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This morning I continued work on the rose garden, Jackie cut back plants in other beds, and
Aaron made considerable headway on weeding the gravel paths.
After lunch, Jackie and I drove into the forest. The terrain around Fritham seems to be the home of miniature ponies. I tend to call them all Shetlands, because I don’t know any better. As we drove past a car park we noticed one vehicle surrounded by these little creatures. Naturally we turned round to investigate.
Brian, who is concerned that I don’t feed carrots to the ponies, should be very pleased that a little girl was doing just that.
When the time came for our little friend to wave goodbye
the fickle animals moved on to see what they could scrounge from the next vehicle.
A few larger ponies did mingle with the smaller ones,
one of which had me wondering whether there was such a thing as a Dalmatian pony. Later research revealed that it is probably a miniature British spotted pony,
which, when a young woman on the other side of the car park opened her car boot to change her footwear, trotted over and stood patiently, silently, behind her.
Perhaps she felt its breath, for, with a joyful exclamation, she turned and patted it, just as she was in the process of prising off a footwear boot.
Our return home was via Bramshaw, where black-faced sheep spilled into the road.
Upon investigation I discovered that the Newbridge Telephone Kiosk is now a repository for local social history. Among the photographs inside is one of the phone box when it was in use as such, with information about the iconic design and its creator;
Images of St Mary’s Church and an early wedding can be seen through a broken window;
two more weddings, seen here through murky glass, are also remembered.
This evening we dined on tasty pork chops with apple sauce, flavoursome sage and onion stuffing; creamy swede and potato mash; crisp carrots, broccoli and green beans; and piquant cauliflower cheese. I finished the merlot, and Jackie abstained.
The little ponies are gorgeous creatures – I call them collectively Shetland’ Ponies too – are we wrong to do so? I also like to see the way the old phone boxes are being put to use, though it would be good if vandals were deterred from vandalising them!
Thanks a lot, Pauline. I’m not sure about all thee different little ponies. Rather hoping someone will clarify
And of course you can go to my blog for an explanation where GG Scott got his inspiration from for the iconic phone box… oops, was that ambush advertising? Soz Derrick.
All’s fair …… 🙂 Thanks, Geoff. Where’s the link?
https://geofflepard.com/2016/12/04/thomas-hardy-and-why-he-was-miserable-walking/ here you go…
Thanks a lot, Geoff. How did I miss such an excellent post?
You may have a life?
Pork chops! I salivate at the thought and remembrance of them in Canada. In Australia, the pork is not as I think it should be. I don’t know why.
Those darn ponies are so cute, and the photo of the lass caught in half boot removal is a winner!
Very many thanks, Yvonne. I was some distance from her when I clicked on that – only saw what she was doing when I enlarged the image.
Much to my surprise, I saw a completely spotted horse in the Camargue many years ago. Very spectacular!
Thanks a lot, John. I’ve never seen one before, large or small
I’d be quite surprised too if a dalmatian pony snuck up behind me. 🙂 Looks like she took it in her stride. I suppose these things are to be expected in Pony-land. 😀
Thanks, Widders. I think she must have seen it all before
Good for Aaron. That’s quite a thankless task he has. My MiL’s gardener doesn’t pull weeds. He says that he’s a horticulturist, so that’s not his job. 😆 Love those sweet ponies. I would also stop mid boot removal to pat one.
Thanks very much, Sylvia. Aaron will do anything we ask. He also pruned a couple of fruit trees today.
I am jealous that your have Jackie, Head Gardener, Driver and Cook AND you have Aaron.
Very many thanks, Mary
So sweet! Love the ponies
Thanks very much, Lynn
most welcome
Thank you for pony smiles and phonebox nostalgia Derrick 💛
Many thanks, Val
So so cute. I remember one was featured in a advert for a mobile and it was so cute.
They are certainly. Thanks. Alex
You live in a world full of ponies ! And I’m glad to see some of those red phone booths still out there.
Thanks very much, Van
I’ve always loved sheep. They’re such a gentle animal. Dinner sounds yummy, Derrick!
