Slate grey skies; gloomy light; steady rain. These were the weather conditions during our drive into the forest this morning.
Just outside Lymington we were delayed by a warning of witches’ hats strung out round a bend in the lane, no doubt having been abandoned after Halloween.
A couple of cows cropped the grass at Pilley Street where
shallow roadside pools reflected rain-washed parked cars.
Jackie parked the Modus beside the occasional bus-stop at the fully replenished Pilley quarry pit pool while I wandered around the perimeter.
Glistening golden oak leaves lingered on
lichen covered limbs
and mossy trunks;
or, loosened by the stiff breeze, cascaded down the sloping banks
vanishing beneath the surface of the water
swirling with raindrop ripples
ruffling arboreal reflections.
Fallen branches rear from the depths or stretch in tangled skeins across the surface.
On the far side of the lake bedraggled ponies nuzzled what nutriment they could from the soggy terrain.
As my shoes struggled with the mud’s suction I spared a thought for the owner of this trainer that may have succumbed.
It is difficult to believe that on 21st September I walked across the bed of this lake photographing grazing ponies.
The frost patterns on the flanks of this damp donkey rather belied the warmth of the day.
Leaving the pool we visited Mum at Woodpeckers. Jackie took this photograph as my mother demonstrated her improving smile. She has suffered a chest infection requiring two series of antibiotics. She has recovered from this, but still has a cough. She doesn’t see too well, but has all her marbles.
Later, Nick Hayter visited to estimate for decorating the kitchen and sitting room.
This evening we dined on a rack of pork spare ribs served with Jackie’s flavoursome savoury rice topped with an omelette, with which she drank Hoegaarden and I drank Scheiber Cabernet Franc 2015.
It’s now looking decidedly wintery
It is rather – yet surprisingly warm – 11 degrees when we were there late morning. Thanks very much, Sheree.
I don’t call 11C warm Derrick! Still, it’s all relative.
Exactly 🙂
It’s good to hear your mum’s marbles haven’t strayed – I sometimes think I’ve lost a few! I thought the header pic was the feathers of an ostrich or emu or some other largish avian peculiar ….. never occurred to me it was a poor frosty donkey! As usual there are many eye-catching shots of scenic beauty for which I thank you x
Thanks very much, Pauline X
I at first thought the header was feathers. It was my favorite of the group. The fur made such a symmetrical pattern.
Thanks for that, Liz
🙂
Oh Derrick, please send down some rain to us……
https://youtu.be/NR5SHuJDlUQ
I wish I could, Ivor. Terrific recording. Many thanks.
I also thought the header photo was a feather. Nicely done. Glad your mum is recovering.
Thanks very much, Oglach
It looks like a miserable day, but you got some fabulous shots. I love the reflections and how you caught the ripples and falling rain. That poor donkey does not seem happy, but your mom does. I’m glad she’s feeling better.
Thank you very much, Merril. Our Moms are something we have in common.
Yes, very true.
Lovely reflection shots, Derrick. I’m happy your mum is feeling better. She looks great! My father has been suffering with a similar illness. I’m trying to get him to do another round of antibiotics.
Thanks very much, Jill. Good luck with your father – tell him Mum’s second round worked.
I will…thanks!
The donkey patterns picture was a masterstroke.
So pleased, Tootlepedal. Thanks very much.
I am pleased your Mum is feeling better; she has a lovely smile!
I also think the donkey hair pattern photo is marvellous as well as that first photo of the ‘glistening golden oak leaves’.
Thanks very much, Clare.
Even the moss seems to glow in this light. The leaves in that first photo were giving off their own light! Your mother was looking good in that picture. Glad she is better and that you and Jackie dined so well.
Thank you very much, Lisa.
Each photo is like a stanza of a poem, beautiful and rich in texture. I’m glad your mom is getting better. I hope the cough goes away soon and she keeps her marbles.
Thanks very much for this, JoAnna.
You have turned a potentially miserable, moody, grey day into a marvellously sensuous experience in which we see, hear, smell and touch the environment with extraordinary delight – the taste came afterwards, when we dined with you 🙂
Wonderful comments, Anne. Thank you very much.
Such beautiful textured photos! And lovely Mum!
Thanks very much, Luanne.
OH! 🙂 So good to see your precious Mum! Continued prayers for her. And (((HUGS))) for her, too.
Lichen, moss, reflections, leaves, ponies, and the frosty donkey…all beautiful!!! 🙂
And I hope the donkey found some warm. 🙂
HUGS!!! 🙂
Thanks very much, Carolyn X
I especially like the reflection pictures!
Thanks very much, Andrew
Well done, Derrick. I think that, as a group, those are some of the best autumn pictures you have taken.
Thanks you very much, John. I do appreciate it.
What a beautiful Autumn day thanks for sharing, and your mum looks happy and healthy.
Thanks very much, msw.
Plenty of rain up here too, and the last few days thick fog but in the valley, it remained clear as a bell!
As usual your photographs are lovely. I especially like the reflections, oh and those poor damp ponies and donkey too. Not much food to forage so I hope their owners are supplementing.
I’m glad your mum is on the mend.
Thanks very much, Sue. I’m not sure about the owners . The animals get very bony during a poor winter.
Despite the weather, you two seem to have had a good day! (and that’s what matters!)
Indeed, GP. Thanks very much.
Loved the donkey fur close-up…and of course your mum. Hug Jackie.
Thanks very much, Flower
Glad your mother is feeling better. What a wonderful smile!
Thanks very much, Laurie
Wetness always makes it feel so much colder. So glad your mother is doing better, and that she is still all there. There is a lot to be said for that. As for your photos – they always warm my heart. They give even a gloomy autumn day definition and beauty.
Thank you very much, Anna
Love the description of the leaves leaving their branches and dropping eventually into swirling raindrop ripples and all the photos of oak leaves, though the very first one is my favourite. “Tangled skeins,” my you were feeling poetic when you wrote this. No doubt inspired by the sights. I love how the close up view of wet donkey fur looks like frost patterns! Walking around all those soaked animals….was it smelly?
Now you come to mention it – it wasn’t smelly really. A wet dog is worse. Thanks very much, Crystal. I sometimes do feel poetic and run with it.
I noticed! I’ve enjoyed it!
Your mother looks great, Derrick. Your reflection photos are marvelous, especially the one with rain drop ripples.
Thanks very much, Dolly
My pleasure, Derrick.
I am glad your mother is feeling better, Derrick! She looks good and has a lovely smile.
Thank you very much, Lavinia