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With most of the rest of the country under snow, our little micro-climate had none, and was just minus two degrees when Jackie drove me out to the forest this morning.
Around Wootton and Wilverley Plain, the terrain and its pools felt freezing frosty fingers;
frigid ferns flickered;
fallen leaves lit and unlit lay lambent or shaded.
Trees, bracken, and lichen brightened as the sun rose above larger arboreal screens.
Dog walkers strode across the plain.
Steam spiralled from nostrils of cattle and ponies.
A fret saw had been applied to the small patches of frozen water scattered among layers of leaves and pebbles, producing delicate ice art.
The way we live now means that friends and relatives dropping in on spec is largely a thing of the past. That our niece, Danni does this periodically is therefore doubly pleasurable, because she is, of course, delightful company, and knows a thing or two about the use of computers.
We enjoyed convivial company for an hour or two and she was able to confirm that I wasn’t doing anything wrong in trying to search out receipt of a recorded delivery letter I had sent to a partner of O’Neill Patient, the solicitors who had provided such appalling service over the remortgage. Almost a month after sending the letter I had received no reply, so, this morning sent a rather shirty e-mail. The response was that they had never received the letter.
After spending the best part of half an hour on the phone to Royal Mail, I learned that the letter had never been delivered, and had neither been kept by them nor returned to me. Apologies were profuse. I then sent another e-mail apologising for the tone of my first, sending a copy of the letter, and stating that, when the recipient had read it, he would understand why I had assumed that it had been received but not reached his desk.
Later this afternoon I collected the currency from the bank and posted it to Australia.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s famed chicken jalfrezi and pilau rice. My wife drank Hoegaarden and I drank Mendoza Parra Alta Malbec 2016.
54 responses to “Ice Art”
Love your photos of the steam-breathed, sun-edged horses. Also enjoyed your continued inclusion of highly alliterative language, Derrick.
Many thanks, Roland – I just ran with it
I love the ice shots, Derrick! I’m sorry you’re still having difficulties with the mortgage company. “We didn’t get it” sounds like a lame excuse for, we screwed up. I hope things work out soon.
Many thanks, Jill. Unfortunately this time Royal Mail owned up to not having delivered the letter
As always the ponies appeal to me but my favourite shot is the frosted oak leaves.
Many thanks, Susanne
Love the magical frosted oak leaves.
Many thanks, Jeanne
Steam spiralling from the nostrils of the animals- the pictures are wonderful! The “iced” photos are just glorious.
We had our dinner with chicken pulau and Spicy chicken…quite similar… 😀
Thanks very much, Maniparna. As you know, we love Indian food
Yes, I know… 🙂
That last collection of four pics remind me of some of M.C. Escher’s amazing artworks. 😀
Very many thanks, Widders
After abusing the solicitors wrongfully, perhaps you should have hopped a plane, and delivered the money personally.
.I like the way you’re laying out your photographs. Really looks first class
Very many thanks, Brian
The Iceman seems to have used a soft brush in your neighbourhood. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of the mail carriers and mortgage handlers. We have much bitter (and shocking experiences) out here on regular basis. We are spared the icy claws of winter though in most parts of the country.
Thanks a lot, Uma. I am sure we are fortunate when compared to you
Absolute treat for eyes! The photos are so wonderful that I just kept staring, one look wasn’t enough ☺️☺️
Very many thanks, Ashish and Charu
What a beautiful post!
Many thanks, Bridget
These pictures are amazing Derrick! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Very many thanks, Geetha
Most welcome Derrick 🙂
Snow is beautiful, of course but often ice and frost are even more so …..gilding as they do rather than concealing. My favourite moment in this entire piece though was the simple comment ‘my wife drank ….’ ❤️
So pleased, Osyth. Jackie liked it, too. Thanks very much for noticing. X
😊
When it comes to taking pictures, you can’t beat ice and frost. Even after our devastating ice storm in 1998, there were opportunities for lovely photos. Glad to read things have cleared up with the remortgage.
Many thanks, Laurie
Ugh, good for you for resolving lagging communication errors… I would personally much rather lose myself in ice art. 🙂
Sound choice, Anna. Many thanks
The frost and ice photos are splendid, Derrick, as are your lovely descriptive phrases.
I’m glad you got the situation straightened out with the mortgage company.
Thanks very much, Merril
Such cool photos Derrick! I love the ending saying your wife! So cute!
Lovely, Lynn. I’m pleased the ending didn’t go unnoticed. Many thanks
It was sweeet
Great photos, loved the puddles and back-lit ponies.
I was worried what had occurred between Jackie the cook and your wife the wine drinker. 🙂
The Head Gardener intervened 🙂 Thanks, Quercus
🙂
Fantastic images. Love the back-lit ponies, frost and ice..
Many thanks, Inese
Beautiful ice and frost pictures and wonderful alliterative prose.
Many thanks, Cllare
It was 25ºc at midnight but the temperature has been dropping since. It won’t get hotter today if you believe the forecast; ten degrees cooler than yesterday. Your ice cooled me further but the clothes on the dog walkers didn’t.
🙂 Many thanks, Mary
Wonderful shots, enjoyed them immensely.
Thanks very much, Cynthia.
I am glad to hear your remortgage situation has been resolved. What a nightmare!
Beautiful photos, Derrick. The ice is very artistic.
Very many thanks, Lavinia
Nature is so underrated
Thank you Halsey
Look at this beauty
Thank you, Halsey
Welcome!!