Belying the cold wind which did not lessen until late afternoon, the such shone between fast moving fluffy cotton clouds. A brief garden survey revealed a few broken plant stems and one smashed owl. We decided to return to the clearance work tomorrow, and go out for a drive after lunch.
Martin from Crestwood flooring visited this morning to take measurements for our next refurbishment project. I then began drafting Danni’s guest post, ‘Ella And The Bin Men’ which I posted before we went out.
We began our trip at Milford on Sea where the waves were very choppy and the wind,
against which Jackie photographed me battling, blustering fiercely.
While the Assistant Photographer was intent on catching me with gulls, I aimed to catch them frolicking on the thermals,
after which they would bask and blink in the warmth of the car park tarmac.
Across the Solent the cliffs of the Isle of Wight were in clear view, and gorse on our side tumbled down the ever-eroding cliffs beneath which painted beech huts nestled.
Small groups walked along the promenade and couples played bowls.
Just as we were leaving, Jackie photographed an oil rig far out to sea.
We turned inland and drove past roofers at perilous work along Barton Court Road.
On the Norley Wood end of Burley Road a garden encampment seemed to have taken a buffeting.
I disembarked at Braggers Lane to focus on
landscapes on both sides.
Gnarly shadows sprawled along the verges; a recently ripped branch stretched across the sward.
Riding horses occupying a field on my left still wore rugs during this period when the night temperatures are still close to zero centigrade.
Cattle on the other side lay down in a line, keeping the grass warm.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s hot and spicy lamb jalfrezi and pilau rice with which I drank more of the Fleurie. These pots contain enough for a good five meals.