On another warm, yet overcast day, we took a forest drive before lunch. At no time did the sun penetrate the clouds.
Even the heather and bracken in the landscapes flanking Holmsley Passage lacked colour. Wild life of the hoofed variety was in short supply, until we noticed distant
ponies and cattle along Forest Road on our way back home.
On the ancient banked verges of Charles’s Lane
stood the gnarled roots of deep-shaded trees,
while plants nestled atop a fencepost
along Braggers Lane.
As we sat on the patio with our pre-dinner drinks we could hear at least one magpie in the copper beech tree. Since they have cleaned out all our smaller birds I speculated that there must be a pigeon’s nest in that tree, because these large ones do mate all year round.
The afore-mentioned dinner consisted of breaded cod fish cakes; piquant cauliflower cheese; boiled new potatoes; crunchy carrots; and moist spinach, with which I finished the Malbec.
Beautiful
Thank you very much, Verma
Beautiful pictures, despite the lack of sun. Eloquent language to describe the scene, Derrick.
Thank you very much, Pat
You’ve got to love those trees. They looked like something leftover from Medieval times!
Thank you so much, GP
Dinner sounds so good! I love the gnarly looking trees, I’ll bet they have been there for 300 years!
Quite likely, John. Thank you very much
You are very welcome, Derrick. 😊🇬🇧❤️
I love those old old trees… The sun didn’t peek out here until 5pm.. Lovely views Derrick.. thank you xx <3
Much appreciated, Sue XX
Beautiful photos.
Thank you very much, Andy
You’re welcome.
Wonderfully moody
Thank you very much, Gary
I like the gnarled roots and twisted trunks attesting to the adaptability of old trees.
I knew you would, JoAnna. Thank you very much
Not my kind of weather for being outdoors 🙁 Love the photos of the gnarled roots.
Thank you very much, Rosaliene
Very soothing Derrick, thank you
Much appreciated, Sylvie
The old-trees and their roots have so much to say to us, to encourage us, if we will stop and listen. 🙂
I think even the moody-weather days have a beauty within them. 🙂
The plants nestled on the gate post…such a lovely surprise…such joy! It is encouraging to me when I see plants growing in unusual places or under strange conditions. 🙂
(((HUGS))) ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you very much, Carolyn XX
I do like the images of the gnarled roots. Evening drinks on the patio sound lovely and, as my husband would have said, a civilised end to an enjoyable day. 🙂
Thank you very much, Sue
The trees have marvelous shapes.
Thank you very much, Sherry
Those roots are impressive, moody with an air of fantasy.
A good description, Laurie. Thank you very much
I love the old trees and winding paths. So much history in those trees.
How lovely to have pre-dinner drinks on the patio!
Thank you very much, Merril
Dark days have beauty all their own! I love the twist trees and gnarly roots!
Thank you very much, Dwight
Your moody photos of cloudy skies and gnarled trees look like something out of a fairytale book. If only those trees could talk.
Thank you very much, Eugi
You’re welcome, Derrick.
I love how the plants are growing on that post. Are they just rooted there, or did the post start regrowing itself?
I’ll check next time 🙂 Thanks very much, Rose
You made the best of a dim day with your camera. I am sorry about the magpies. It is a good thing that we see very few here.
Thanks very much, Tootlepedal
“As we sat on the patio with our pre-dinner drinks . . .” That’s right, rub it in. Our day was cool and squally and would have read “As we sat on the patio in our cagoules . . .”
Those are really impressive gnarly trees and the plant on the fence post was a good spot.
Thanks very much, Quercus. Cool in cagoules could prompt a poem
I’ll add it to the list – it’s coming up to the right time of year for a prompt like that
Even grey days have their beauty. You found some Ent-like trees right out of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle Earth.
Thanks very much, Lavinia. I always regret that I haven’t found Ent in any dictionary.
I rather liked the Ents.
Looking suite autumnal
Thank you very much, Sheree
Pleasure Derrick
Gnarled roots photographed so well, Derrick. These scenes were evocative for me, thank you.
Much appreciated, Crystal
I like the intricately gnarled roots and the dreamy landscapes.
Thank you very much, Dolly
Your header photo is fascinating. Do you have any idea how old the tree is?
I don’t know enough to be sure, but I imagine more than 100 years. Thanks very much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick.