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Late this afternoon, the dull skies cleared and we enjoyed a warm and sunny day. Naturally, we took a drive into the forest.
A young man and his dog walking along Holmsley Passage,
set off onto the moors;
a couple of cyclists, passing a group relaxing on a gate crossed the junction of the road with the disused railway line that is now a footpath;
and a group of hikers, relieved of their backpacks, took a rest on the grass.
I have featured Honey Lane in Burley a couple of times before, but had never covered the whole length until today. This is because the serpentine, steeply undulating, ancient road is so pitted with often water-filled holes that you really need a 4 x 4 to negotiate it.
Jackie parked the Modus beside this gateway to a field,
and waited for me to wander down the lane and back.
The age of this thoroughfare is indicated by the high bank of hedgerows mounted by gnarled old trees.
Todays photographs are reproduced in the order in which I made them, thus replicating the ramble. Soon a troop of ponies came into view.
The tree to the right of the above picture is beginning to be carpeted by autumn leaves
waiting for the leading grey to rest its hooves.
Another wandered along behind.
This chestnut seemed rather scarred.
Cattlegrids are meant to deter hoofed animals from crossing them. Not so these two ponies foraging in someone’s garden. They clattered across the bars as I passed.
Here are more gnarled roots atop the bank,
up which some home owners have set steps to reach their gardens.
Here comes another scarred pony,
soon to be passed by a happy cyclist towing a trailer.
This wooden kissing gate was rather intriguing.
The ponies had other things on their minds.
A couple of cyclists passed the next animal,
which continued on towards me.
This tree reminded me of Jabba the Hutt.
Sunlight pierced the foliage in parts.
How, I wondered, had this very tall tree taken this circuitous route before ascending to the light above.
A blaze of yellow leaves enlivened this garden.
Sunlight dappled the shed of Orchard Farm,
and pierced a deep stygian bank.
Here is another gate to a field.
Can you spot the squirrel?
Nearing the Burley Street end of the lane
I mounted the next rise, turned, and
retraced my steps, catching sight of cyclists in the distance.
They soon sped down towards me, the first two, with cheery greetings, too fast for my lens;
their companions paused for a pleasant chat.
I spotted a few more colourful leaves.
A friendly woman walking her dog commented on what a pleasant evening it was,
and, with sunlight spanning a nearby tree, I was soon beside the Modus once more, and we set off for home.
On Holmsley Road a splendid stag seemed confused about crossing.
It had seen the approaching vehicle, turned,
and was soon back on the verge and disappearing into the forest.
Those of a tender disposition may wish to skip what we had for dinner.
This was Jackie’s superb liver and bacon casserole, leek and cauliflower cheese, roast parsnips, new potatoes, cabbage, and carrots. I finished the malbec.
What a pleasant ramble – and so informative too. So, those banks are made of decayed hedgerows? That surely means several hundreds of years if not millennia of plantings has happened in this area? And that circuitous tree – now that is intriguing! All your writer friends would invent such creative stories about that photo I’m sure! Maybe you could do one of those flash fiction things one of these days when you get a break from bureaucratic stupidity…….
Many thanks, Pauline. It could well be a millennium
The way you eat, your name should be King instead of Knight.
Many thanks, Oglach
Lol! So funny, Oggy! Yes, King Knight has quite a ring to it! — a diamond ring, of course 😀 😀
Today it will be wedding rings 🙂
Another wedding? Looking forward to your photos and story! 🙂
It is our wedding – almost 50 years after the first. Have a look at https://derrickjknight.com/2015/05/26/reincarnation/
Happiest of Days, darling Derrick and Jackie!!!
Many thanks, indeed, Rose
Love the sun-dappled trees and hedgerows. The twisted trunk is indeed a strange formation.
x
Thanks very much, Melanie
Wonderful; it really is a lovely part of the world – and I think at least one deserted early medieval village near Burley. Loved the stag and the curly tree. I’ve met people who remind me of Jabba the Hutt…
Thanks very much, Mike
It was so nice that you put them in order of your walk. Very nice to see the leaves, trees and animals. That one tree is so cool with his curled trunk! Lovely walk
Very many thanks, Lynn
Beautiful shots, Derrick. I love the gate by the open field.
