As Jessie left this morning to return home to Primrose Hill, Jackie and I drove to Elizabeth’s to wait for a Parcel Force delivery while she kept a hospital appointment.
We took a minor diversion through the forest on our way home.
Groups of pigs from the verges and the greens of Pilley converged on the sward carpeted with silver birch catkins which they crunched with the delight of a child chomping on his Rice Crispies breakfast cereal.
A llama pricked up its ears as I approached its field at East End, where
donkeys dawdled up the road, pausing to sample prickles along the way.
While at Elizabeth’s I read more of ‘Our Mutual Friend’ and this afternoon scanned three more of Charles Keeping’s inimitable illustrations.
‘The train rattled among the hose-tops’ gave the artist scope to display his perspective skills.
‘They began driving among low-lying water-side wharves and docks’
‘Bella and Mrs Boffin took a good long look and one another’
Before dinner we drove out to Hatchet Pond in order to Photograph the sunset.
During the afternoon Jackie received, delivered by Amazon, a very generous gift from Jessie, who had enjoyed the solar lights.
As soon as we arrived home she dashed out to plant and photograph the treasure. Thank you very much, Jessie.
This evening we reprised yesterday’s roast dinner with similar beverages.
Fabulous sunset!
Thanks a lot, Andrew.
It certainly was, Andrew.
Love the pigs, the llama, and the lit fairy silhouette. Sounds so enchanted.
Thank you so much, Pat
I was going to pick the llama for my favorite photo because it looks like an inquisitive bench–then I came the Hatchet Pond sunset group. Sorry, Llama!
Thanks very much, Liz 🙂
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Fabulous sunset pics. I love the illustrations too.
Thank you very much, Sherry
The 2nd last photo of donkeys – The donkey on the left looks like it has a collar. Or is it part of his colour?
When you enlarge the photo, I’d say that it is a collar.
What a fun and generous gift. The sunset shots are magnificent. Thanks for sharing!
And thank you, too, Maj
Oh, wow, is there anything more exciting than a new “pretty” for the garden? That’s a gorgeous light. I always love the animal photos and was happy to se a llama in the group. The sunset pics are magnificent.
Thank you so much, Jodie
xo
This is the best use of Amazon I have heard of – what a clever idea, for Jessie to have arranged for them to deliver the perfect gift to be delivered on the evening of her departure!
Your sunset pictures tonight are simply sublime.
Tomorrow will be sunny, looking at those amazing skies 🙂
Thanks very much, Emma. Maybe we’ll find another sunset venue this evening – perhaps our own home 🙂
I thought you should have a fairy at the bottom of your garden. A little thank you both for such a lovely visit xx
XX
A truly gorgeous gift from Jessie Derrick …
Thanks a lot, Ivor
I love the first image of the pig, those trotters look as though they’re about to dance a jig!
Oh, and the sunset images over Hatchet pond are just magnificent.
Thank you so much, Sue. You are so right about the trotters.
Pigs, donkeys, horses… Have they done away with fences in your neck of the woods?
Cattle grids do the job, Brian. Thanks a lot
A cattle grid? I imagine it’s what is called “mata burros” in latin america? A ditch at the gate with steel cylinders so a car can pass but not cattle?
That’s it.
I liked the pigs a great deal. They seemed very cheerful. The sunsets over the pond were delightful.
Thanks very much, Tootlepedal
More beautiful sunset pictures.
Thanks very much, Mrs W
Your welcome.
What a beautiful and thoughtful gift from Jessie. Oh my…the sunset shots are stunning!
Thank you very much, Jill
Stunning. Absolutely stunning.
Thank you so much, Gary
Stunning sunset and I love Jackie’s gift! Perfect!
Thanks very much, AnneMarie
Gorgeous sunset photos! And dawdling donkeys are cool.
Thanks a lot, Leslie
I adore the solar light gift. It goes well with your lovely sunsets! The Dalmatian pigs are cute.
Thank you very much, JoAnna
I love that solar light! What a beautiful gift from Jessie! And thank you, Derrick and Jackie, for all the wonderful porkers and animals of the forest photos. Sundown on the pond was a lovely finish to the day.
I am still enjoying the Charles Keeping illustrations.
Thank you very much, Lavinia. Just three more in ‘Our Mutual Friend’ – then it will be ‘Dombey And Son’
A beautiful gift for a beautiful garden!
Thank you so much, Laurie
Shots of the Hatchet Pond at dusk are breathtakingly beautiful. The golden hour of photography has met with the Midas touch of your hands to produce this feast. The framing, exposure and the combination of shadows and backlit trees, everything is flawlessly perfect.
Thank you very much indeed, Uma
An interesting collection of pigs – ‘your’ donkeys mostly look different from ours; beautiful sunsets and what a delightful surprise at the end of the day. It is ironic that you were waiting for a parcel on behalf of Elizabeth unaware that one would be delivered to your own door!
Thanks very much, Anne. Yes, we might have missed our own delivery
Yes, that’s a lovely gift!
Lovely, lovely sunset photos off the pond ! They match the beautiful fairy solar garden ornament 🧡what a delightful gift!!
Thank you very much, Mrs Gumboots
What fabulous photos of the sunset. Almost as good as the gift!
Thanks a lot, Sheree
Your reflection and sunset photos are AMAZING!!!!!! Oh, my gosh!
What wonderful gift to Jackie! It found it’s perfect home in your garden! 🙂
The curly tails of the pigs, the ears of the llama, the face of the donkeys…all make me giggle! 🙂
Oh, on those Mr. Keeping illustrations…love all 3…the intricate lines, shapes and movements in the first 2 and the emotion in the last one. 🙂
((((HUGS))) <3 for you and Jackie!
PS…your poetic descriptions that accompany your photos always bring me smile! 🙂
Thanks very much from us both, Carolyn X
Superb sunset.
x
Thanks a lot, Melanie X
😊
What a beautiful gift–and perfect. A bit (more) magic for your garden.
I love those pigs–those curly tails! But the sunset over the pond is gorgeous!
Thank you so much, Merril
I haven’t seen sunsets to compare with these in a mighty long time, thanks!
Thanks a lot, GP
What a gorgeous sunset. I suspect even your solar lamps are envious of that well-captured light!
Thank you very much, Linda
I am truly enjoying the photos and the llama looks peaceful! The sunset photos are absolutely stunning and what a magical gift!
Thank you so much Eugi
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Hatchett pond looks beautiful at sunset time 🙂 Who is it named after? We don’t see pigs and donkeys in my place but they are in plenty in the northern part of our state. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you, too, Lakshmi. The pond is named for its shape – that of a Hatchet.
That is a beautiful gift,
Those photos of pigs are so adorable
Thank you very much, More
You’re welcome Derrick
The photos of Hatchett Pond are so beautiful.
I’d been wondering what the pigs might eat – had heard there was a dearth of acorns this year.
You are right about the acorns. I hadn’t noticed. Thanks very much, Helen
This post of yours is a double pleasure, Derrick. First, another set of Mr Keeping’s exceptional illustrations, and then yet another spectacular sunset.
Thank you so much, Dolly
You are very welcome, Derrick.
Gorgeous sunset! And what a great gift 😉
Thank you so much, Ribana
Love that llama and the dawdling donkeys! Another lovely day in Downton by Lymington! Thank you for faithfully sharing!
And you for faithfully reading Jan. I look forward to your catch up posts X
Your posts are exquisite. The illustrations are so fanciful and your photographs take one to nature.