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.
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We began our trip at Milford on Sea where the waves were very choppy and the wind,
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against which Jackie photographed me battling, blustering fiercely.
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While the Assistant Photographer was intent on catching me with gulls, I aimed to catch them frolicking on the thermals,
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after which they would bask and blink in the warmth of the car park tarmac.
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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.
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Small groups walked along the promenade and couples played bowls.
Just as we were leaving, Jackie photographed an oil rig far out to sea.
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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
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landscapes on both sides.
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Gnarly shadows sprawled along the verges; a recently ripped branch stretched across the sward.
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Riding horses occupying a field on my left still wore rugs during this period when the night temperatures are still close to zero centigrade.
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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.