We are finally seeing the arrival of ‘good light’, here in Norfolk. The low winter sun has departed, and with it, the harsh blinding light we have endured since December. Today, I went out with Ollie, and basked in that proper early summer light. Everything looked fresh and clean. Colours are finally rendered correctly. The various shrubs, trees, and grasses have finally managed to display their true greens. The battleship greys of winter are behind us, and the hundreds of different greens, from blue-black, to a yellow hue, are once again visible.
Shadows are evident once more, and my own walked ahead of me , distorted by light into an elongated version of my original. The local river took on a different aspect too. The winter light, harsh and reflective, was replaced by polarising light, enabling me to see the bottom of the shallow water; sometimes sharp clear gravel, other times a muddy mess of decomposing reeds. Butterflies flicker in the sunshine, and by the water’s edge, clouds of tiny insects fly in spirals.
Over at Hoe Rough, the light is sharp, affording a view of at least a mile, if not more. This late afternoon light is the best you will ever see; untroubled by pollution, excessive cloud formation, or haze. The bees are busy, sounding loud and alarming after a long winter absence. Flowers emerge on the spiny bushes, and the different hues of the shrubs are at long last discernible. This is a great time of year. Pleasantly warm, but not unduly hot. Blue skies with a light that illuminates all, dappling the shadows, and the tree branches looming large. This light is elusive, and much sought-after by photographers and painters. It lasts but a short time, before being replaced by dazzling sunshine. It is simply magical.
I could live forever in this light.
It is the light of composition, of adequate but unobtrusive reflection, a light reluctant to depart at dusk. I could have lived out my days in London, and never noticed it.
In Norfolk, it cries out for attention, for praise, and acclamation. It is wonderful.
Beautiful words about the world around you. You reveled in the moment, paid attention, and were given a great gift. Best to you, Pete.
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Thanks very much for reading this old post, Jennie.
Best wishes, Pete.
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It was a pleasure to read, Pete! Best to you.
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So beautifully poetic, Pete. I enjoyed this very much.
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Thanks, Maggie. I think I found my ‘muse’ that afternoon. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Fortunate for us that you did.
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This is so beautifully visual even without an accompanying photo!
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Thanks, Kim. Being me, I of course neglected to take out a camera that day. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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A lovely post, Pete. Very descriptive. It’s nice that your are so enamored with your home and its land. No doubt your patch of land has inspired you. I’m glad. Thanks for sharing and reminding me that spring is just around the corner, good Lord willing.
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Thanks, Pam. I was very inspired by the differences of living in the countryside, compared to 60 years in a big city like London. Everything is so different here.
Best wishes, Pete.
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This is a lovely post, Pete. I’m longing for the light as right now I seem to be living in a perpetually grey world. Even the blinding winter sun would be welcome!
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We have that blinding sun here today, Mary. I’m not complaining, I assure you, but I had to close the curtains to be able to see the News on TV. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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I once spent a wonderful two weeks in Norfolk, on a boat with my entire family. I remember the light, so very different from London…
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Today, we have that harsh ‘low winter sun’. Good to see the brightness, but until midday, we have to close the front curtains, as it is impossible to see anything otherwise.
The light I wrote about here is only with us for a short time, but is rather magical.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I remember…
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Reblogged this on beetleypete and commented:
Another reblog, this time from 2015. Hard to believe it was almost five years ago…If you were not following my blog back then, it should be new to you.
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Beautiful post Pete, rich with poetic descriptions of the Norfolk countryside which always sounds enticing in your posts. Love the new image in your banner. Very Best wishes, Jane x
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Thanks Jane. I definitely had a ‘moment’ that afternoon, and it inspired the change in style and theme of the post, which I am really pleased about. Thanks for taking time to catch up on all these posts by the way, it is much appreciated. X
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I have not enough words in english to describe how wonderful is your post!
Thank you so much! Best wishes from the rainy German North Sea! 🙂
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Thanks Irene. That is a very kind comment indeed.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Oh this makes me want to go for a drink and talk more!
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Feel free to come to Norfolk. We will go and have that drink somewhere!
Best wishes, Pete.
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Wow, the way you describe it is just perfect. We are having a hot, hot weather here and you can do nothing outside. I enjoy reading though in the comfort of home.
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Thanks Arlene. I don’t envy you that too-hot weather. It ‘s just right here at the moment.
Best wishes, Pete.
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You describe the light so perfectly Pete.
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Thanks V. It was a moment of clarity, in more ways than one.
Cheers, Pete.
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It sounds great.
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Poetry, Pete.
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Too kind Pippa. x
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And painterly, too. XX
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I was wondering where you had gone, now your back, wonderful post Pete as so many have said in words better than mine.
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Cheers Eddy, I was just waiting for the right moment I suppose.
And this was it.
Best wishes from Norfolk. Pete.
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The best time of day is evening here in Las Vegas. The folds in the desert mountains are cast into shadow, giving the mountains a beautiful relief, and the exposed flanks take on a purple hue.
I would love to experience the spring light in Beetley as you describe it. Your descriptions are quite vivid, and though they tickled my imagination, I would truly like to witness all of this first-hand.
Thanks for a great post!
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Thanks David. I doubt that humble Beetley could compare to the majestic mountains, and the vastness of the Mojave Desert, but it does have its moments.
Best wishes as always, Pete.
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Well said Pete. The light here has been exceptionally clear the last couple of days, enabling me to see the distant south Shropshire hills without the haze. And the colours are astonishing, myriads of greens lined the roads from Cornwall to Shropshire when only a couple of weeks ago the major colours were brown and black with a froth of white blackthorn. A marvellous ending to April.
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Glad to hear that the radiance is with you in the West too Jude. x
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I could live forever in this light….Love that. 🙂
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Thanks Koko, glad you liked it.
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Great words Pete, the best yet.
Love Ro x
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The best yet- high praise indeed Ro. Happy to see that you liked this one mate. x
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Pete, what a delightful post here today as always… You are my friend a master of words and should publish a novel. I for one would completely enjoy reading it.
Take care and happy blogging to ya, from Laura ~
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As always Laura, you are lavish with your praise, and most kind too.
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I agree with you, Laura!
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I’ll tell you what cries out for praise and acclamation, this post! It is beautiful and evocative and makes me want to drive out there and experience this splendour for myself. Put the kettle on! x
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I will even supply delicious cake! Back to the ‘old’ photo it seems? Or is it a new one?xx
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Oohh cake! Yes please! It’s more recent than the other one. Glad you like it xx
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I am so happy to have you back. I am smiling so much, my cheeks are bulging. x
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*Squish!* Wait till I tell you about volunteering for an art-house cinema that screens great British classics… Lean, Hitch, Reed, etc. In fact I shall blog about it. Watch this space! x
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