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Hoping for the cloud to clear we drove out to the north of the forest late this afternoon.
Between Sway and Brockenhurst a woman rode a New Forest pony. This can only be managed after skillful ‘backing’ or breaking in.
Her steed carried her past a gathering of diminutive Shetland or ‘Thelwell’ ponies, ignoring both me and the hair in their eyes as they foraged away.
Along Roger Penny Way we learned that pannage continues, as pigs scampered speedily along the verges
and across the road, snouts searching out mast.
Further along, a group of normal sized ponies grazed on a golf green, as a player prepared his putt. By the time Jackie had parked and I had walked back, a pair of brandished clubs had shooed off the interlopers who satisfied themselves with the roadside where they blended with the golden brown bracken.
We enjoyed dramatic skies across the moors. Blue skies peeped out from lighter clouds, and beams of sunlight pierced the darker ones.
At Godshill a farmer, carrying a bucket, led his little herd of cattle along the roadside;
a deep bellowing emanated from one straggler who broke into a surprisingly spritely sprint, lest it might miss out on whatever was in the container;
and a cow and calf had managed to find themselves on the wrong side of the road.
By the time we reached Abbots Well the landscape, and the cattle therein, basked in warm late sunlight;
the skies on our return home added gold and magenta hues to the darkening slate.
This evening we dined on salmon and smoked haddock fish pie studded with prawns; crunchy carrots and broccoli; and fried leeks and spinach. We both drank Louis de Camponac sauvignon blanc 2015.
Ahh! Those pigs… Autumn skies are really something in the South aren’t they?
They are great. Thanks a lot, Sol
It really is bucolic heaven in your part of the world isn’t it! <3
It certainly is, Pauline. Thank you
That’s quite a wild kingdom you have there. Lovely post. Great pictures. ?
Many thanks, Van
Such wonderful images – the shetlands are certainly vintage Thelwell but the pigs have it for me. I can think of no finer way to be held up than by pigs a-rootling. You have made me very happy ?
Thanks very much, Osyth. Just fished this comment out of the Spam
I seem to have been peppering peoples spam boxes this week …. I don’t know why it happens – another blogger told me that it is when one makes a lot of comments which I find frustrating as the whole point of blogging is to connect and I prefer to do a little more than hit like if I have something encouraging or worthwhile to say (or at least if I think I do!)
You are not the only one, Osyth
We only see animals (cattle) grazing on ‘long paddocks’ (verges) in the country, usually during a drought on their stations. How fortunate your pigs and ponies. Some of your views deserve a panoramic lens, I think.
“Oh, don’t, Mary” exclaimed Jackie, when she read this. I replied that she had a nerve, because that is exactly what she said yesterday. I think she’d forgotten because she was afraid of more clutter in the sitting room. Thanks a lot
🙂 🙂 🙂
Oh my–it is so lovely where you are. I enjoyed seeing all the wildlife–or semi-wildlife. 🙂
Many thanks, Merril. It is a National Park
I was happy to see that you and Jackie didn’t dine on pork tonight. 🙂 Great title…I cracked up! I guess you never know what you’ll encounter on the road. Beautiful shot of the moors, Derrick.
Many thanks, Jill. I’m glad the title got you crackling 🙂
You take great livestock photos. My wife was momentarily alarmed when I yelled “Oh no!” at seeing the pig crossing the road. 🙂
Many thanks, Oglach
Cows, sheep, ducks…can’t say I’ve ever seen pigs. Great post!
Many thanks, Donna
Wow so many animals! What interesting roadways! I love that last shot, gorgeous!
And I didn’t bother with the donkeys:) Thanks very much, Lynn
Wow Derrick! I love seeing this
I pine to visit the moors which featured so prominently in Victorian era writing, especially Wuthering Heights and you can just wander off on a day excursion and find moody skies over a moor. I’d also like to own a Shetland Pony but I don’t think my dog or my husband would like one in the house. Your New Forest animals posts are my favourites!
Many thanks, Susanne. Two years ago I could still stride across, up, and down, the moors. Now my knees are not up to it, so Jackie drives me around instead. that of course means I can cover more situations.
It’s like you stepped back in time to an earlier, simpler way of life.
It certainly is. That van driver just sat calmly waiting, with a huge convoy lining up behind him. Because of the traffic on my side of the road, I didn’t see the pig until almost too late. Thank you, Suzanne
Isn’t it great that you can ask the internet anything? 🙂
“Are pigs color blind? For a farm mammal, pigs have quite good vision — they are able to perceive a range of color wavelengths, but cannot see gradations of color such as ombre effects. Redecorating the pigsty in colors your pig can perceive may make her feel less anxious.”
A great addition to this post. Thank you, Johnna.
The meal sounds divine and the wine, mmmm!
Thanks, Leslie. Much better than chitlins
Much, much better!
Alright, I need to know. What is “mast” and why would that little piggy be looking for it?
Thanks for reading and asking, Yvonne. The answers are in this post which you must have missed in your travels: https://derrickjknight.com/2016/09/29/a-clip-round-the-ear/
You’re right, I had missed that post. You’re full of esoteric information. I think I should try out for The Chase, if I can remember all that stuff. ?
What makes you think I can remember it all? 🙂
Glad the sun came out. Pannage was a new word to me – good to know – will see if I can use it today!
🙂 Thanks, Geoff – ‘grex’ was new to me, too
Great to think that those pigs are a part of a thousand year history of Forest Law, though I admit I’d hate to have to look out for livestock whilst driving through what remains of Sherwood. I’ll enjoy my history vicariously and let Jackie dodge the pigs. 😉
🙂 Thanks a lot, Quercus
Forest law and Sherwood. Pigs, ponies, and cows roaming free. A magical place?
It sure is. Sherwood, however is in Nottinghamshire – famous for Robin Hood and The Major Oak : http://www.eyemead.com/majoroak.htm Sherwood Forest does not have roaming livestock
Thanks for clearing that up. I misunderstood.
I love how the animals wander so freely. In America, most are penned and caged in deplorable conditions.
Thanks very much, Rose. This is, of course, peculiar to The New Forest.
Your New Forest views are amazing, but it’s the livestock playground aspect that I love. Although I suspect I would have nightmares of dodging pigs on the road if I drove there regularly.
Many thanks, Brenda
We just lost one of our ducks on the road to a fast passing car. Her mate seems depressed now. Poor thing.
Sorry to learn that
I love this series, Derrick! Beautiful photos.
Thank you, Amy