This morning we drove to The First Gallery with the last of the prints for the exhibition,
and Jackie’s donation of labelled seedlings,
with which she has included explanatory notes.
On our journey via Beaulieu, cattle basked by the roadside at East Boldre.
Margery and Paul’s reception rooms resembled a frame-maker’s workshop, which, indeed they are at the moment. We are assured all will come right on the night. I commented that there was more work going into the mounting of my pictures than in the printing of them. Paul does make exceedingly good frames.
On our return trip, the cattle had been replaced by donkeys, but we had already seen some by the river at Beaulieu, playing host to parasitic jackdaws. It is very difficult to find somewhere to Park in Beaulieu, so, by the time we did so, the birds that had been fiercely stabbing the hides of the unflinching drowsy asses on which they were perched,
had moved off by the time I had walked back to the scene.
We have often wondered at the obelisk that we have noticed when walking down Lymington High Street,
therefore passing Monument Lane on the approach to this small town, we decided to investigate. There was barely any passing space along this muddy track which led us to:
Clicking on the images above and below
will provide enlarged information giving the story of
the monument.
The notice board explains the railing stumps around the obelisk. These are the residue of iron that was commandeered for World War 2 armaments. Buildings, including residential homes, throughout their lands lost their railings, never to be replaced. It is highly debatable how much of this material was ever actually used for the war effort.
Unsown trees have now grown to fill what was once open parkland,
and muddy, reflective, pools now surround its mound.
This evening we dined on roast duck, mashed potatoes, carrots, and Brussels sprouts followed by treacle tart and cream. Jackie drank Hoegaarden and I finished the madiran.
I recall riding around the countryside with my grandfather who always said the same thing, when we saw cows lying down: It’s gonna rain….the cows are lying down.
My mother says that!!
My Mum, too
And why should lazy or tired cows herald rain?
I never heard that before – I must take notice! 🙂
I never heard that before either. Maybe that’s because the Met Office doesn’t have a cow?
It could be the difference in climate. Just before a rain, here in New England, the changing air pressure makes the air colder. The cows sense this and maybe lie down to conserve body heat. I notice this old farmer’s tale is common to me (in Maine) and Lisa (Illinois) and Derrick (UK) but not to Bruce and Pauline.
Fascinating
My Mum always told me it was to keep warm and keep a patch of the ground dry for themselves before the rain came.
I also heard the same thing in Pennsylvania when I went to college there.
What a great discussion ensued from your comment, Cynthia! I have heard that about cows, but more frequently about sheep. Here in Oregon, when I was a child, the forecasters (or Met Office, for Bruce) would give the official weather forecast and then would report on where the sheep were in the hills. Down in the valleys meant rain, up on the slopes meant sun. A report some time after I grew up and left the state for awhile found that the sheep were correct 70% of the time! (more often than the forecasters)
I love it when discussions ensue
Always love your posts! I will be missing some in the next few days as I will be in Jerusalem! Looking forward to reading them when I come back! Be blessed my friend!
Thank you, Sofia. Enjoy your trip
Contributing a railing makes one feel a part of the war effort and own it. It ennobles the ideal of sacrifice. Good reflection.
Thanks, Mary.
Never noticed that monument, nor heard of the person it’s dedicated to.
Signed: Mr Kipling (not Rudyard: Derrick will know what I mean).
I do – I’m pleased someone got it, Paul
Beautiful photographs. I loved particularly the ones with the rain on the floor
Thanks, Geetha
Welcome Derrick
I was going to ask about the large obelisk, but you graciously provided all that info. The donkeys look pretty calm and happy. I could use a little donkey zen, but without the jackdaws.
Thanks, Lisa
It’s always so funny to see cows and whatnot milling about in your pictures. I live in the country, but cars go tearing about here at such a speed, a meandering cow would not fare well.
LOVE the looks of those seedlings . . . lucky lucky the recipients.
Thanks, Jodie
I’m blowed if I’ve ever seen that monument. I’ll ask my brother
Wow! He’ll know
Another wonderful post that shows so many things I have never seen. Thanks derrick!
Thanks, Lynn
most welcome! Always very interesting
This morning while commuting to work, I almost had a collision with a herd of six deer. They darted out in front of my car. One froze in the middle of the road when my headlights hit it. I’d prefer to see them lounging around like your animals. 🙂
Thanks, Jill. The deer here behave in the same way as yours
When I lived in Kent the way to my home [a converted barn] was through a farm yard. Donkeys were often to be found wandering in front of my car or gazing soulfully at me through their barn doors as I passed slowly. Imagine my surprise one day to find a camel gazing a little less than soulfully at me as I drove past and an elephant’s trunk waving slowly from a stall further along. Next an ostrich darting out from somewhere and running elegantly ahead of me all the way to my home. The circus was in town and some of their attractions were wintering over.
Great fun, Pauline. Almost reads like a Bruce story
Except nobody died 🙂
🙂
Lovely memory! It’s like a childhood storybook come alive.
Apparently back in the day there was no public access ( according to the oracle) hence why we never got there. Another first for Mr Knight!
Thanks, Geoff – and Gordon
Such beautiful pictures… 🙂 Thanks for sharing…
Thanks, Maniparna
I’m glad that things are back to normal, Derrick. The obelisk is a nice monument and from what I’ve just read is full of history.
Thank you, Monica
😀
Animals are always more in-tune with Nature than we are, at least that’s what I grew up discovering.
Thanks, GP
Great photos – shall take a closer look next time I pass that monument
Thank you, Sol
Another wonderful post that roved from plants to animals to a fish bar to an ice cream parlor—whoops, parlour!—to history. What a way to start to the morning!
Many thanks, Laurie
Wonderful photographs Derrick. Enjoy seeing the cows just lounging about their days. We have a farm up the road with about 7 or 8 calves still wobbly on their legs. Best wishes for the exhibition.
Many thanks, Mary
So enjoy these photos, Derrick! Are you getting rain? 🙂
We are now getting rain, but have had a dryish period. Thanks, Amy
It is a fine obelisk, though we tend to use pubs as commemoration up here. 😉
🙂
Those sweet lazy bovine faces made me smile today. 🙂
Thanks, Ashley
“unflinching drowsy asses” – Derrick, I know what you said, but it still made me laugh! Those asses are adorable!
Thanks, Anna. That’s good
I must admit that the ice cream parlour caught my attention first of all. But I’m a sucker for a monument and enjoyed this obelisk very much. Also, what a perfect thing for Jackie to do with her gardening expertise: donate seedlings with instructions! I just love that!
(As you can see, I have surfaced once more…and I’m skimming through old posts to see what I’ve missed. Nice to see you two again 🙂 )
Nice to see you back, too, Crystal. 🙂
The story behind the Obelisk is quite interesting with its historical background, it would have been a quite prominent marker in its heyday.
It can still be seen clearly from the town which is some distance away. Thanks very much, Ian