A Cock-Fight

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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,

Rudbeckia 1Rudbeckia 2

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.

Otter Nurseries 1Otter Nurseries 2

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.

Motorcycle Park and petrol pump

There were many motorcycles parked in their dedicated area. This one is alongside one of the antique petrol pumps that line the walls.

Milk cart and urn

Snacks and drinks were being enjoyed in the shopping precinct which was generously supplied with garden ornaments including this milk cart;

Farm cart

a farm cart;

Farm machinery 2

and various items of farm machinery;

Farm machinery 1

more of which was distributed among the animals on the borders of the site.

Duck

A paddle of ducks welcomes cool shade and a running stream

Goat

Goats

There are basking goats, two of which really stink like their cheese.

Goats and chicken

Chickens seem oblivious to this.

Rooster

A vociferous rooster crows continuously.

Turkey 1

Leaving his lady-love in the shade of his shed,

Turkey 2

a plumage plumped turkey

Turkey 3

made his sedate and purposeful way along the front of the pen.

Turkeys 1

Coming to a halt at a wire window he silently confronted the occupant.

Rooster, chicken and turkey

‘Fight. Fight. Fight’, cried the rooster, summoning the chicken audience

Turkeys 2Turkeys 3

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.

50 comments

  1. 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.

  2. 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?

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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).

  6. 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!

  7. 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. 🙂

    1. 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. 🙂

  8. 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. 🙂

    1. 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.

  9. “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!

      1. 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???]

  10. 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 🙂

    1. 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!

  11. 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! 😉

  12. “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!

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