CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE. THOSE IN GROUPS ACCESS GALLERIES THAT CAN BE VIEWED FULL SIZE WHEN SCROLLING DOWN THE PAGE AND CLICKING THE RELEVANT BOX.
This morning I sat in the dentist’s waiting room whilst Jackie kept an appointment.
During this time I finished reading Bruce Goodman’s ‘Bits of a Boy’. Given the amazing number of spurious dental appointments young Bruce wangled, this was probably quite appropriate. This autobiographical work must have been hidden away for at least half a century. No-one could possibly take us right into the mind of a boy at various stages of life unless he was that boy – then. Read it. On line. Or downloaded. It is a must for entertainment, for history, and for atmosphere. Oh, the memories it stirred in me.
After lunch Jackie drove us to Lepe and back.
Attracted by a group of tiny ponies we stopped at Norley Wood where Jackie waited in the car for me to photograph the creatures.
Other cameras and mobile phones came into play. One woman took her photos through an open car window;
another group walked up to, and petted the animals.
They fully understood why I named this windswept pony Donald.
I have mentioned before that gorse in the forest is regularly thinned out by controlled burning. For this reason an unusually great number of larger ponies grazed on the left hand side of the road outside Beaulieu.
A few, more reluctant, after the land had cooled, to leave their familiar territory had returned to the other side, sometimes, ghostlike, reaching up into the remaining charred bushes, sometimes foraging on the grass.
There are still a large number of waterlogged trees in pools around the forest, offering, like these near Exbury, many arboreal reflections.
How did these tyres come to be in the water?
As usual, mallards, had occupied another recent pool.
So windy was it at Lepe that the waves were extremely choppy.
One yacht made its way without sail;
others, against the backdrop of the Isle of Wight, leaned at an impressive angle;
and a sailboarder skimmed across from the island and back in the blink of an eye.
Gorse bushes and rugged trees on the clifftop bent with the wind;
and daffodils lit the bank above the Watch House.
This evening we dined at Daniel’s Fish and Chips restaurant in Highcliffe. Jackie added onion rings to her cod and chips. My supplements were mushy peas and a roll and butter. I drank tea, and Jackie didn’t.
You captured the windy choppy day so well Derrick. Hope it was a good visit to the dentist!
Thanks a lot, Val. It was a good visit 🙂
The reflections are beautiful.
x
Thank you, Melanie
What a insult to the pony to name it Donald.
I almost expected to see a horn coming out of the grey pony that emerged from the bare branches; it looks magical.
Looks like a good day for photographs.
I was going to say that re the naming of the donkey. I refuse to use the name!
think
?
Typo in the previous comment – thin
Thanks, Mary. The pony won’t know.
I thought that grey looked magical too – that’s why I walked back to the scene. It was good for photos. Today it’s raining hard.
The rain is still with us as well. Sigh
I think you’ve had it worse
What a gorgeous day you had, Derrick. This post has way too many spectacular photos to pick just one. I love the reflections, Jackie with the pony and especially the gorse bushes and rugged trees on the clifftop bent with the wind. Thanks for taking the time to brighten our day!
Thanks a lot, Jill. Actually the woman with the pony was a visitor to the area – South African, I think.
Thank you so much for the kind praise for my childhood autobiography. I am so excited! I’m glad it stirred some memories for you – and I’m even gladder that you liked it. Thanks a million, Derrick.
My pleasure, Bruce. Our education was pretty similar – as you know – but I walked to and from Wimbledon College.
OMG! After a quick google I see even the brick buildings don’t look too dissimilar! Quick! Tell Jackie to plant some more flowers!!!
🙂 In my time the buildings were all Victorian
https://derrickjknight.com/2016/01/29/wimbledon-college-as-i-knew-it/
I’ve got as far as downloading it Bruce. Looks interesting and I look forward to reading it. Thanks to Derrick for bringing it to our attention.:-)
Thanks Gwendoline. I hope you enjoy it! It’s not overly long!
A “well-lived” life succinctly told?
LOL!
I’ve just taken a close look at the cover photo. The young woman – presumably your sister (I haven’t started reading yet) is perfectly turned out and presented in her Sunday best, but the camera has captured Mum(?) about to correct something about her (note the position of “mum’s” right hand), while meanwhile both boys have scrapes on their left knees and one does not even have his socks pulled up correctly. Typical! (eye roll.) 🙂
Fortunately the boy with the incorrectly pulled up socks is myself. We had just been to church (presumably Dad took the photo) and were stopping at a river to have a picnic lunch on the way home!
Of course it was you, my friend 🙂
So accurate, Gwen
The little auburn pony = WANT
🙂 Many thanks, Candice
Some really fantastic shots Derrick – I could feel the wind and sea breeze for sure. Awesome. Love the horses ~
Many thanks, Mary.
We here in the states have an ass named Donald, as well.
Forgive me. Sometimes I just have to let loose.
