Today I invite you to take the perimeter walk with me. When I did this three days ago, I undertook to repeat it in a photo shoot. This is it:
At first the path looks wide and safe enough.
The house can be seen through the occasional gap in the fence on our left.
To the right we can look down further into the forest.
Soon we reach the more precarious sections, where the fence makes a handy grab rail.
The animal tracks largely follow the contour lines.
Whilst clinging to the fence don’t forget to enjoy the forest views in the sunlight.
We have long shadows,
dappled fallen trees,
animal tracks,
and leafy banks.
We are getting near the dicey bit,
and managing to pass the slope I slid down until I reached that tree on the left.
That bird flitting about is a robin. It has come to rest. Can you see it now?
As we take a left bend alongside Running Hill, Eleanor’s abandoned den comes into view,
as does the house itself, seen through the rhododendrons in which she built it. Backtracking, I see there is a section of the fallen fence that we can step over.
So, taking a last look at the downward sloping bank outside,
let’s go inside, and grapple with the the ancient rhododendrons
until we return to the garden via John’s compost heaps.
After bidding you farewell the day continued with a drive to Nomansland , around which Jackie and I wandered for a while.
Wagtails waded in the car park puddles. What is it with wagtails and car parks? Even town car parks often host them. Certainly the one in Ringwood does.
Stretched out on the ground, breathing strongly, a possibly pregnant mare alarmed me a little. It is not a position in which ponies are often seen. We are supposed to report sick or injured animals. Was this one in trouble, or was she just having a siesta? How would I know? She had a companion who stood in the usual motionless stance not batting an eyelid. Until she, maybe the midwife, turned, bent her head, and nuzzled the prone animal. By the time Jackie and I had returned up the slope from the edge of the green, both creatures had disappeared. Their places had been taken by donkeys.
This evening Jackie fed us on lamb steaks with crisp vegetables, including cauliflower and broccoli in a gentle cheese sauce. I finished the Languedoc.