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On another hot day with a glorious cloudless blue sky, Jackie and I spent the morning shopping for birthday presents for Shelly and for Poppy.
First stop was Otter Nurseries where we bought a couple of skimmias for Jackie’s sister,
and two interesting new bronzed rudbeckias for ourselves. There are plenty of buds on these latter plants for the Head Gardener to bring to perfection in a very short time.
We felt rather sad at the emptiness of such a large, splendidly stocked, outlet on such a day. This was a clear indication that the seasons are changing.
Sammy Miller’s Motorcycle Museum in Bashley Common Road was the next venue. This, we thought, was a suitable establishment at which to find girlie items for Shelly and for our granddaughter.
You may well be surprised at this, if you don’t know that the outbuildings of the museum contain a number of shops attractive to tourists. Whilst I wandered around outside, Jackie bought a pastel blue quartz necklace for her sister, and another item suitable for a one-year old.
There were many motorcycles parked in their dedicated area. This one is alongside one of the antique petrol pumps that line the walls.
Snacks and drinks were being enjoyed in the shopping precinct which was generously supplied with garden ornaments including this milk cart;
a farm cart;
and various items of farm machinery;
more of which was distributed among the animals on the borders of the site.
A paddle of ducks welcomes cool shade and a running stream
There are basking goats, two of which really stink like their cheese.
Chickens seem oblivious to this.
A vociferous rooster crows continuously.
Leaving his lady-love in the shade of his shed,
a plumage plumped turkey
made his sedate and purposeful way along the front of the pen.
Coming to a halt at a wire window he silently confronted the occupant.
‘Fight. Fight. Fight’, cried the rooster, summoning the chicken audience
as the confrontation continued.
A farmhand explained the situation. Earlier this morning, there had, indeed, been a cock-fight over the hen. That is why the unfortunate challenger was penned up. These creatures are capable of inflicting serious damage in their duels.
This evening we dined at The Raj in Old Milton. My main course was Chingri Bullet with giant prawns that must surely have been indulged with Jackie’s plant food. Jackie’s was chicken sag. We shared special fried rice, a paratha, and an onion bahji; and both drank Kingfisher.
It sounds like an interesting and enjoyable day.
We have wild turkeys around here. They seem much more sedate, but I image a fight between two male turkeys could get quite violent.
Many thanks, Merril. This turkey certainly was a slow and stately mover
Interesting “Turkish” encounter.
A motorbike enthusiast friend (I put up with him despite it) opined that the bike element of the musuem wasn’t up to much. Perhaps he needs to witness a few cockfights?
Thanks, Paul. That would be rather more exciting, I imagine.
Sounds like a nice and serene day. That outlet does indeed look deserted. I was surprised about the flowers. They looked like they had some illness in the close-ups.
Thanks, Geetha. I think the flowers were just a bit past it. There are loads of healthy buds on them.
Welcome. I garden but am not a connaisseur but you both are so will take your word for it 🙂
Looks like a great day, well-spent… 🙂
Thanks very much, Maniparna.
Yes, it is a bit depressing to visit the nursery towards the end of the season, especially when there are no longer bargains to be had. I can see the beginning of the autumn light in your photos, I think. We’ll all be glad to see an end to the heat, and then we’ll be complaining about the cold. Ah well. Thanks for sharing your lovely photos with us.
Many thanks, Oglach. Dull and heavy here today – moan 🙂
Derrick: Seems like you had a great trip — never mind the poor amorous, jealous rooster.
It’s dangerous for me to go to the nursery at any time of year, so I only go when I have no money (smile).
Thanks very much, Cynthia R. I don’t think Jackie ever comes away empty handed.
Looks like another great day–and having the run of the nursery was good for you, if not for them. Just like a human, that turkey went back to torment his rival, probably knowing he could gloat without consequences!
Quite so, Lisa. Many thanks.
I have a friend who believes that everything can be improved with a lick of paint but I think, sometimes, not. 🙂
Love the turkey stand-off and the cheering chooks. 🙂
Many thanks, Mary. I nearly commented that I preferred the farm implements rusting, and I almost used the phrase stand-off. Maybe you could help with my scripts. 🙂
Ah, great minds… 🙂
At my duck pond, I noticed a bunch of bigger ducks picking on this smaller duck. They were really being aggressive, so much so that the duck being attacked was bald on the back of its neck. So, I tried to shew the bigger ducks away, calling them bullies. Then a lady standing nearby tells me it’s mating season and the smaller duck is the female. All I can say is that it doesn’t look very pleasant. 🙂
It certainly doesn’t, Johnna. Thank you.
Even worse, there is a label for the phenomenon — which sounds like a tabloid/journalese coinage, but is actually scientific: [look away now, those of a sensitive disposition] “duck rape”. Occasionally the gang of males try to drown to female to force her to yield. Why this should be specific to ducks, and whether it’s confined to domesticated strains (even though they look like the wild morph), I don’t know. I’ve witnessed a similar instance myself.
You voyeur, you. 🙂
“Two of which really stink like their cheese.” LOL! I’m sure the heat and humidity was a contributing factor.
What a great outing…thanks for sharing, Derrick!
Thanks Very much, Jill
Modern goats’ cheese has been much cleaned up in that regard. Just imagine what Waitrose’s dairy aisle would smell like, if not [Oh, I forgot, you go to Lidl, don’t you???]
We do, Paul. But I would go to Waitrose if we had one.
I liked your ‘paddle of ducks’. Turkeys will be turkeys, just as boys will be boys, it seems.
Absolutely, Yvonne. Many thanks
I really like the first two flowers photos .
Many thanks, Sylvie
What a fun day! The photos of the rooster and the turkeys are great.
And the sign at the motorcycle parking area made me think of times when my stand did try to sink into the ground 🙂
Many thanks, Laurie. I’d thought that sign was a joke.
I couldn’t work out what that wording meant, given that a “bike-stand” also refers to a separate structure against/into which you wheel a bike to park it securely.
And I think it IS mildly humorous, Derrick, in that it’s presumably a wry way of saying “Please park your bike on the concrete, not on the soft surfaces also [I’m guessing] present here”. Oh, the British and their oblique speech!
Thanks, Paul
I like how matter of factly, you describe each part of this day. I enjoyed finding out about the little shops, as well as the beautiful pale blue quartz necklace and Poppy’s birthday gift purchases.
The turkey, hen, rooster and goat all had pretty plumage or coat to show farmer or farmer’s wife feed well. The “fight” sounded interesting, but the “jail” for imprisoned opponent, prevented any excitement.
Your meals are always a treat to vicariously enjoy, with huge prawns fed by Jackie’s gardening food. Ha! 😉
Many thanks for such close reading and comment, Robin
Very interesting ! Photos are amazing
Also plz do check ky blog I am a new starter
Thank you, sudershana. Will do
Yikes! Where was everyone? There seemed to be more goats, turkeys and chickens than customers that day. 🙂
True, Bun. Unless they were all looking at the bikes inside.
That must be it!
You know its serious when the turkey gets involved…
Thanks Mliae
The turkey is huge Derrick – he is awfully curious.
He sailed along like an airship. Many thanks, Mary
“These creatures are capable of inflicting serious damage in their duels.” We sometimes take care of our neighbors animals and he had a turkey awhile back. That turkey would whack us on occasion with his wings and let me tell you that they aren’t just a bunch of feathers!
Thanks very much, Weekly
Cock-fights are common in South Florida, even though officially they are forbidden. I would’ve loved to explore the motorcycle museum.
Thanks very much, Dolly.
You are very welcome, Derrick.