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This morning I tidied up after some of Jackie’s cutting back yesterday, and was then rewarded by delicious scents from the roses as I dead-headed them.
Elizabeth came to lunch and dinner. This afternoon the three of us drove out to Hyde where we enjoyed refreshments in the café, and the ladies bought plants from the farm shop.
We drove on for a while, crossing the ford at Frogham. The stream under the road was as shallow as we have ever seen it.
The rusting tractor parts up on the bank were in no danger of inundation,
and a pony mare and foal set off to find refreshment elsewhere.
On Roger Penny Way, bringing the traffic to a halt, another pony led her offspring across the road.
As she bent down to chomp the grass a cry of ‘Wait of me, Mum’ rent the air and the little foal began frantically running after its oblivious parent. I have never seen a foal run before.
Further on, having similarly crossed the road, another little pony took refuge under its mother, producing a rather deceptive image.
Before returning home we took a diversion to Bank, near Lyndhurst, where Elizabeth and I took some photographs.
My sister and Rob had lived here when they were young adults, and she took us on a nostalgic wander along the lanes
and into the forest with its somewhat depleted stream.
This evening Jackie produced an excellent meal of poached haddock; swede, parsnip, and potato mash; piquant cauliflower cheese, carrots, and runner beans. Jackie and I both drank Bergerac blanc sec 2016, and Elizabeth chose Louis de Camponac cabernet sauvignon 2016.
P.S. See wfdec’s comment below. He has identified the ‘tractor parts’ as a timber jinker. Many thanks to John.
The deception is on your part: we saw the picture you wanted us to see! 🙂
Lol _ that made me laugh.
Clever, Mary. Many thanks
That mother is a stallion … oops, no. 🙂
Hyde is where the ladies go seek, and does wild thyme blow at Bank?
The stream is certainly much lower than I remember.
Nice comment, Leslie. Thanks a lot. (The cafe is called ‘The Hyde Out’)
Heh, heh, heh … I too, see what you did there! 😀
Many thanks, Widders
The lanes are lovely, Derrick. A perfect place to wander.
Thanks very much, Jill
Lovely photos, as always, Derrick. I laughed at the deceptive image.
Me too!
🙂
Many thanks, Merril
The wander through Bank is beautiful! I was at first quite surprised to see Elizabeth’s feet clad just in sandals – then I remembered that not everyone has to wear gumboots and woolly socks on their walks 🙂
Thanks very much, Pauline
Derrick, that photo of the ‘tractor parts’ is actually a ‘timber jinker’ A huge log is chained up in the hooped part and then the log is dragged out of the forest. There could be a second on behind it. You should start a campaign to have it rescued and put in a museum. I imagine it is right on the edge of what was once a huge commercial forest. At least I think it is from your photo.
Very many thanks, John. Very useful identification. I’m adding a PS to the post
Wow – interesting info.
I second wfdec; there was some logging going on at some point not too long ago–or the forest service left it there. Tires are quite bald…
Thanks a lot, Lisa. It is in the forest, of course.
The ponies are so sweet and charming in your photographs, Derrick. You catch them clear and in such interesting positions, too. 😉
The dwindling stream and stream under the road had excellent reflections.
I’m going to check out missed posts since I will be out of town for 3 days, visiting my Mom with my grandson, Micah. He’ll be keeping me company on the two hour drive up there, as well as always being even spirited and patient with her.
I hope the trip goes well, Robin. Many thanks.
Love the streams – and that second tractor shot is so cool. And I always love a pony shot – especially with bawdy commentary.
Me, Bawdy? Many thanks, Jodie
: ) – Charmingly so.
🙂
The ponies render an idyllic aura to the neighbourhood.
They do, Uma. Thanks a lot.
That foal! So beautiful and sweet! Drivers on those roads must be used to the animals crossing—they seem to drive with extreme caution!
Most do, Diane. But holidaymakers are not so used to it, and a few just go along at more than the 40 mph speed limit, which is too fast anyway if a pony just steps out. There is a local practice of flashing your lights on bendy roads warning that there is either a speed trap or ponies on the the road up ahead.
Clever shot of pony with mum/dad?
🙂 Thanks, Peggy
I wish I could wander through those lanes and hold that camera!It is so fascinating to see your shots especially paired with such lovely commentary! Your pictures are pure poetry and your words like treacle!Thank you for sharing
Very many thanks, Sofia
At first I thought it was a selfie…
🙂 Thanks, Bruce
Beautiful captures, Derrick 🙂
xo <3
Many thanks, Mo X
You’re always welcome, Derrick. You know that 🙂
I do X
xo <3
I wouldn’t know the history of this tractor part at all. Thank you for pointing out wfdec’s comment.
Beautiful captures of the forest, love the pony and mom. 🙂
many thanks, Amy
“and the ladies bought plants from the farm shop.”
Don’t you have enough of the things? Are you a pack of masochists?
The ponies are such peaceful creatures, who could not love them.
Quite, Brian. I did mention it. 🙂 Thanks.
Yes I was just wondering why, don’t they have more than enough already?
They do – but just keep packing them in baskets and pots.
I’ve seen timber jinkers but never knew the name. It’s a lovely name. A pleasure to share your day again Derrick.
A very great pleasure to have you read and comment, Quercus. Thank you.
🙂
I enjoyed your set of photos, especially the ponies. I also had to look up timber jinker. 🙂
Lovely forest stills. It makes me realise how much I miss seeing it directly
Many thanks, Geetha
Welcome Derrick 🙂