The House That Jack Built

Heavy rain and gale force winds persisted overnight and into the day, although we were treated to

some sunshine in most changeable weather as the afternoon went on, following a trip to Pennington’s Morrison’s to buy bread and tea.

This horse rider acknowledged with a wave each driver of passing traffic who slowed and gave him a wide berth on Pitmore Lane,

which, like a number of roads retained waterlogged stretches through which motorists, crossing tentatively sprayed water, rippling the surfaces.

Cattle alongside Holmsley Camp Site off Forest Road, included the English Longhorn variety with their crumpled horns.

Here is the source of the title.

Along Beckley Common Road we scattered a flock of pheasants.

This evening we are on our way to dine at Britannia Thai Restaurant in Milford on Sea.

73 comments

  1. Those are beautiful clouds and stormlight, Derrick and Jackie. I am glad you had some afternoon sun to go shopping. Plenty of water still over the roads.

    Interesting cattle, with one horn up and one horn down. I wonder what breed they are.

  2. With the help of Google (remembering the key phrase, cow with the crumpled horn, and thanks to you I now know which breed that is) I know how you came by your title.
    “This is the man all tattered and torn
    That kissed the maiden all forlorn
    That milked the cow with the crumpled horn
    That tossed the dog
    that worried the cat
    That chased the rat
    that ate the malt
    That lay in the house that Jack built.

    Amen and Happy New Year

  3. You look to be having as much rain as us.
    Have a great evening at Britannia Thai. I do like it there and now I’m envious! :))
    Happy New Year to you all. 🙂

  4. I’m glad the sun appeared long enough for you to get out & about. We’ve had such awful weather lately.

    I hope you had a lovely Christmas. All the best for 2024!

  5. I love the wonderful clouds and sky! I’ve never seen pheasants with those feather colors, ours have a white ring around the neck. The English Longhorn are cool looking, I love the different horns. Best wishes for the new year, guys! ????????????????

    1. Click on the arrow to view the video of the nursery rhyme. Thanks very much, Chrissy

  6. The sky and watery-roads photos are so great…Mother Nature has been dramatic! (wink, wink)
    The cattle and their long-horned cousins are delightful to look at! Love that nursery rhyme! A fave!
    (((HUGS))) and Happy New Year!!!

  7. Beautiful skyscapes, grateful rider, and handsome cows. It’s interesting that all the cows have horns twisted in the same directions. But your photos do have a way of showing how interesting life can be. Best wishes to you and your family in the year ahead!

      1. No, polled cattle (hornless ones, whether by removing the horn buds or by breed without horns) are easier and safer to handle as a rule. Imagine how easy it must be to get gored by a casually tossed head by a Texas longhorn!

  8. Here, those scenes would be more evocative of a springtime shower. Very nice post today, Derrick, even without the usual meal description! I’m sure you had a nice one at the Britannia Thai Restaurant!

  9. Beautiful sky pages, Derrick, and I love the photo of the English Longhorn. I hope you enjoyed your meal at the Britannia Thai Restaurant.

  10. Hi Derrick and Happy New Year! I love seeing pictures from your day trips. We also had torrential rain and flooding. I hope your area has dried out since then. 🙂

  11. I might be in SPAM. My comment on here disappeared! You photographed some very beautiful skies. The cows are interesting, one horn up the other down. I wonder what breed they are?

  12. My comment disappeared also. I was bragging out recognizing Jack’s house from the cow with the crumpled horn reference. I also learned what that cow was. Quite different in appearance from the Texas Long Horn I am more familiar with. I will vouch for Lavinia’s comment because mine was right beneath hers.

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