On another sunny, bright, and cold day a brisk morning foray into a garden somewhat
iced up, as on the surface of this water-filled trug,
revealed our model pig celebrating his escape from crushing by the recently fallen tree by casting his shadows across the patio paving.
On the rooftop, the jackdaws are vociferously laying their customary claim to nesting rights in the disused chimney pots.
This afternoon we took a forest drive to Bisterne Close and back.
The decorated post box in Wootton Road now celebrates New Year.
The water-filled woodland as we turn into the close reflected the low sun peering through the trees.
The woodland floor is now dry enough to crackle the leaves, yet still fresh enough for mossy roots.
Ponies wandered freely;
one enjoyed a roll in the leaves, rising in the usually ungainly fashion and wandering off, oblivious of the coat of leaves it now wore.
I spotted Jackie photographing the woodland some distance off and only later realised that she was intrigued by wondering how this hollowed trunk could remain standing.
More sunlight reflections bounced from the icy surface of the close’s seasonal pool.
This evening we all dined on Jackie’s tasty beef pie; boiled new potatoes; crunchy carrots; firm cauliflower and broccoli, and thick, meaty, gravy with which the Culinary Queen finished the Spanish rosado and I drank Carménère Reserva Privada 2022
