The sun smiled late and only fleetingly on us as we took a dull drive into the forest this morning.
On an unnamed path near South Baddesley Road we discovered
Two small crosses and a wreath adorn the autumnal acorn leaf carpet pattern beneath the board telling the story.
Biggifying the map gives the location of the still extant Blister hangar. Wikipedia tells us that ‘a blister hangar is a novel arched, portable aircraft hangar designed by notable British airport architect Graham R Dawbarn patented by Miskins and Sons in 1939. Originally made of wooden ribs clad with profiled steel sheets, steel lattice ribs and corrugated steel sheet cladding later became the norm.’
Beyond the tree line across a nearby field the hump back of the Isle of Wight can be seen.
When photographing the windsock and a murder of crows, Jackie observed that these were the only fliers taking off from this location today.
Beside Hundred Lane
and its neighbouring fields
bustling pheasants scrabbled among stiff cut grain stalks.
A friendly equestrienne led us along
Church Lane.
Sway Tower now nestles among autumnal trees.
Back at home, Jackie, under the supervision of her resident robin, planted a euphorbia.
“Where’s Nugget?” (47)
Elizabeth came to lunch before taking me off on a secret trip. I would have loved to have made photographs in the venue but could not do so because I did not want Jackie to know anything about it. Yet. Hopefully the time will come.
After a cup of tea my sister returned home and Jackie and I dined on smooth white pepper-flecked mashed potato; old gold piquant cauliflower cheese; and pale lemon smoked haddock; lifted by bright green beans and vibrant orange carrots. The Culinary Queen drank Hoegaarden and I drank Patrick Chodot Fleurie 2018.
I won’t tell Jackie….
Looks like you had a nice drive as usual always finding neat things to photo along your trip!
Thanks very much, Gary
Alas, I cannot find Nugget.
Virtually hidden behind leaves – back view. Thanks very much, Susan.
I couldn’t either!
Under green leaves back view
I see him now! It was the perspective that fooled me. I was looking for little round body and orange throat.
🙂
It wasn’t until I looked again using a phone rather than the computer (with Derrick’s tip) that I saw him… then I wondered how on earth I had missed him!
I had to enlarge Jackie’s photograph before I saw him 🙂
Isn’t it odd how the expectations of our brains can fool us?
🙂
Love the photos of the pheasants
Thanks very much, Sheree.
They caught my eye as well.
I always admire your photographs of shady and sunlit woodland paths, Derrick; to me, they look mysterious and romantic. Do you think I have read too many Sir Walter Scott’s novels as a teenager?
That would be enough to turn anyone’s mind, Dolly 🙂 Thanks very much.
I am glad you agree, Derrick. You are very welcome.
I love secrets! I bet Jackie is really excited to know what you are up to. Nugget has cunningly biggified himself, hiding in plain sight 🙂
Thanks very much, Pauline. 🙂
Where’s Nugget is the new Monopoly. What a game.
🙂 Thanks very much, Gary. It was Bob’s idea.
Sadly we can play Where’s Bob now.
Yes. He’s obviously had some sort of crisis.
LOL! I was going to say the same thing Pauline said about secrets! Can’t wait to hear about it. Nugget is looking quite stoic today. Love the lanes!
Many thanks, Jill. Can you wait until Christmas ? 🙂
LOL! We are ready! 🙂
You had a real nice time, thanks for sharing this , it’s cool being around you here.
Thanks very much, Mercy
I like the tunnels of trees that your back roads run beneath.
Thanks very much, Tootlepedal. That is a phrase used by our granddaughter Flo when she was very small.
What a cool find with the hangar!
I thought you might like it, M.B. Thanks a lot.
Another very nice day!
Thanks very much, Pamela.
The windsock has some competition from the church tower. The resident Robin could be under those leaves for all I can say!
He is indeed. Back view. Thanks very much, Uma.
An interesting outing indeed.
Thanks very much, Anne.
Hundred Lane looks just like Church Lane?
Well spotted, Andrew. Now corrected. Thanks a lot.
OOH! A secret for Jackie! YAY! I can’t wait to find out what it is! She deserves many, many, many wonderful surprises! 🙂
Church Lane makes me sigh with joy! And the pheasants are pleasant! 🙂
HEY, Nugget! So good to see you…well, I can only see your back and tail, but I see you! 🙂
HUGS!!! and TWEETS to all!!! 🙂
PS…I’m watching the 3rd season of The Crown on Netflix and they had an episode about The Aberfan disaster. So tragic and sad. Powerful episode. 🙁 I remembered your WP posts about Aberfan.
Thanks very much, Carolyn. Wee spotted and well remembered. X
Well, I even looked at somebody’s answer, and I still can’t find that pesky robin!
🙂 Thanks a lot for trying, John. Under leaves at right. Back view.
Of all the lovely photos (including Nugget’s of course) I was most taken by the wreath of poppies. It’s really quite touching.
It is, indeed, Linda. Thanks very much.
I was taken by the wreath of poppies as well.
‘Tis the time of year for secrets. What fun! Found Nugget, who was hiding in plain sight. Also was thinking that even on dreary day, there is always something to see.
Thanks very much, Laurie. As we venture out on an even duller day we hope you are right 🙂
Of course, the pictures don’t always turn out the way you want them too. 😉
No – but as a diary it is important that the weather is reflected.
Absolutely.
I wonder if there was a personal connection for that wreath–poignant.
Quite a challenge today–I wasn’t sure if I saw Nugget or not, even biggified.
I love the tunnel of trees–and a secret outing!
Many thanks, Merril. Maybe there was a transAtlantic connection. Nugget’s back view behind green leaves.
I see Nugget! Took me a bit. He blends right in.
Beautiful photos from your day. I especially love the views down Hundred Lane and Church Lane.
Thanks very much, Lavinia
I’m stumped as to the whereabouts of Nugget in the photo (is it of the euphorbia? Nice colour anyway!). Good to see Nugget in the other photo, anyway. I’ve missed his presence with being busy all week.
Thanks very much, Helen. He is behind the green leaves – back view.
Okay, thanks, Derrick
If Julia knows I have a secret it usually only takes her a couple of days to get the truth out of me. You are a brave man to confess to possession of a secret.
🙂 Thanks very much, Quercus. I do have rather a long time to keep schtum.
Good luck with the secrecy!
I love the pheasants, Derrick. I could barely spot Nugget, though.
Thank you very much, Cheryl. But you did spot him 🙂
Took me until I recognised the tail-feathers to find the lad. 😀 … you surpassed yourself with your eloquent description of your evening’s repast this time. 🙂
Thanks very much, Widders 🙂 Well spotted.
Couldn’t find Nugget today and I’m intrigued by the secret trip!
Many thanks, Sue. Under the green leaves, back view. All will be revealed eventually.
The fourth picture from the top has that landscape color palette I love so much.
I’m pleased, Liz. Thanks you very much.
You’re welcome! I’m starting to get a hankering to see that color palette in person.