This morning Jackie drove us to Lymington Quay where, after a short wait watching the harbour, we boarded Puffin Billy for a thirty minute tour.
Approaching midday in sultry weather, most visitors were taking a rest on the many available seats.
One of these watchers was prevailed upon to walk her little boy around the quay to see the ducks.
He became very excited when the Isle of Wight Ferry terminal train crossed the bridge over the untroubled water.
A colourful conversation took place on a moored boat.
Once started out on our trip in hazy midday sun, apart from one exception, shapes became more important than colour. A young family in the prow seats watched as we neared the yachts, moored at a cost of £10,000 per annum.
Our friendly guide pointed out the tallest ship, built in 1913, that is on the market for a cool £3,500,000.
We were rather too close for me to photograph the whole thing, so I had to be satisfied with a man up the mast.
On our return we skirted the opposite side of the harbour, so I took the shot then.
An interesting array of footwear was sported by our fellow passengers.
The exception to monochrome was the view of Lymington Marshes.
The Mallards hitching a lift on a dinghy insisted on being shown in all their glory.
Back home the sun continued burning, but, now no longer directly overhead, was more conducive to photography.
A scarlet climbing rose has now taken over the wisteria’s arbour.
Our more flamboyant poppies are now coming into bloom;
this one is reflected by a pink hydrangea in Elizabeth’s Bed.
This rose in The Oval Bed is labelled Pink Abundance. We are not sure about the colour description.
The Rose Garden received a good sprinkling.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s excellent chicken jalfrezi, vegetable rice and samosas; followed by her sponge cake. She drank Hoegaarden, I finished the Fleurie, and Sheila drank water.