick–and thank you!
Thank you for the bridge. It was most considerate of you to take a picture of it for me. I always think of you when a horse strays into my posts.
My pleasure, Tootlepedal. Jackie thought that, too
There’s some great photos there despite the horrid weather.
Thank you very much, Chrissy
Your heroic drive through torrential showers has generated exceptional photos, Derrick.
Thank you iso much, Dolly
You are very welcome, Derrick.
I love all those atmospheric pictures. It’s a shame you can’t add the smell of rain on dry pasture.
It is, John. Perhaps I’ll do it in prose. Thanks very much
Great pictures
Love the swishing pony tails.
Thank you very much, Pat
Good to see the Autumn rain, Derrick …
https://youtu.be/Lv3Njp1ctzE
Thank you very much, Ivor
Such great photos. I love when you travel so I get to see where you go.
I’m so sorry about the loss of your Queen. It bothered me more than I thought it would.
Thank you very much, Luanne
My condolences, Derrick for the passing of the Queen. ❤️ I doubt there will ever be a more dutiful leader and servant.
Thank you so very much, Jill
I like the simplicity of the bridge and the beauty of your description: “All was gloomy darkness periodically pierced by episodes of sunshine highlighting the white trunks of birch trees and glistening foliage…” Happy Rain days!
Thank you very much, JoAnna
It’s good you finally got rain, Derrick. Everything looks refreshed.
Thanks very much, Barbara
The sky’s tears are filling pools and running away in the flowing waters. I am glad your autumn is returning to normal, and your fire danger is past.
Thank you very much, Lavinia
It looks like the road had to go right through that little stream. Did you have to ford it?
Actually the road stope there. We couldn’t ford the stream anyway – it is bigger than it looks. We once saw a tractor going through it. https://derrickjknight.com/2019/12/02/what-are-the-effing-chances/ Thanks. very much, Judy
Condolences on the loss of your Queen, Derrick. She was an inspiring figure for decades.
Your post today is a reminder of the continuation of life, of the renewal brought by a gentle rain in time of drought. i enjoyed it a lot.
Thank you so very much, Doug
Love the bridge shot, Derrick. I hope the rain is helping the ponies with their fly problems.
Yes – the flies are subsiding, GP. Thank you very much.
Much-needed rain at last! Beautiful photos.
Thank you very much, Eugi
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Like others, we also send our thoughts to you on the passing of your Queen. What a remarkable person she was. We also, like others, enjoyed the bridge photo! Thanks for sharing with us, Derrick.
Much appreciated, Maj and Sher
We could use a good rain here. Hopefully we will see one this week.
I hope so, AnneMarie. Thank you very much
The ponies seem happy for the rain 😉
Thanks very much, Ribana
Such interesting pictures, Derrick. Thank you.
Much appreciated, Cynthia