Today dawned bright and sunny with a welcome breeze to lessen the gathering heat and humidity which made gardening too unpleasant after we returned home from an outing.
By courtesy of Danni’s voucher birthday present to Jackie we enjoyed a most enjoyable brunch at Rosie Lea Tea Room (ex The Hobler Inn) on Southampton Road. My already plentiful and well cooked Full English breakfast was supplemented by my wife’s donation of her hash browns and toast.
These were the garden views from the marquee which we occupied.
From there we drove to Pilley for an up to date record of the scene. The lake is fuller after the recent rains;
more of Quarry Cottage is mirrored in the additional little pool;
it is still possible to walk across to take in
the view from the opposite side, in the foreground of which foxgloves linger and blackberries develop.
Today the lake invited further reflective photographs.
When approaching East Boldre from opposite Hatchet Pond I glimpsed waterlilies through trees. Jackie parked beside the verge along which I walked until I came to the open view I knew would emerge.
On the way I took in the delights of grasses, heather, blackberry blossom, and bees, one of which had become attached to a petal from a previously plundered plant.
Many of the ponies we passed were sheltering from what developed into a much hotter period. An exception was this group including a growing colt grazing along the roadside.
White butterflies flitted over a field of flax further along the road.
Having seen what we had for brunch, readers will not be surprised to learn that no later sustenance was required.
Hope you visit and like my posts as i always do for yours
Mina – you never like or comment on mine – and can’t possibly have read this one in the time.
Aha, one of those, eh?
So it seems
You are kindly requested to check my likes for your posts in July , you would find i liked the posts in those dates, 13 and10 and8 and7 and5 and1. In June, you would find that i liked the posts in the dates, 30 and29 2posts and28 and26and 25and 24 and23 although you said i never like any of your posts. Thank you
Likes mean nothing if you don’t read them
I read some of them to be honest. Just i replied to you since you said i never like
I am going to read them from now on and i would be more than happy if you do the same
The brunch looked adequate for several meals! Lovely photos. The bee sat nicely for his photograph.
Thanks very much, Leslie
I have enjoyed reflection photos, Derrick, but the highlight of this post is Jackie’s delighted smile.
Thank you so much, Dolly
You are very welcome, Derrick.
Your foxglove persist much longer than ours, and I always find them magical. I especially enjoyed your summery photos today, on a gray day here. I hope the rest of your evening is as lovely
Thank you so much, Rose. We sat in the garden until sunset
What a picture perfect day!
Thank you very much, VJ
My pleasure
The bee, the ponies, the reflections, and Jackie’s wonderful smile — all make this post superb!
Thank you so much, Janet
Yes, Jackie’s smile is what I most love about this post.
Thanks very much, Crystal
The pond is lovely 🙂
Thanks very much, Sylvie
🙂
Great start to the day
Thanks very much, Sheree
Ooooh I love a good Full English! That looks amazing!
Thanks very much, M.B. 🙂
So many beautiful photos, Derrick! The food looks so delicious too, my kind of food! 😍😎🇬🇧
Thanks a lot, John. 🙂
A beautiful landscape… love the horses… That breakfast looks delicious!
Thanks very much, Dwight. Can’t do it too often 🙂
:>)
Beautiful pictures. Looks like it is a wonderful day.
Thanks very much, Mrs W
Your welcome.
It looks like you and Jackie has such a delightful day, the brunch with a view in particular!
It is a wonderful site for such an establishment, Liz. Thanks very much.
I loveled those waterlilies Derrick …I have fond memories of ‘our’ waterlily pond with its resident goldfish …
Cheers, Ivor
A well filled day in every way.
Nice one, Tootlepedal 🙂 Thanks a lot
Love the ponies. Great pictures.
Thanks a lot, Pat
Love the ponies. Great pictures.
Wonderful
Thanks very much, Gary
What a wonderful outing! I’m stuffed! My Derek enjoyed the post and photos.
🙂 Thanks a lot to you both.
