We enjoyed another bright and sunny day, albeit a little cooler. A light, short-lived frost had left strings of pearls around our early flowers including
hellebores I had overlooked yesterday,
and prunus pissardi.
This afternoon I watched recorded highlights of last Sunday’s drawn rugby match between Ireland and Wales. This is a very rare result these days, and you have to go back 42 years to the last evenly scored game between these two teams.
After this, Jackie drove us to Ferndene Farm Shop where we bought three bags of compost; then meandered around the forest as far as Godshill and back along Roger Penny Way.
The sun romped in and out of the clouds in the ever-changing skies spilling light and shade over the heathland where well-fattened ponies, with their magpie acolytes, chomped their way across the turf.
When these free-creatures of The New Forest fancied the grass would be greener on the other side, they wandered across the road, exercising their inalienable right to hold up the traffic.
The recent storms have brought down numbers of trees such as this oak, its trunk shattered, on the approach to Burley,
where another, more dead than alive, still stood,
and where one pony left its companions foraging whilst it had a good arboreal scratch.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s spicy chicken curry; savoury rice; and vegetable samosas and pakoras; followed by Sicilian lemon tart and evap. She drank Hoegaarden and I drank Fortnum & Mason Saint-Emilio grand cru 2011, given to me by Luci and Wolf for Christmas.
I’m glad they (probably generally) leave the dead trees standing. They’re like sculptures in a forest.
They are, Bruce. The fallen ones are left, too. Thanks
What a beautiful journey again. I love the images of the clouds with the light captured behind them. Such lovely pictures. Thanks for sharing
Thank you, Geetha. Dreamy
Welcome Derrick 🙂
Gorgeous skyscapes and landscapes…..seeing that pony has me itching to join him for a good scratch!
Thanks, Cynthia
I am excited to note the purchasing of bags of compost. This indicates the garden is about to begin receiving it’s early spring clean up and planting may soon begin ……….
Yes, Pauline. Thanks
Oh yes, the sap is rising, and this birds song is a’changing.
That pony looks so cute; I love its little ear. And the clouds!
Thanks, Mary
Great images, Derrick.
Thanks, Cynthia
Leaving aside the pesky ponies and their ‘God Bless the Duke of Argyle’ moment, Burley will always mean one thing (apart from Christmas Cricket, being chased by a pig on the golf course, summer crowds and the annual Scout orienteering competition in the 70s!) and that is the Flying G Ranch where you could pretend to be a cowpoke back in the 60s 70s. Long gone sadly I believe but a real treat to see with all their western style gear – as long as I kept a distance from the horses. Very Bonanza cum High Chapparal’ http://www.britishpathe.com/video/hampshire-hombres
It’s all witches now, Geoff. Thanks
Yes, they really are the free spirits of the forest, aren’t they?
Yes, John. Thanks
Your skies are astonishing. Lovely hellebores, too!
Thanks, Lisa
Lovely photos. It’s nice to see the early flowers. We don’t have any like that, but I did see a snowdrop had bloomed the other day–while it was snowing!
Many thanks, Merril
Derrick, what lovely photos. The macro shot of the flower was brilliant. The dewdrops were awesome. That final scratch looked very relaxing. I especially like your phrasing: “arboreal scratch.” Have a lovely Valentine’s weekend. xo
Many thanks, Sabiscuit, Glad you liked them
Your sky shots are amazing, Derrick. I particularly enjoyed first, so ominous.
The spicy chicken curry sounds yummy!
Thanks, Jill
Sounds like a perfect day. The flowers are gorgeous.
Thanks, Leslie. We’ve had a good week
(Smiling) thank you Derrick for sharing some beautiful photos of Spring and appreciation for life!
Many thanks Val
Please sir, what is “eval”?
You now qualify to join my team of poof redders. It was a typo for evap – a short term for evaporated milk. Thanks, Yvonne
Oh, heck, I thought I was going to learn some exotic new culinary term, Derrick.
One of my absolute favorite titles and beautiful accompanying horse. This kept me near to things I miss♡
Many thanks, Candice
♡
Prunus pissardi–quite a name and a very good shot.
Thanks, Cynthia G. The name does amuse us
Where do you live that you always have flowers? That tree looks ancient. I really like it a lot.
Thank you, Weekly. We are in The New Forest area, near the South coast of Hampshire. This has been an exceptionally mild winter
What’s not to love about a good arboreal scratch? Lovely post, Derrick! 🙂
I sometimes enjoy one on the open bathroom door when I get up in the night 🙂 Thanks, Anna
Wonderful photos, as always. I feel as though I am right along with you and Jackie. But my favorite is the macro of the flower.
Many thanks, Laurie
This is a lovely collection of photos, Derrick. I’m with Laurie–my favorite is the flower macro too.
Many thanks, pagedogs.
The wonders of WordPress that I get to see clouds on both sides of the Atlantic on the same day. I love the bare old oak photo. That’s kind of how I feel today when the winds are howling and snow blowing and we all stay inside because it’s -25 Celcius out there. Nice to see spring arriving in your ‘hood.
Thanks, Susanne. That is cold, indeed
I had a busy week do sorry for heading backwards to feel caught up with your part of the world, Derrick.
I loved the beauty in the frozen pearls or droplets captured by you in the photos of flowers!
Thanks, Robin. With your loyalty, no apology is required
I love those pictures with big, fluffy and nervous clouds.
Very funny that pony with his arboreal scratch 🙂
Beautiful post, Derrick.
Many thanks, Monica
You’re always welcome, Derrick 🙂
Looks like another lovely day. 😉
’twas, thanks, Quercus
Wow what a beautiful journey …that pony looks so gorgeous there… beautiful…
Thank you, Chitra