Many thanks, Jill
Your 8th photo in, is fantastically outstanding, I was totally captivated by the serene beauty of the exquisite scene….Wonderful Derrick, in my humble opinion, one your best pictures, well done friend…
Very many thanks, Ivor. That one does rather sum up so much of the area
I really enjoyed this ramble down the lane with you! I love the dappled sunlight and the dark, overshadowed tree tunnels. It was good to see the beautiful stag and the curly tree is intriguing!
Many thanks, Clare. We had waited for such a day to enjoy this light.
What magical photos, especially the horses!
Many thanks, Luanne
That is a breathtaking play of light up and down the lane. I stood transfixed and transported. The squirrel was certainly more at ease than the stag.
Very many thanks, Uma
Erk, I saw your warning too late! But, thank you for being so considerate.
Well, I had a very different idea of what a kissing gate is!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kissing_gate
Many thanks, Yvonne. You are right about the gate, but this one seemed to be serving the same purpose – probably a home-made variant.
Me too ?
It was you two I was thinking of 🙂
Thought as much 🙂
🙂
Some really beautiful photographs there, and thanks for sharing them.
Many thanks, John
I can’t imagine the New Forest will be as tranquil this weekend as your photos suggest…over one hundred of our students are roaming with limited map skills in an attempt to achieve their Duke of Edinburgh Award ?
Did you recognise any of them? Thanks very much, Jenny
What a lovely walk. Certainly plenty of foot traffic along it, both of the two legged and four legged variety. Thanks for taking us along with you. Wonderful photos.
Many thanks, Miriam
What a wonderful photo walk for my early Sunday morning here in Alabama! I absolutely enjoyed this. Hard to say which was a favorite. They’re all so wonderful. The sagging barbed wire fences along the road are reminiscent of so many country roads here in the south. The stone steps leading up to a garden appealed to my sense of quiet mystery. And I think the horse pics will comfortably linger in my memory for a while. Just knowing they are there enjoying peaceful days is a joy in itself.
Thank you so much for posting.
Very many thanks, Paul
What a lovely way to spend the day Derrick!
Many thanks, Arlene
Great photos, and what a brain! How many people could work “stygian” into a post and manage Jabba the Hutt too?
What splendid rambles you take, Derrick! In the first photo of the gate (where Jackie parked), I thought it looked like the start of a magical adventure, and my thought was confirmed with the appearance of the white horse.
Your photos are wonderful. I particularly like the one of the cyclists in the distance. They look like they are traveling through a tunnel made of tree branches. (More magic.)
I laughed at your Jabba the Hut comment–but you are right, it does.
The curled tree is fascinating.
Very many thanks, Merril
Beautiful walk. I especially loved the squirrel and the stag, and the sunlight play.
There is nothing wrong with your dinner 😉
🙂 Many thanks, Inese. 🙂
Forever England! Lovely post, even if you did throw in Jabba the Hutt.
Many thanks, Brian. He was just plopped there.
how else could he have got there? Just plopped!
🙂
The beauty in Jackie’s stopping outside the fence, the light shimmering and softening the colors in the grassy field was such a great insightful capture. I like roots of trees along ancient hedgerows, I enjoy the ponies and loved the scared stag with soft fur and covered antlers. When Spring comes, the fur will be rubbed off, I think. Possibly during rutting season. Hugs to you and Jackie! ?
Very many thanks, Robin. So nicely observed
The pleasure in escaping to yours and Jackie’s adventures is mine! ?
Adding that I spied the gray squirrel with bushy tail, Derrick. I liked the worn steps with green moss growing on them as well going into the woods and the white pony in the 8th photo which truly was beautiful as another friend said.
Thanks again, Robin. X
Oh, thank you! ? hugs to all
That is a lovely walk, Derrick! Loved all your photos. And a splendid set of antlers on that deer!
Thanks very much, Lavinia
I thought it was going to be venison.
🙂 Many thanks, Mary.
Loved that circuitous tree, how mind compelling! Glad you took the trip with the modus and braved the potholes to give us a full recount of that road. It seems to be very interesting. Did not realise before how close to the forest you live that a small drive could take you there.
Thanks very much, Geetha. Just about a mile away.
You are so fortunate and most welcome 🙂
Awesome ramble and pics Derrick – love Jabba!! 🙂 plus the antlers on the stag…wow!
Thanks very much, Rob. Stags usually keep well out of the way. Glad you loved Jabba 🙂