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Jackie has planted one or two roses on the back drive. Given that they cost £1.49 each at Poundstretcher this one is inappropriately named ‘Dearest’ yet it has surprised us with its powerful, yet delicate, scent.
After a sniff round the garden, my Lady drove me on a circuitous route to Hatchet Pond and back.
Glimpsing a large reflective pool through trees at the bottom of Pilley Hill, I asked to be disembarked in order to investigate.
This was the larger building turned upside down;
and this another.
Cattle obligingly clambered down to the pool to drink.
They, too, were reflected.
Around the next bend ponies and their foals were keeping residents’ grass in order.
At Hatchet Pond we found that the cygnets are growing up,
but remain uncertain what to do with their legs.
There were many visitors to the water on this, the hottest day of the year so far.
Swans, gulls, and ducks, of course, live there.
Cattle drank and bathed.
I was not the only photographer.
Two brothers and their elegant little sister were also enjoying a paddle.
The father and boys played ducks and drakes, and were joined by mother and daughter with whom I had been chatting.
The delightful little girl announced that they were on holiday.
On the far side of the pond a donkey and her foal were snuggling among the shrubs,
and grazing ponies flanked an appropriate warning sign.
Incidentally I have often been asked about ownership of the forest’s free-roaming animals. Although they are free to roam they are owned by commoners with grazing rights. This explains the collars and tags usually seen around necks, or, in the case of cattle, pinned on their ears.
Much watering of plants was required this afternoon.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s delicious sausage casserole, creamy mashed potato and swede, and perfect runner beans. This was followed by Tesco’s sublime strawberry trifle which we would have eaten with Jessie and Guru on Saturday had I not somewhat redistributed its constituents by dropping it (with its lid on) on the floor. Jackie drank her Hoegaarden and Bavaria mix, while I drank Gilbert & Gaillard Les 3 Couronnes Côtes du Rhône 2014
Looks like a gorgeous day. The little girl is cute as can be.
It was, Lisa. She is lovely isn’t she? Thank you
I love pictures with water reflections. I don’t know why. Yours are beautiful. I particularly like the top upside down building, the cows, the bird in flight, and the little girl.
No worries about watering here. We’re in the midst of a heavy thunderstorm right now!
Thanks, Merril. I trust you needed the rain
We’re in the midst of a heat wave, so I suppose so–but it was really coming down!
Well, that’s one way to ensure the pudding doesn’t get shared! The reflection photos are lovely today Derrick and of course the little girl is just gorgeous – I hope you will share this photo with her mum and dad – they will love it I’m sure. I didn’t know that about the animals, I suppose I assumed they belonged to nobody, but now I think that through I can see that is a silly assumption 🙂
Thank you, Pauline. The parents have details of the blog. I do hope they like the pics
Hi, fellow silly! I thought exactly the same. 🙂
Sussed 🙂
I love the reflections shots, Derrick. It looks as thought the cows and the children have the right idea on such a hot day. The little girl on holiday is precious!
Isn’t she, Jill? Her family will be reading this. Thank you
All lovely creatures, great and small.
Thank you, Cynthia
Beautiful reflection shots. The children are adorable!
Thanks very much, Karen
Wonderful images, as always!
Many thanks, Ann
Lovely, Derrick.
Thank you, Cynthia
Great images, Derrick. What a cute little holiday girl! I’m sure the strawberry trifle was none the worse for having been dropped. 🙂
It was, it is ,I suppose, now more of an ‘Eaten Mess’
Many thanks, Sylvia. The trifle was even better ‘cos we got it all 🙂
?
Always a pleasure to view your beautiful photos. The reflections are stunning. I especially like the first one of the building, so clear and yet striped horizontally with the lines of grass. The portrait of the little girl is frame-able. The water, both behind and in front of her, looks like a painting.
Many thanks, Vicki. One of those fortunate clicks
The shots on the water are beautiful and I can see why the rose is called dearest 🙂
Many thanks, Geetha
Welcome Derrick:)
The reflections are absolutely lovely. Thank you for sharing this. That’s what it took today to get me back at it.
Pleased to have helped, Luanne. Thank you
Derrick, looks like a good time was had by all. Lovely photos.
Thanks a lot, Lonely
What a delightful place on a hot day. The image of the little girl in the striped dress in the water is particularly lovely.
Thank you, Vicki. As you can see, I too thought that about the little girl. I hope her parents like it
Ducks and drakes! We just call it skipping stones. I’m going to borrow your posh phrase.
Thanks, Yvonne. It’s nice to think I can raise your standards a bit 🙂
So many picture postcard scenes. We had a warm day too – 25ºC in the middle of winter!
Warmer than ours actually, Mary. Thanks
A really idyllic day, and lovely photos!
Thank you, John
What a lovely post and lovely photos. And how very helpful those horses were in keeping the grass short.
Many thanks, Val
Such a darling little girl! Wonderful reflective pictures.
Many thanks, Laurie
Derrick, the images in the reflective pool are amazing and beautiful! A lovely day to you my friend! 🙂
Thanks very much, Terry
La fille est un petite poupée … what blissful pictures and I adore that rose – £1.49 n’est pas plus cher!
Absolument. Merci beaucoup, Osyth
It amuses me to see you speaking French and using my name …. the Mair who married us struggled valiantly with his lack of long O’s and Th’s …. happy memories provoked 🙂
Love the picture of the building in the pond!
Thank you, Lynn
Such nice reflections in these pictures!
What lovely photographs. They remind me of Normandy.
I can see that, Micheline. Thanks
Lovely. The reflection photos are beautiful, almost Impressionist. Thank you.
Thank you, too, Oglach
The right place for a holiday, pictures are so lovely. As a watercolor artist I see in all reflection pictures a painting. Good artistic photos.
Many thanks, Inese
Great photos, showcasing a beautiful day.
x
Many thanks, MeRaw
You’re welcome.
Melanie x
Nice photos, Derrick – I also love the reflection shots – especially the one of the black cattle which appears to be a triple.
Many thanks, Jodie
The little girl and my son could be siblings in a parallel universe. So is the dropped trifle called a knight’s mess? ?
Thank you, Mek. Great trifle joke
You’re welcome ?
You get fine s hots of children, a specialty, I think! 🙂
Many thanks, Cynthia. I’ve been doing it all my life 🙂
True enough 🙂