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As we were both up before dawn this morning we took a trip to the coast to catch sight of the dawn over the Isle of Wight. There was nothing to see. It was raining and the sky was covered in grey cloud.
John Keats famously described autumn as “a season of mists and mellow fruitfulness”. We haven’t had any mists yet in this delayed waning of the year. So I guess we must be patient.
Many flowers, such as
nicotiana
and nasturtiums continue to bloom.
There is, however, a certain amount of “mellow fruitfulness” in the form of
crab apples,
rosa glauca hips,
just a few apples on a tree that was laden last year,
and the seed clusters of six foot tall nicotiana sylvestris,
just one pod of which produced this cappuccino chocolate cloud of minute seeds on the poppy tray.
I cannot remember how to calibrate my scanner to the laptop, so the last two photographs I e-mailed to Emily were produced by
photographing the prints and uploading them.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s spiky pasta beef arrabiata and runner beans with which I drank more of the malbec.
Derrick, your garden never ceases to amaze me with its variety of life!
Thanks very much, Rosaliene
It’s too bad you were not able to see the sunrise.
We’ve had one foggy morning. I enjoyed looking at it because I did not have to drive in it–the fog had disappeared by the time I went out.
Your flower photos are beautiful–there is still so much beauty and bounty in your garden.
Many thanks, Merril
I do so love that evocative line ‘ ,,,,,,,a season of mists and mellow fruitfulness’. The grey rain isn’t quite right is it. I’m a bit concerned about that spiky beef you had for dinner …….
It was so spiky that J made a milder sauce with which to dilute her helping. Thanks a lot, Pauline
It’s never too spiky for me.
We are of like minds, Jodie
Apple trees are sometimes known to take a year off. Your apple in the photo, though, must have secretly known this was the year for its fifteen minutes of fame….
🙂 Another lovely comment, Cynthia. Thank you
Those crab apples look very wild and natural!
Thanks, John. We have two trees, both absolutely laden.
I love the nasturtiums. It appears to be smiling at me. Beautiful shots, Derrick!
Thanks a lot, Jill
This is Incredible ❤️️ http://www.misskymmiee.com
Thank you, Miss Kymmiee
What – no Isle of Wight? 🙂
Well done for photographing the photograph to solve the problem :).
Hey have you stolen our summer? I am still sleeping with my down cover.
Dammit, Mary. It was for your benefit that we chose to visit the Island for a dawn shot. 🙂 We’ll try again. Thanks for all this.
Thanks, D&J; I appreciate it. Maybe you can set up a camera on slo-mo for 24 hours 🙂
🙂
That poppy picture is a work of art – ” cappuccino chocolate cloud” could be the name.
Thanks a lot, Jodie. Now there’s a thought I wish I’d had 🙂
I thought “spiky” was a typo for spicy!
Can you get tobacco out of nicotiana? Certainly nicotine comes from a plant with a similar name.
I wouldn’t have known those “crab apples” were such. I thought they were always mostly green (perhaps I’ve been going for them when under-ripe). These look almost edible (and perhaps explain why crab apple jelly is often orange coloured).
Thanks, Paul. Spiky was a trap for my poof redders 🙂 We have so many crab apples and no idea what to do with them.
Crab apple jelly! http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/7661/crab-apple-jelly
Good jelly is pink – if you over- boil it you can get it to turn almost black as the sugar darkens. Still tastes good though. I speak from experience. 😉
Thanks, Quercus
She is such a doll, your growing “real” Poppy. <3 I like how you called the seeds that look like dust, cappuccino chocolate was clever.
The flowers are pretty, as the crabapples and apple are. The yellow flower and white with pink blooms, seemed like spring was still here. 🙂
I enjoyed the story and wish the fog would have parted for you and Jackie. Dan Antion had not too much luck on his recent fog pictures but the mood and ambiance was nice ("no facilities" blog).
You seem to be figuring the photos and hope not too frustrated, Derrick.
Thanks a lot, Robin. Your usual attention to the detail of the post.
So beautiful derrick
Thank you, Lynn
Love this
Thank you, Mr. Obeezy
You are welcome
John Keats would have loved your garden. “…but let us open our leaves like a flower and be passive and receptive — budding patiently under the eye of Apollo…”
Many thanks, Rose
It is always wonderful the way those bright crab apples hang on sometimes right through winter and the birds love them then.
Thank you, John
Wow, so much loveliness! 🙂
Thanks very much, Val
My plum tree only has good crops alternate years. Some trees do. RHS advice is here – https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=280
Thanks, Quercus
Ah – those rose hips!!! So lovely… And, it’s interesting to me that a plant as large as Nicotiana sylvestris has such tiny, tiny seeds. It serves as a good reminder that sometimes greatness start out small. Sorry you only got a few apples. 🙁
Many thanks, Anna
That is one darling baby and one beautiful apple.
Thanks very much, Laurie