On a cool, drier, afternoon of intermittent sunshine Jackie and I took a forest drive to the east of the forest.
Ditches along Sowley Lane were filled with clear water reflecting clusters of primroses on the sloping banks. The first pair of the images in this gallery are mine; the second, Jackie’s.
Pheasants squawked raspingly in the adjacent fields, occasionally dicing with death along the road and the verges. Jackie’s is the fourth photograph in this set.
Our familiar equine group were still present here.
Oilseed rape now covers the fields alongside this lane and
St Leonard’s Road, still bearing burgeoning blackthorn bushes,
above which gnarled naked oaks brushed scudding cotton clouds permitting patches of blue to peek through.
Later, I watched the Women’s Six Nations rugby match between Italy and England.
This evening we all dined on spicy, salt and pepper, and tempura prawn preparations; Jackie’s colourful savoury rice; duck spring rolls; and a mix of runner and green beans, and mange touts, with which I drank Reserva Privado Chilean Malbec 2022.
There is an air of life is getting back to normal in this peaceful post. It is good to see the animals in place, the reflections, and some wild flowers.
Thank you very much, Anne
Ditto
Thanks very much, Sheree
Do you get affected by oilseed rape? It plays hell with my breathing at times.
No problem for me. Thanks very much, Tootlepedal
Oilseed rape gives us all hayfever and my asthma gets worse. Dreadful stuff! 😀
Sorry to read that, Clare
Lovely drive, well photographed!
Thanks very much, Ed
More lovely photos.
Thanks very much, Pat
I love the gnarled naked oaks, particularly the first one.
Thank you very much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick.
The little Primroses are so cute as are the critters! I’m glad that you had a dry day. I thought you were going to post more pothole photos! Have a great new week, guys. ????
Thanks very much, John
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Beautiful photos by you both.
Thank you. very much from us both, Merril
Beautiful photos from your day.
A lovely road and handsome ponies.
Thank you very much, JoAnna
Spring’s turbulent skies, reflections in water, new growth and fuzzy ponies still in winter coats. All favorites of mine, Derrick and Jackie. Thank you!
Much appreciated by us both, Lavinia
Lovely prose to accompany your his and hers photos.
Thank you very much, Alys
Such wonderful photos, Jackie and Derrick…the details, the faces, the colours, the moods, the textures! The oaks in their winter garb look lovely with that backdrop of blue and white. And, Derrick, your creative, poetic prose always makes me smile and sigh. Beautiful! 🙂
((((HUGS))) and ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ to everyone in your home!
Thank you so much from us both, Carolyn XX
That road has it all, eh?
Indeed. Thanks very much, GP
Glorious photos and your prose is lovely, Derrick.
Thank you so much, Eugi
You’re welcome, Derrick.
What a pretty drive. Must have been nice to have a break in the rain.
Thanks very much. Laurie
Seeing winter slowly fade and spring slowly show her colors – oh so slowly – is a gift every year. As are your photos. We had an unexpected warm stretch in early March so weeks too soon our daffodils bloomed and some crocus and even cherry trees. Then this weekend pounds of cold rain and dropped at night to 24 degrees F. So sad to see the early risers decease. But lots more bulbs (who were more hesitant about growing) will rise in another week or so.
Thanks very much, Pam
Lovely photography Derrick. I love primroses. Nice way to start the day.
Thanks very much, Sherry
It’s all looking good. However, the star of the day has to be the food, as I often say. 🙂
Thanks very much, Quercus
🙂
You are quite the photographic duo! Despite the grey skies, you captured lots of life.
Thank you very much, Dale
Most welome!
What beautiful pictures you both took Derrick. Seeing all the sings of spring is such a good feeling!
Thank you so much from each of us, Diane
Beautiful photos from you both and a little dry weather at last!
Thank you very much, Clare
Beautiful photos from both of you!
Thank you very much, Riba