This Wednesday weather was warm, wet, yet unwilling to welcome the slightest sign of sunshine.
Jackie and I visited Lyndurst for a little Christmas shopping then enjoyed
brunch at Lyndhurst Tea Rooms, after which we took a trip by car into the dripping forest.
A clutch of chickens at East Boldre
gave the cold shoulder to
a pair of geese who were no doubt discussing their chances of making it through Christmas.
Peering through the misty precipitation from the end of Tanner’s Lane I presumed that EU regulations have not restricted the activities of the sole fishing boat trawling The Solent at that point.
On such a day as this, loggers burning branches at Norley Wood surely had no need of the flames to keep them warm.
A string of ponies blocking the road at Pilley conveniently stepped aside, just giving me time to bring up the tail.
We retuned home via Burnt House Lane, where there was no flame in sight.
Tomorrow morning, Elizabeth will be driving Mum to a respite care home in Netley. In readiness for this, friends Pauline and Jo sent Elizabeth this photograph, attached to a text with the caption
Cheering up your Mum.
On the wall to the far right of this picture is a charcoal portrait of Elizabeth watching our first television that I made about 60 years ago.
This evening we dined on smoked haddock; creamy mashed potatoes; piquant cauliflower cheese; moist ratatouille; crisp carrots; and tender runner beans. Jackie drank Hoegaarden and Elizabeth and I drank Western Cape Malbec 2018.