After lunch on a glorious summer’s day, we took Sheila on a drive through the forest via Brockenhurst, Lymington, and Milford on Sea.
It is the season for foals in the forest. Traffic calming structures include short wooden bollards and widened kerbs on either side of the roads, forcing traffic into single files. The necessity for this was evident as one little filly, closely chaperoned by her mother, perched precariously on the kerb, in an effort to relieve herself of irritation she probably didn’t yet know was caused by the flies that would plague her for the rest of her life. Eyes closed, she vainly rubbed her head against the bollard. She had trouble arranging her hoofs.
Other adult ponies wandered across the road, holding up the vehicles as usual.
Further along, a toddler in the arms of his carer, was being introduced to more ponies and cattle sheltering in the shade of a tree on the green.
I had met Percy on 29th January in Polly’s Pantry, when I produced ‘Portrait Of A Village’. Because I had enjoyed this teashop, I took Jackie and Sheila there today. Over our beverages, I told them about Percy. Just before we left, in struggled Percy, with the usual amount of courteous assistance and service from the staff. Usually, when you speak to someone you have only met once, and that six months before, you are inclined to think that the observation ‘Nice to see you again’, which is usually accompanied by a quizzical expression, is just a matter of politeness. Not so with Percy. This very bent, disabled, gentleman, definitely did recognise me. His comment was genuine.
Back home, Jackie continued weeding and tidying the garden.
Helicopters can make a vertical descent and land with precision. So it is with those carried by sycamore trees. Stretching across our back drive from North Breeze next door is such a tree that has self-seeded against what is left of the ancient fence. Its seeds, nicknamed helicopters, hang threatening to drop onto our newly gravelled drive. Despite the fact that they are coloured so as to suggest that they may be support vehicles for the Red Arrows, they cannot be allowed to land among our stones. They had to go. I cut off a few of the branches.
Elizabeth called soon after this and joined us for the usual splendid repast served up by the lady of the house. 
We all dined on roast chicken thighs, roasted mushrooms and peppers, Yorkshire pudding, creamy mashed swede and potato, boiled potatoes, carrots, mange-touts and green beans; followed by Sheila’s lemon cake and evap. Jackie drank Hoegaarden; Sheila lemonade; and Elizabeth and I, Louis de Camponac merlot 2014.
Wonderful to see the ponies wandering freely at a leisurely pace. HA! yes, sycamore seeds do rather grow like wildfire if not kept in check – though the ‘helicopters’ do look pretty in pink.
Thank you Peggy
Each time I read you, I feel pacified and I smile… Thank you Derrick for the beauty you spread 😉
Thank you. That’s a beautiful comment
Well I remember as a little boy climbing the sycamore trees to drop the twirling helicopters!
🙂
Your photos of the foal are beautiful.
Thank you Pauline
Lovely ponies- very well captured….
Thank you Chitra
“Swede” and “mange-touts” are new expressions for me. The former, I have found, is what we call “rutabaga” and the latter, “snow peas”…both of which I now find quite familiar and delectable.
In New Zealand we are clearly mongrels: we use swede for rutabaga and snow peas for mange-touts.
Thank you Bruce
Thank you Cynthia
Thanks for dinner. Winged seeds are so inspiring. And what can I say about the filly but awwww
Thank you Mary
We have ponies wandering about on Chincoteague and Assateague Islands off the coast of Virginia. They even pester people for food. I imagine they are also pestered by flies. The little filly was charming, if a bit itchy.
Thank you Lisa
On the Eastern Shore of Maryland in the United States is sandy beach where wild horses roam free. It’s called Assateague Island. I’ve been there several times, and it is always a lovely experience to see the horses milling about. Here’s a video if you’d like to see the wild horses. I love them.
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=assateague+island+horses&FORM=VIRE2#view=detail&mid=9F8E64748293E59CBC539F8E64748293E59CBC53
Thank you Kate. Not too dissimilar from our New Forest ponies
Such a fuzzy fillie!
Thank you Laura
You’re welcome Derrick. So cute. 🙂
This day was lovely I think 🙂
Thank you Ina. It was.
Now this looks like a wonderful day.
Thank you
Can I come? 😉
🙂
Great photos and it sounds like a great day! Am sure Sheila is enjoying her visit! As per the comment above Derrick, your writing and photos bring peace and tranquility! Much needed and appreciated! 🙂
Many thanks Rob