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This morning Jackie drove us around the east of the forest.
At East End we passed some ponies chomping by the roadside.
It was a narrow lane, so Jackie drove on and parked in a passing spot for me to walk back to photograph the scene.
This is a small farming area with fields enclosed by hedgerows.
Back up the hill and round the bend, I observed a novel method of clearing ponies from the road.
What this driver did was to give the rear end of the white pony a gentle nudge with the vehicle’s nose and keep creeping forward.
In the field alongside stood, in awe, a little foal with a thought bubble above its head bearing the caption ‘Will I be like you when I grow up?’ I am not sure, however, that this was not a Falabella (named after its Argentine breeder, Julio) such as we encountered at St Leonard’s, further down the road.
This adult horse, lost in a group of larger ponies, rarely exceeds 75 cm. in height.
Two pairs in this group were indulging in heavy petting,
which extended to love bites,
which was all rather difficult for the unfortunate, mournful-looking, gooseberry.
We visited the Lavender Farm at Plaitford where we enjoyed coffee and plants along with many other visitors.
Even before entering we could see that lupins and foxgloves were in abundance.
Many more plants at their peak were also on sale;
and, of course, numerous types of lavender,
also growing in the gardens. I am not sure which bird is represented by the avian topiary in the centre distance of this shot,
but this is surely an elegant swan.
Since our last visit a blue painted plough has been added to the interesting artefacts enhancing the beds.
This evening we dined at Dynasty in Brockenhurst. My choice of main meal was Ayre (fish) jalfrezi with special fried rice. We shared onion bahji, tarka dhal, and egg paratha. Jackie and I drank Kingfisher, and Sheila drank sparkling water.
Whatever it was, that little horse was certainly very cute!
Thanks, John
So, the car’s horn doesn’t do the trick? Do you think blasting heavy metal music would get the horses to move? Have you thought about throwing apples into the field so they’ll follow them? Or am I thinking about dogs? 🙂
They only have their minds on grass and hedges. Nothing else shifts them. And they own the road.
Sounds like you’ve given up. Are you trying to tell me that those horses are smarter than you? Ya’ll just have to find the right incentive… Wait, how about chocolate? 😀
Now there’s a thought 🙂
Oh wow, the clarity on the last several shots is amazing, Derrick. I feel as though I’m in the garden.
As for those little ponies…I want one! I laughed at the one photo…the white horse looks like he’s up on two legs.
Many thanks, Jill, for the comment and for the appreciation
This post made me laugh and smile. How wonderful that pictures and writing can do this!
It is wonderful, Laurie. Thank you.
Thanks for the two lovely tours of ponies and garden!
Thank you, Lisa
I loved the garden shots but enjoyed the sweet little ponies behind the fence most of all, Derrick. I think the gentle nudge on the horse is fine as long as very slowly moving. I would be worried about my foot accidentally hitting a horse! I cried once when a bird got run over in the winter since it thought the black top was cozy and warm, I drove slowly but it stayed there sitting. I tried to swerve around it slowly and it ran into my car front. . . Thanks for the lovely tours, Derrick!
Many thanks for your usual full response, Robin.
I love the pictures of the ponies so special!
Thank you, Lynn
Such gorgeous and cool pictures! Something I would never get to see so a big treat!
Such a delightful post, Derrick. The ponies are so cute. I love that little one, and the two who were nuzzling each other. So many “awwww” moments here. The lavender garden is beautiful. Does it smell wonderful, too? I bird topiary looks a bit like Big Bird to me. 🙂
Many thanks, Merril. The Lavender Garden does have some pleasant scents, but not as many as one might expect
Oh, that’s too bad.
This looks like a lovely trip you all had Derrick! The photos are gorgeous! I wish it stayed that green here in the summer. Everything is already drying out to brown here where we get little to no rain now.
The horses and ponies are so beautiful! I love the little foal. You are definitely blessed to live where you do!
We are, Patsy. Thanks you
Looks like a lovely day…beautiful sights of many kinds
Thank you, walksandrambles
That was pleasant! Such attractive creatures–it is horse country, apparently, like it is in various parts of our country. Oregon has vast ranches–as do other western states. I am not much of a rider, haven’t been for decades, but I enjoy the beasts. (I watch a Canadian series, “Heartland”, largely so I can ogle the beautiful horses with fine riders riding them!) Lavender has grown on me as i have gotten older. Pretty pictures.
Thank you very much, Cynthia
That poor gooseberry! It brought back memories …
Thank you, Yvonne. I’m pleased you got it
Such beautiful photographs. Loved the horses and the lavender farm
Thank you very much Geetha
Welcome Derrick. I love your posts. They are always rejuvenating and beautiful
How lucky you are to have Jackie drive you around, so you can capture all the glorious sights with your camera! Heavy petting horses!! My, that’s very sweet and something I haven’t seen as I’m a city girl. I enjoy your jaunts through the countryside.
Many thanks, Rose. Yes, I am very lucky
Yes, we’re all fortunate that Jackie is good enough (and so patient!) to stop and wait for you every time you spot something interesting to photograph 🙂 I think the thought bubble said, ‘how did you get over that fence?’
Good alternative thought bubble, Mary. Thanks.
To me, this is paradise!Love the pics, love the animals, love the countryside. You understand a person’s character through his posts and yours is a kind and benevolent one. Be blessed my friend for bringing joy and good cheer to your readers.
Very many thanks, Sofia
My brother’s neighbour breeds miniature ponies and I would be pretty confident in saying you are correct about that little fellow being a Falabella.
Many thanks, John
Reminds me of our Corralla ponies on the Outer Banks in nearby North Carolina. 😀
Thanks, Joanne
You are ahead of us with many flowers, but we also are in full lupine and oriental poppy season. I love the shot of the ponies grazing on the hedgerows with their rear hooves plonked down right on the road.
Thank you very much, Brenda
How nice to see the horses and ponies. The little horse reminds me of Shetland ponies.
Thanks Val. This little creature is even smaller than the Shetlands, of which we do see a few
Our traffic jams usually consist of sheep and goats – I would be afraid to give a nudge to a horse 🙂 That little pony is adorable, and all the plants, and curious topiaries are so beautiful.
Thanks very much, Inese