This was a much milder day – the consequence of a wet, overcast morning. In anticipation of a possible break in the weather, we drove to Cadnam in ever-increasing rain. By the time we reached
Wittensford Lane the rain had ceased, clouds were on the move, and the sun took an occasional peek onto the landscape.
The stream flowed across the ford.
I watched Jackie sending spray either side of the Modus as she crossed the water,
and followed by way of the footbridge.
Reflections and oak leaves lay on and under the pools in the gutter
and the forded overflow.
We turned left into Kewlake Lane,
where, in order to focus on the landscape I stepped gingerly over fallen oak leaves covering lichen coated branches and barbed wire broken from a fence guarding
this scene.
Another roadside pool reflected overhead
naked oak branches set against the variable sky
which gave the landscape a light that belied the time of mid-afternoon.
Occasional flocks like these gulls speckled the skies.
While still on Kewlake Lane we approached silhouettes of sheep on a darkened ridge.
Nearer home, Sway Tower was just visible.
It must have been London’s Piccadilly Theatre in which I saw the musical show Black Nativity and bought the vinyl recording in 1962. Wikipedia tells us about the exhilarating production which had come to London the year after its opening on Broadway. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Nativity
This memorable song ran through my head as I gazed up at these clouds.
Here is a “Where’s Nugget?” (51) Jackie made earlier. Biggifying the image is recommended as our resident robin attempts to hide behind an honesty seedpod.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s delicious cottage pie; crunchy carrots, cauliflower, and broccoli; and tender cabbage with tasty gravy. The Culinary Queen drank Blue Moon and I drank Patrick Chodot Fleurie 2018.
Great pictures, Derrick. And thanks for forewarning us to enlarge the picture for Nugget! He really was camouflaged today!
Thanks very much, GP. Well spotted.
just wish you put the song first so I could have enjoyed it during the post – but I am still enjoying it – the photos and song – thumbs up
Thanks very much, Yvette. Good point – but it was quite short 🙂
🙂
Love a good bit of gospel singing!! I searched and searched and then finally found him exactly where I thought he wasn’t. Well played Nugget!!
Very well spotted, Pauline. Thanks very much.
To my shame, biggify as I did, I couldn’t find Nugget. To your credit, Derrick, your after-the-rain photos are marvelous.
Many thanks, Dolly. No need for shame – it was very difficult
You are very welcome, Derrick.
Looks like threatening clouds. Love your photos of the countryside.
Many thanks, Arlene
Love the moody photos. It was milder here but wet.
Thanks very much, Gary.
Great photos
Thank you very much, More.
You’re very welcome
I think I see Nugget.
Well spotted, Leslie. Thanks very much.
Good choice of music.
A great show, Tootlepedal. Many thanks.
At least it was beautiful.🌹
🙂 Thanks very much, Laleh.
Always pleasure.🌹
My tired eyes struggled to find Nugget. Great countryside photos, Derrick!
Thanks very much, Jill. Nugget was very difficult this time.
Oh! These photos are so artistic! Photo #14 from the top…I could stare at that for a long time! So beautiful! It’s like the tree “arms” are supporting the fluffy-cottony clouds!
Great to see the birds and sheep carrying-on even on a cloudy day. 🙂
And the music was wonderful! A foot-tappin’, hand-clappin’ song for sure!
Love that Nugget gave us his backside today as he tried to hide behind that little leaf! 😉 Good job, Nugget!!! 😀 (The bark on that tree is so pretty and definitely camo-y!
HUGS!!! 🙂
Thank you very much, Carolyn. Well spotted. That was a most memorable show. Many of the songs are on Youtube. X
Some great pictures–really liked the soft focus leaves in water and the post as well as branches reflected in water.
Thanks very much for this, Cynthia.
Beautiful Blog You Have Here
Thanks very much, Donkey Whisperer.
Lovely reflections! My feet are tapping as I listen to Black Nativity.
Thanks very much, JoAnna. I’ve never forgotten the show.
I was easily submerged in those deeply moody shots. The Resident Robin has become one with the pixels of the photograph.
Thank you very much, Uma. Nugget was a tough one.
All that water when we have none! The reflections are beautiful and you have captured a lovely mood in all of your photographs.
Thank you very much, Anne. So sorry about your rain.
I enjoyed the song. The perfect accompaniment to the atmospheric photos. Alas, even with biggifying, Nugget eluded me this time.
Thanks very much, Liz. Nugget was very difficult. Back view behind lozenge shaped seedpod to the right.
I see him now!
Lovely photograph of the lone tree against the angry sky.
Thanks very much, John. My favourite, too.
I’m glad you chose the foot bridge, for a moment there I thought you were going to wade through the water! Could not spot Nugget today, but might try again later.
Thanks very much, Sue. Back view behind lozenge shaped seedpod. To right on stone. It was very tough
Beautiful photos as always.
Thanks very much, Lisa.
I agree, you have captured the mood of the season in your lovely photos, Derrick. We have rain here today, and our skies mirror yours.
Thank you very much, Lavinia
Wonderful images and music, Derrick! Thanks so very much.
Thanks very much, Ann.
I thought I’d found Nugget straight away, but I’d confused the clay-colored pot in the upper left for him. A little more searching, and I finally found him.
I’d not heard of Black Nativity — very interesting, especially since I was familiar with Langston Hughes at the time of its introduction, and knew most of the songs. You’ve reminded me of another West End show I saw in 1974 — Ipi Tombi. There’s a full recording of the London show here. Two highlights (“Shosholoza” and “The Digger”) begin at 52:25.
The best version of “Shosholoza” I’ve ever been privileged to hear was performed by the Drakensberg Boys Choir. As luck would have it, they’re on YouTube. It’s chillingly beautiful.
You know how YouTube is. I found one more version with lyrics and translation.
The Drakies have produced a marvel. Thanks very much, Linda.
Well spotted, Linda. And many thanks for the music.
Such beautiful pictures, Derrick! I enjoyed the song very much and had never heard of ‘Black Nativity’ before.
I was just 20 at the time, and captivated. Thanks very much, Clare.
These are such dramatic pictures, Derrick. I enjoyed them very much!
Thank you very much, Barbara
Beautiful pictures Derrick.
Thanks very much, Sumith
Wonderful photos, love the dark branches against the winter sky.
Thanks very much, Libre
Beautiful photo’s Derek – you’ve certainly captured the mood of the last month.
Thanks very much, Stuart. I trust you are both OK.
Yes thanks Derek – we’re well but just very busy – I’m looking forward to a week off!
Beautiful captures Derrick.
Thanks very much, Sumith. Are you still posting? I’m not getting alerts.
Derrick, I was on a break. Will be updating soon. Thanks for your support.