Many thanks, Jill
Those ponies are so precious! And I love the sheep. I remember my sons raising lambs for our county fair. Great days! Dinner must have been delicious.
Thanks very much, Elizabeth. Perhaps it’s as well we didn’t have lamb 🙂
LOL
Those ponies are a delight. They make me smile.
What a great idea for the phone box. Any that might still exist around here are covered in graffiti and destroyed.
Thanks a lot, Merril. That happens to some of ours, too
The ponies are very cute. But I’m curious what the owners do with them. Animals can be expensive to buy and raise. Sheep can be sheered; regular sized horses can be ridden. Are the ponies kept for their cuteness and nothing more?
I think that is right, Nicki. The same goes for all the ponies which roam the forest, although we do know one person who trains and rides the bigger ones which she keeps in a field. Thank you.
You are probably too young to remember the popular TV programme “Mister Ed”. The opening song went:
“A horse is a horse, of course, of course,
Unless of course the name of the horse is the famous Mister Ed”.
That should clarify for you the different types of horses. I hope that helps!
Many thanks, Bruce. I am too young, so there’s Muffin I can say to that
And to think – I thought the whole world watched Mister Ed in the ’60s!
🙂
Those pones are absolutely gorgeous and I’d love to give them a hug, wonder if they like hugs? They seem very friendly and obviously appreciate a carrot or two from nice caring people. who seem to be very few and far between.
‘Two more weddings’, but no funeral? Why is that?
Had the pork chops in the mustard marinade, used brown sugar ,not honey as per the War Offices instructions, She thoroughly enjoyed them except for the almonds, did not like the almonds at all.Served with steamed broccoli, carrots, mashed potatoes & pumpkin.
I think I’d have preferred honey but I do as I’m told! 🙁
Many thanks, Brian. The ponies don’t seem to mind a pat or two. Sorry about my meanness 🙂 Now you come to mention it, people don’t take photographs at funerals, although: https://derrickjknight.com/2012/05/22/the-scent-of-a-squirrel/ I’m pleased about the chops
Well it wasn’t exactly a funeral was it? I shall have the pork chops on the menu again, but I might do it not say what I’m doing and try honey. I shall probably be in need of Quercus’s services after! XD
That spotted pony was cute, but so were the sheep, all fat and grazing. Here the closest thing we have to spotted ponies are pintos and appaloosas. The pintos are really ponies, but I think the appaloosas are horses.
Thanks a lot, Lisa. Jackie mentioned pintos – I think we saw them as Indian ponies in the old Westerns
Cute little furry chubbers the tiny ponies. Reminiscent of Thelwell who would have loved the moment with the show removing girl 😊
Thanks very much, Osyth. Thelwell has received the occasional mention in this blog 🙂
As he rightly should. He was the greatest of influences on this 6-10 year old 🙂
There’s a pic in this one that should bring back memories: https://derrickjknight.com/2013/12/01/showstopper/
Thank you that was just the ticket … I’ve left a comment on the piece itself 🙂
That spotted pony was a real find.
Many thank, Susan. Never seen one before.
I am still envious of all the animals you see wandering around your countryside. That telephone kiosk is a terrific idea – over here it would be covered in graffiti or destroyed in no time. It makes me feel good to know that somewhere on this planet our history and a peaceful life are still in style!!
Many thanks, GP. Sorry about your telephone boxes
How generous of you to let us follow you down country roads. Micheline
Your company much appreciated, Micheline. Thank you.
My favorite was the spotted horse, cute as a button. Your question about miniature horses, of course, aroused my curiosity. Wikipedia to the rescue with a very informative article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miniature_horse
Thanks a lot, Eliza. I’ll try to get my ahead around that.
Thanks for such a fun and uplifting post, Derrick. Lifting spirits with ponies, a special spotted (Dalmatian) pony and those healthy black faced sheep look sweet. They make me think of Easter lambs and bunnies. 🙂
Many thanks, Robin
Of course! 🙂
Visiting from Notes from the Hinterland. 🙂 Love the ponies. Back in the 1990’s we had two when we lived in Kansas. They were very friendly, more like big dogs, and loved to follow me around when I was doing chores.
Thanks very much, Judy