Driving through a dark part of the New Forest on a very bright day, you begin to see things in black and white, especially at the periphery of your field of view.
As we pass a side-lane, a momentary glance freezes a picture which the mind resolves in to a painting in sable, silver and gold.
The bright lane leading to a steep roofed cottage, dark with a tall chimney in a gap in the wood.
In the lane, towards the house, a slender black cat pauses to glance our way and holds one front foot raised in mid-stride.
In the foreground, a golden hen tiptoes across her own sharp shadow.
Peace and tranquility in a bubble of time.