We love big breakfasts and often it’s after a late sleep-in and make it the main meal of the day…with maybe a scoop of ice-cream or biscuit with a cup of tea a few hours before bedtime. But then again, your big breakfast is much bigger than ours. Well done…if it was all eaten.
Oh, it was, Chrissy 🙂 Thanks very much
What a hearty breakfast! Jackie looks lovely and ready to enjoy the meal.
Waterlilies are such a delight.
Thank you very much, Nicki
Well, I love the field of nodding flax blossoms. They used to grow flax in this area, and there is an old abandoned flax mill not far from Myrtleford.
Thanks very much, Yvonne.
I like the heather, water lilies, ponies and the great bee shots! It’s nice to know some living things (like flowers and bees) are benefiting from the hot weather. I imagine the ponies found shade later.
I’m sure the ponies know just where to go. Thanks very much, JoAnna
Beautiful pictures, Derrick. Jackie looks so happy. And now I feel quite hungry! My best wishes to you both.
Thank you so much, Cynthia
That brunch looks delicious. And so much food! No wonder you weren’t hungry later on.
Thanks a lot, Laurie
wonderful outing and a hearty brunch! and a beautiful gallery of pictures for us today, Derrick! love the reflections on the water! 🙂 🙂
Thank you very much, Lola
Jackie’s delight is contagious, and although you are on the other side of the lens, your contentment is manifest in her expressions. It was a rejuvenating outing for me too, aided by the breakfast of delicious pictures. The lake made me nostalgic for the tranquility and solace lost to chaotic tangle of the cramped city life I am relegated to. Today’s pony photos are special.
Thank you very much, Uma. I hope you get out of Delhi soon.
Thanks, Derrick. I guess it won’t be possible before two years from now.
Ah
I’ve never knowingly seen flax but if it’s full of pollen, that field must be bee heaven!
My first time, too, John. Thanks very much
Super delicious looking brunch! And what a lovely place!
Thanks very much, Ribana
Well, now I’m very hungry, maybe I’ll have a bacon sarnie.
Enjoy it 🙂 Thanks very much, Sue
Oh, my! Jackie’s wonderful reaction is my reaction to the food…and I’m only seeing it in photos! Wait…I think I can smell the delicious aroma! 😉
Always love your reflection photos! Part of Quarry Cottage shining bright in the water mirror! Perfection!
The waterlilies remind me that beauty can emerge even from the muddiness in life. 🙂
Bees, butterflies and ponies make for a joyful day!
(((HUGS))) 🙂
I’m pleased you liked it, Carolyn. Thanks very much X
That brunch looks delightful–setting and food! What a lovely day you both had. There are so many wonderful photos I can’t choose a favorite.
Thanks you so much, Merril
That brunch would fill up even the largest man. I’m glad you both enjoyed Jackie’s present!
The ponies are beautiful!!
Thanks very much, GP
That could almost be the perfect full English breakfast but I can’t see any black pudding.
No – you are right, Andrew. Thanks a lot
Wonderful breakfast, top class present and delightful company. I was about to query whether that was linseed, rather than flax. I looked it up before posting and found they are the same thing. I never knew that.
Thanks a lot, Quercus. Flax offered alliteration 🙂
Alliteration, and in my case, education.
🙂
I did not know that either, thanks for the education, and Derrick for the alliteration.
He’s full of it. And alliteration . . . 😉
🙂
It looks like you and Jackie had a wonderful outing, and a good breakfast. I like these views of your countryside too, lush, green and punctuated with colorful wildflowers.
That looks like a familiar mare and foal from other outings. The little one is growing fast!
They do grow fast, Lavinia. I wonder when a colt becomes a stallion and is only let out for a brief period in the spring. Thanks very much
The Internet seems to indicate around 4 years of age.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colt_(horse)
Thanks very much. This suggests my ‘colt’ is still a foal, which makes sense.
I love the Pilley update.
Since you suggested the theme, I’m pleased you do, John. Thanks very much