Blue Ice Cream

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Forget-me-nots

Forget-me-nots are now blooming throughout the garden, especially, like these, springing up through the paths.

Our resident robin began the day in the shrubbery before taking up his station and serenading us in the weeping birch.

We spent a sunny morning that began quite chilly, but managed to reach temperatures in double figures, driving around the forest.

The first stop was

Whitten Pond sign

Given the restrictions applied to activities there I can only assume that the numerous muddy, rutted, tracks leading to it had been made by thirsty ponies.

Lying off Pound Lane on the way to Ringwood, this pond, with its choppy wavelets slapping and bubbling against the banks, looked attractive enough,

although the surrounding moorland was pretty wet.

Cyclists were out in their numbers speeding across the moorland roads and the winding lanes. Some, in large groups, switched from single file to two and three abreast in what seemed a rather aggressive attempt to hold drivers back. At one point the third in a trio headed straight for Jackie who, not speeding anyway, had already slowed down.

I wondered whether the man in the red jacket had noticed the ponies to his left.

This spot is not far from Burley at which we arrived before most shops had opened. The village’s pair of geese patrolled the rather empty car park.

Magpie Antiques

10 a.m. is the usual opening time. Magpie Antiques already welcomed visitors,

Jackie buying fudge

as had Burley Fudge which, after sampling the wares, Jackie patronised.

Ice cream tubs

In the forecourt of the antiques shop stands an ice cream stall. This photograph is for Maximus Octavian who likes blue ice cream.

Honey Lane

Honey Lane in Burley Street is as enticing as ever.

Horses in the corner field to the right of the entrance still wear their winter rugs.

At Bramshaw donkeys shared the task of cropping the grass verges with ponies of differing sizes.

Magnolia

Magnolias are blooming throughout the villages. This one near these animals is rather splendid.

We took a diversion around the bottleneck that is Lyndhurst during the holiday seasons.

Along Bolderwood Road I debarked and wandered among the trees, crunching on the dry leaves underfoot, admiring the long shadows, and examining the fallen trees and crumbling stumps.

This evening we dined on Jackie’s delicious lamb jalfrezi, special fried rice and vegetable samosas; followed by apple pie and custard. Jackie drank Hoegaarden and I finished the Beaujolais.

70 comments

  1. Were you joking when you said that the pond was attractive? It’s hard to read someone’s tone.

    We have cyclist on our footpaths all the time so though I do not drive I find them menacing. Their excuse? There’s too much traffic on the road!

  2. There seems to be some kind of global movement among cyclists to impede cars. I can’t imagine why, it’s a bit like Don Quixote tilting at windmills – there will only ever be one victor!
    The blue ice cream alarmed me – it’s a beautiful colour – but I would not put that chemically induced substance into my body!

  3. Honey Lane is very enticing, Derrick. I’ve had one too many close calls with bicyclists riding on narrow, two lane roads in the dark without any reflectors. I suppose they’re ready to meet their maker. Pretty blue, but I bet that ice cream would permanently stain your tongue.

  4. Having lived with geese for three years I can confirm there is nothing they like better than traffic control. Cyclists have absolutely nothing on them.

  5. Such splendid photos, Derrick. I liked the way you captured the cyclist in the foreground and the pony in the background. That magnolia is beautiful, and I liked the trees along Bolderwood Road, too. Some of them look quite old. Honeyland is enticing–as are the treats in the shops!

  6. Cyclists seem the same the world over; I find them the most selfish, arrogant, of road users. I do believe that they should pay for a registration system, and third party insurance; they are the cause of many accidents, I’m convinced, but they get off Scot free, and are never held responsible for any accident, or injury, which they cause.
    Over a period of 25 years, I drove the streets of Sydney to the tune of 2,000,000+ km, thats right over 2 million kilometres, and it that time the only cause for concern that I had, was from the lack of care and responsibility from cyclists.
    I much prefer pictures of the ponies, or the geese, than the cyclists, so if you will keep that in mind, I’d be most grateful.

  7. I simply love your strolls and Jackie and your traveling days. With the pictures, we get to walk and ride along with you. You know I adore the ponies! I sure hope Max enjoys the blue ice cream. [what flavor is that – blueberry?]

  8. Forget-me-nots! My favourite-
    It still astounds me how early your spring it. It is spring here, but no green yet. Just lots of rain to get the grass green soon.
    There’s nothing like a walk past magnolia’s, thanks as always for sharing your photos.

  9. I run into large groups of cyclists during the weekend, so I rather take a long walk in various trails.
    Lovely Robin captures. 🙂

  10. Much as I am smitten with the robin and overjoyed with the geese (ongoing conversation with spouse as to whether I can have some guard-geese …. he, reluctant, me, enthusiastic) the fudge has it for me … I am suddenly weak with longing for REAL fudge

  11. That antiques shop just becomes me inside… This time I’m a bit partial to the ice cream shot! I don’t eat it as lactose and I are not on happy terms, but I still can admire its temptation-worthy appearance.

    (Are you near New Forest? I have been strolling about many areas of UK lately via watching “Escape to the Country” real estate series as I enjoy several house viewing/hunting shows for relaxation. Such pretty country, villages and houses!)

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