Many thanks, Jodie. Feel free. I worry about the voters and the system that put him there.
I keep looking around me, like, “Who ARE you people???”
🙁
The Donald…perfect. Love the ponies, but my favorite is that last pic of the watch house…great composition there, Derrick.
Thanks a lot, Van. I had trouble with the sun in that picture – had several attempts.
I love the review you gave Bruce’s book – it was such a wonderful read wasn’t it. I don’t know why it hasn’t been picked up by a publishing house! I didn’t know the ponies would nibble on the burnt remains – maybe they like the taste of barbecued gorse?
Thanks very much, Pauline. As one would expect from Bruce, plus astoundingly clear memories. I think the pony inside was reaching up for smoked gorse. 🙂
Such wonderful captures.
Thanks a lot, Arlene
I don’t believe I’ve seen the same pony twice; it’s quite wonderful that they are allowed to roam free, and unmolested.
I wonder if, did perhaps, that yacht making its way sail have a motor running?
I thin the boat must have had a motor running – it was moving along OK. Thanks a lot, Brian.
Love, love–the sailing vessels and the Watch House are my fave pictures. Quite a lovely assortment of ponies and horses, as well.
Many thanks, Cynthia
It’s been so long since I read a good book! Great photos here Derrick. Gorgeous looking ponies, not sure about the name. ?
🙂 Thank you, Miriam. It’s an easy, entertaining, read.
Derrick, The photograph, “Gorse bushes and rugged trees on the clifftop bent with the wind;” should be in a novel or a movie, it is so dramatic. Great pictures, as usual, I enjoy them so much.
Ginene
Thanks very much, Ginene. I’m pleased
Amazing snaps.
Thanks you, Inspired
Perhaps the tyres are for children to stand on or play with?
Possibly, John. They are often hung from trees for that purpose. Thanks
So many wonderful photos here, Derrick, I can’t decide which one I like best. The ponies are always delightful, but then the trees and the wind and the water–wow!
Your line that you drank tea and Jackie didn’t made me chuckle. 🙂
Many thanks, Merril
Love the reflections of the trees – and I can see the resemblance with Donald – the pony had a hint of intelligence that prevented total confusion though!
Many thanks, Geoff 🙂
That little pony you dubbed “Donald”…I see the resemblance, but the pony is much, much cuter.
The woman petting the other pony said it was ‘much nicer’. Thanks, Laurie
Derrick.. you do take us on a trip with your photos and tales…
Really a refreshing walk along Enjoying the scenery…
Thank
You..
Really enjoyed
Very many thanks, Nita
Everytime Derrick
Amazing views and I can see how the wind is blowing within you captures of manes, hair, and choppy waters with sails billowing.. Beautiful all of them..
Enjoy your week my friend..
Very many thanks, Sue. You too.
🙂 <3 Take care Derrick.. <3 Hugs
Ponies serenaded by the wind, framed by Derrick for the readers and posterity. I loved the brooding reflections.
Many thanks, Uma
That was a delicious smorgasbord or photos.
Many thanks, Susanne. Fascinating metaphor
I’m so glad you enjoyed Bruce Almighty’s offering. I did, also.
That’s a mighty dramatic photo of the yacht not under sail.
You must have a lot of photos on your computer. How do you organise them so you can find one? And, do you have them securely backed up?
I use an iMac – they go in Photos. I just search the subject and I get everything with that title, They are backed up on the cloud, and if they have featured in WordPress they are in there, too. Thanks, Yvonne.
That’s all very well, Derrick, but you haven’t eaten for two days – I’m worried!!
It is inexcusable. A couple of times I’ve forgotten to put it on and woken up thinking about it and adding . Just about to add today’s, before posting. 🙂
It challenging to take photos on a windy day, especially shooting flowers.
These are great captures!
Very many thanks, Amy. Much appreciated.
Wonderful pictures derrick!
Thanks very much, Lynn.
Sweet ponies! Loved the tree reflections – nice shots, Derrick. The sea wind surely looked brisk – that sailboarder must have very strong arms!
Very many thanks, Eliza.
Donald has small hooves. 😀 Mind you, a very good big league temperament and never comments on social media. 😉
Great sequence.
Many thanks, Joseph
Great reflections, and great pony (despite the hair style). 🙂
🙂 Thanks a lot, Quercus, my friend
😉
Donald is the perfect name for that pony. He must get his hair from the same place!
I can’t wait until I can get out and explore my region. Your picture remind me there’s incredible beauty everywhere.
There is, Elizabeth. Many thanks
Love the backlit daffodils in the last shot.
Thanks a lot, Brenda. The best of a number taken against the sun.
the Donald, good one, crackin’ me up 🙂
Thanks a lot, Kim
The water photographs and sweet, chubby ponies were wonderful pictures to cheer anyone’s day up. The stunning shots of the trees reflections were much appreciated by me. 🙂
Very many thanks, Robin
Great post and the pictures were fantastic. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks a lot, Irwin