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Autumn tidying in the garden produced enough clippings to warrant a trip to the Efford Recycling Centre. In exchange for two bags of these and £4 we returned with four firm chair cushions for raising the front passenger seat, and a plinth for the owl in the new arbour.
Towards the end of the afternoon we drove through the forest and stopped at Hatchet Pond
where gulls occasionally took off after food,
and donkeys attempted to share visitors’ refreshments.
When I asked the group in a camper van if they minded the photographs, the gentleman, beaming, replied: “I don’t mind. It’s not my donkey”.
Approaching Brockenhurst on our way home, we deviated to that extension of Highland Water that flows under the A337.
Shadows were cast beneath the trees.
A family and a couple lingered, enjoying the last rays of sunshine.
Tried not to trip over tree roots, probably laid bare when the stream has been in spate.
The usual samples of litter had been left behind, none so brazen as this.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s luscious lamb cobbler, new potatoes, carrots, and Brussels sprouts. The Culinary Queen drank Hoegaarden and I finished the Graves.
Beautiful autumn images.
Thanks very much, Rupali
Beautiful photos, as usual Derrick. The two at the top are stunning. I laughed at “not my donkey.”
Many thanks, Merril. So did I 🙂
Even better! 🙂
Wonderful photos, Derrick, and I love the friendly donkeys. The New Forest is beautiful. It must be great to be able to drive through whenever you have the time.
We are very lucky Millie. Many thanks
I’m pleased to hear the owl is getting its own plinth. Are the first two photos shown in black and white or is it the time of day – I like them very much, especially the first one with the play of light!
Many thanks, Pauline. First is B/W; second isn’t.
I wondered about the black/white, too. I see it, now, that one is and one isn’t.
🙂
Yes, me too – I think I needed permission to ‘see’ how strange is that 🙂
I love the black and white photos and your bargaining
Many thanks, Sylvie
Love the recycling story. Always something happening in the Forest.
Many thanks, Laurie
I am getting to the point that I want a donkey so badly. They are so cute! And I love the water images.
The shot Approaching Brockenhurst is stunning, Derrick!
Thanks very much, Jill
I love the B&W photos. There’s something about the way they focus the light and textures. And I too laughed at “not my donkey.”
Thanks very much, Lisa
The choice of monochrome renders a timeless character to the pond. I’d prefer the donkey any day over the cretin who left his mark by the sign prohibiting littering.
Many thanks, Uma. Me too
Yes, donkeys over cretins any day!
Your black and white photos were outstanding Derrick, and humbug I detest litterbugs, I’m afraid they’re laziest of human’s and there’s absolutely no excuses for such behaviour …
Thanks, Ivor. What amazes me is that they should visit a beautiful place and yet have no feeling for it
Litter bugs! (Very nasty emoji)
But I did like the comment ‘It’s not my donkey.”
Thanks a lot, Paol
You’ve cleared up one thing (almost) – which I shall not remember of course: Is it Brussel’s Sprouts, or Brussels’s Sprouts, or Brussels Sprouts, or Brussel Sprouts , or Brussels Sprouts or what the heck…? The word checker will not allow me not to capitalise the B of Brussels. Oh – as you see dear Crossword Man – the stress of life…
Some don’t use a capital b. The only one I haven’t seen used is Brussels’s. As you say ‘what the heck?. Thanks for that, Bruce
Thanks Derrick. I shall henceforth use brussels’s Sprouts – just to annoy every body…
🙂
If I live to be a 100, I shall never understand anybody who can leave litter in a place as beautiful as that. I don’t even leave it in places that are already strewn with litter. Either you add to the chaos of the world or you make the choice not to do that.
Quite, John. Thanks a lot
When I rule the world I will make it a priority to catch litter bugs and make them eat the litter they left. Yes, this includes dog owners.
The way round the Brussels Sprouts issue is to use the Nottingham term “knobby greens”. 😉
Thanks a lot, Quercus. 🙂
😉
great pics as always! Especially the light of Hatchet Pond (sounds like a thriller for TV!!)
It does, indeed, Rob. I’m afraid it is just the description of its shape. Thanks a lot.
Great post, Derrick. That donkey face is so cute! I love thinking of you wandering about, meeting people, and getting gems like “not my donkey.” Such fun. – Re: litter – I judge litterers very harshly. It is disrespectful and lazy. I am often seen running down the road with my dog and a bag of her poop. My husband goes out with a trash bag and cleans up the streets. It is just occurring to me that we might be the town crazies. lol
When we lived in Minstead and I still walked through the forest I sometimes carried a bag to do what your husband does. Thanks for this and for following the earlier links.
Ah, we town crazies tend to enjoy each other, i guess.
I grew up in Wimbledon, [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWQMMPFtoG4&w=560&h=315%5D 🙂
Wow – Love that song. I make use of the things that I find AND I my husband picks up litter. Perhaps we should move over there where we’d fit in better. – Although Canada has also been looking very tempting for the past year. . .
So awful that you should feel like jumping over the border.
Derrick – I can’t even begin to explain . . . It’s been an awful year. I am not one to dwell on the bad things, but this has permeated.
permeated the world
Yes, I am sure it has permeated the world. I know you guys are all shocked at us. I am shocked at us.
Jackie was watching a programme where people who voted for Fart were asked whether they would do so again. Listening to it, I was amazed how many women said they would.
I had never heard “Fart.” But, yes, I have heard the same thing. Lots of people are just fine with him. I’ve spent a year looking at the people around me thinking “Who ARE you people?”
In our Midlands ‘trump’ is the word for ‘fart’ 🙂
Around here it is the word for delusional idiot.
🙂
I can’t stand litterbugs either. I loved seeing all the lovely autumnal views of the forest and the water.
Thanks very much, Clare
How do you say no to a donkey?
Not easy. Thanks a lot, Mary
🙂
Those black and white pictures with the special light effect are gorgeous!
Very many thanks, Geetha
Most welcome Derrick 🙂
Another trip to the countryside and seeing the ‘wildlife’ – you always have my attention, Derrick!
(I never heard of lamb cobbler – maybe the Culinary Queen could do a post one day?!!
Many thanks, GP. You could try this one: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/5533/herby-lamb-cobbler
You’re right – looks and sounds great. I know my better-half will like it!
Thanks to both of you, I was going to ask for the recipe! 🙂 <3
I think we’ll be eating pretty good, eh?
Beautiful photos, Derrick, and I love the black & white of clouds and water. Sometimes color does not quite do justice to a scene.
I am so sorry about those litterbugs. We have them here too.
An ubiquitous bug, I think, Lavinia. Thanks very much for such loyal reading and commenting