CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE. REPEAT IF REQUIRED.
This morning we dumped two more bags of garden cuttings in the Effort Recycling Centre. Some of the branches had required sawing, so I cut up a few logs first. Afterwards we visited the GP surgery in Milford on Sea to make appointments for flu jabs; then drove back to New Milton to arrange an eye test at Boots Opticians.
We were then free for a forest drive.
Holmsley Passage is beginning to show touches of autumn.
A pair of cyclists freewheeled, two abreast, down the hill into Burley, swinging round to their left.
Russet ponies on the moorland beyond the village merged with the brown bracken.
Patches of the terrain are becoming waterlogged,
with plants disappearing under water,
and grazing animals not having far to travel for a drink.
As usual the ponies ambled at will across the road,
since they knew the grass is greener on the other side. A grey ambled along to join the others.
Cattle stood staring on the verge;
waded in ditch water in order to reach the shrubbery,
one letting me know what she thought of my intrusion;
or just took ownership of the road outside
Hockey’s Farm Shop where we enjoyed a wholesome brunch. The garment on the back of the chair is placed there for the use of customers who may feel cold.
Further down the road, lacking competition for the mast, a lone Gloucester Old Spot sow snuffled along snorting “mine, all mine”.
This evening we dined on fish fingers, chips, and baked beans. Jackie finished the Tsingao and I finished the minervois.
Lovely shots of your lovely scenery, Derrick. How blessed to have such journeys on your doorstep daily.
Blessed indeed, Roland. Thanks very much
It was nice the cattle and pigs got equal time with the horses this time, Derrick. 😉 I really liked the third photo down of the two horses on the hill, but then I liked the ones with water, and then all the individual animal portraits. . .
Very many thanks, Merril
I envy the animals’ peaceful life.
Thanks very much, Rekha
They are all such happy photographs ~ love the one of the cow poking it’s tongue out ?
x
Many thanks, Melanie
I love that first photo. It’s like a road less traveled. I admire country scenery like these. Wonderful photos Derrick.
Many thanks, Arlene
Veryou lovely photos
Many thanks, Cinnamon Girl
You’re welcome
I meant very lovely photos
🙂
Lovely countryside. The pig looks very independent 🙂
She was – and could she cover the ground! Thanks a lot, Inese
Heh, heh, heh … you took photos of their bums, they stick their tongues out at you … a fair exchange, I’d say! 😀
🙂 Laughing out loud, here, Widders. Good one
Splendid! You made a silk purse out of a sour’s ear!
Great comment, Bruce (FB spellcheck did their best to ruin it, but they failed). Man thanks
Heartwarming sketches of ponies, cattle and the sow along with compelling photographic rendering. The leisurely, devil-may-care attitude of the ponies present an excellent contrast to the gluttonous, ‘all-mine’ arrogance of the sow. I enjoyed the onomatopoeic description of the latter. The cattle belong to the midline perhaps?
Very many, thanks, Uma for your usual eloquent comments. I think the cattle, although they own the road, have more traffic awareness than the ponies.
How I LOVE that pig!
Grunts, Osyth 🙂
Looked like that old Spot sow had a relative or two contribute to your brunch. I haven’t seen a good ole country breakfast like that in a long time! And as always, a great photo ride when I get to see the animals!!
Many thanks, GP. I wondered whether anyone would pick up the bacon and sausages juxtaposition 🙂
Love the leisurely lifestyle your pictures depict Derrick, so rural and relaxing, the Queens Head looks inviting and the breakfast perfectly presented.
Very many thanks, Ian
The “Queens Head” seems a popular name for pubs, pity is they don’t say which Queen. I think you did show one a while back; Queen Jane ( aka Lady Jane Grey),
On that brunch plate did I espy a couple of Yankee hash browns? Bit rude dumping one fried egg on top of the other;
Thanks a lot, Brian. We had thought it was Queen Jane, but Becky has correctly identified the image as Queen Elizabeth I as a young girl. I amended the post accordingly. Yes, they were hash browns, but Hockey’s don’t do chips or fried potatoes.
The moorland is looking very autumnal now. I loved the photograph of the submerged plants!
Thanks very much, Clare
I spent several years of my youth overlooking and visiting the moors so your photos bring back many memories – so different to the scenes now here in Africa!! 🙂
I’m pleased to bring those memories back, Rob. Thanks very much.
Thanks to you Derrick- much appreciated!
You and Jackie have done a wonderful job promoting the forest area. Perhaps someday Rick and I will get to visit this region.
If you ever do you would be welcome to stay with us. Many thanks, Lavinia
Thank you, Derrick and Jackie!
That brunch. Even the photograph would be banned by my woosey health advisor
Thanks a lot, Paol.
Excellent breakfast, though under my new health regime such things are becoming rarer…
Many thanks, Quercus. This was smaller than the one at Friars Cliff 🙂
I love a good breakfast, but I also want to be healthier and that involves eating less.. 🙁