The gales were back in force today, with 50 m.p.h. winds and driving rain – so much so that it was hard to remember
yesterday’s dawn
when we set off for a forest drive in headlights-gloom at 3 p.m.
Some 30 minutes later brief glimpses of blue sky and white cloud ripped indigo canopies above
the rippling reflections of waterlogged roadside verges along St Leonards Road.
where damp ponies
listlessly trudged
past the ruins of the 13th century granary barn that once served Beaulieu Abbey.
Sunset was visible at East Boldre just after 4 p.m. Later the rains hammered down once more.
This evening we all dined on chicken pieces marinaded in mango piri-piri sauce and Jackie’s savoury vegetable rice, with which she drank Hoegaarden and I finished the Côtes du Rhône. Everyone else abstained.
Very dramatic skies and phlegmatic ponies.
Thanks very much, Pat
I love the moody feel of your photos and that gigantic tree. Perfect. ❤️🇬🇧
I am very taken by that gigantic tree as well, John.
It’s so amazing! Trees are like people, all different.
They certainly are!
Thanks very much, John
I love all the sky and water photos.
Thank you very much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Those are high winds, Derrick and Jackie. The photos of the day reflect the sweater’s mood quite well. I am sure the ponies and other animals of the New Forest area felt it too. Animals do a lot of enduring.
They really do, Lavinia. Thank you very much from us both
With us, it seems to be the morning, before 9.00 am, when it is so dark. Very depressing when it is raining too.
It is, John. Thanks very much
That cropped photo of the pony is arresting.
Thank you very much, Kim
The weather must be miserable but on the bright side, you are creating some outstanding photos, Derrick …
Thank you very much, Ivor
You’re welcome Derrick
The pony images are lovely and the ones of rippling water remind me of water in an oil painting.
Thank you very much, Sue
The winds and bad weather certainly made for some dramatic and beautiful photos. I can’t pick a favorite.
I don’t think my favorite is the 13th century ruins, but just thinking about the history is amazing to me.
Thank you so much, Merril. We are very lucky to take the history for granted
🙂
The large tree with the bits of bright sky behind it is remarkable. Your area is filled with interesting trees, but that one’s particularly dramatic. Speaking of dramatic, Beaulieu Abbey seemed familiar, so I took a look at its history. It must have been something to see before Henry VIII got his hands on it.
Yes, we lost a lot under Henry VIII. Thanks very much, Linda
The image of the granary spoke across the centuries for me, Derrick. A reminder that the toils of agriculture were so important to human existence.
Thank you very much, Maj
That first pic of a pony is beautiful. Worthy of being framed I think.
Thanks very much, Chrissy
I like the third tree picture and the ruins which look like a portal. Poor ponies. I hope you all have some better weather ahead.
Thanks very much, JoAnna. Monday should be a fine day
When I see ruins , they make me sit back and imagine those times 😊. We are on a vacation in West Bengal. We are having a good time and will return home on the 13th.
Thanks very much, Lakshmi
You found the beauty in even the dreary-weather day! Beautiful photos!
OHMYGOSH, those beautiful equine eyes can look right into our souls!
(((HUGS)))
❤️❤️❤️
You are right about the eyes, Carolyn. Thanks very much X
Very Wuthering Heightsish
Indeed. Thanks very much, Sherry
I thought shades of Watering Heights too.
I struggle to find you these days
I am sorry, Sylvie, this is a problem with the transfer to my new site. Have you tried https://derrickjknight.com ?
For a moment I was wondering if you were caught in a time loop. What weather you have been having. The upside, I guess, is that there is no immediate worry of drought.
That is true. I’m pleased you appreciated the title. Thanks very much, Laurie
That is a lot of stones pile up to make the old building!
Indeed. Thanks very much, Dwight
“…ripped indigo canopies above…’ NICE.
Thanks very much, Boromax
Great photos!
Thanks very much, Aletta
Lovely captures Derrick! Those skies ☺️
Thanks very much, Val
The colors of the dawn are spectacular!
Thank you very much, Ribana
You are not having to look hard to find some bad weather this winter, but it didn’t stop you taking some good pictures today.
Thanks very much, Tootlepedal
Hi Derrick, your days are very short during the winter time. We only have about a 90 minute difference in sunset and sunrise between winter and summer.
Interesting, Robbie. Thank you very much