CLICK ON ANY IMAGE IN A CLUSTER TO ACCESS AN ENLARGED GALLERY
This warm and wet afternoon Jackie and I went shopping at Setley Ridge Farm Shop for tomorrow’s provisions.
The amount of rain that has fallen in the last few days was reflected in the pitted car park surfaces. Bedraggled remnants of Christmas decorations partly filled trays left outside.
Inside the attractively laid out shelves displayed bread, biscuits, fruit, vegetables, nuts, drinks, preserves, free range eggs, dates, and much more. Lines of cups fronting pickle jars contained taster samples of the enticing varieties. Even the shoppers’ baskets in the doorway invited filling with the wholesome provender.
On our return through Brockenhurst we noticed a string of donkeys on the breadline in the garden of Greatham House. A coating of bracken indicated that they had trooped in from the forest for their tea, which, clearly a regular event, was soon provided by the lady of the house.
This evening we all dined on Jackie’s splendid steak and mushroom pie, creamy mashed potatoes, and crisp cabbage, cauliflower, and carrots. I drank more of the shiraz cabernet and Becky and Ian drank Encostats de Caiz vinho verde 2016.
Love all these cute jars and bottles. And the donkeys, of course 🙂
Thanks very much, Inese
Very colorful display at the shop. Have a Happy New Year!!
Many thanks, Karen. You too
Delightful! Have a wonderful New Year with your family and friends!
Many thanks, Cynthia
Sounds wonderful – from the menu to the donkey troop
Thank you very much Gather Stones
Sounds as though there’s a New Year’s party in the pipeline for tomorrow, Derrick. A happy 2018 to Jackie and yourself, and to all your family and friends who keep me entertained throughout the year in your excellent photo galleries.
Very many thanks, Roland. Good wishes reciprocated. You are right about the party – very quiet and early, though
The donkeys in line at the door is such a delightful photo, Derrick. It made me laugh. I’m imagining the one in front knocking at the door (though it doesn’t seem necessary).
I hope you were able to find everything you wanted for–a party? That shop looks great.
Very many thanks, Merril. Yep. Everything bought.
I laughed the moment I opened this post and saw the photo of the donkeys. Too cute!
So pleased, Gwen. Many thanks
Such an inviting little market. Those donkeys are hilarious! Cheers, Derrick!
Many thanks, Jill
What a nice shop! One of the donkeys looks as though its collar is too tight. I’m glad they’re getting some handouts worth showing up for…
Many thanks, Lisa
The pictures of the donkey’s at Greatham House, arriving from the forest for their tea is absolutely gorgeous.
Very many thanks, Ivor
Those donkeys know all the good places to eat!
They do, Leslie. Many thanks
Lovely warmth in the pics, Derrick. Happy New Year to you and Jackie.
Many thanks, Frank; and a Happy 2018 to you
What a wonderful shop! I love all your photos of the good for sale. Such sensible donkeys!
Many thanks, Clare. Just fished this out of Spam
I have to check my spam folder every day – I am always finding friends comments in there!
Me, too
The world survives on hope. I am glad the donkeys get their daily bread from that kind house. Wishing you a great New Year ahead!
Many thanks, Uma; and a Happy 2018 to you and your family
I like how the quaint interior of the shop contrasts with the snaps of outside
Glad you appreciated that, Geetha. Many thanks
Most welcome Derrick
Such a mix of wonderful scenes. WISH YOU HAPPY NEW YEAR. HARBANS
Many thanks, Harbans
My pleasure. :))
All I ever wanted for Christmas was a donkey. Never got one.
🙂 Thanks a lot, Paol
Glad you included the donkeys, Derrick – thanks!
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🙂 I did think of you whilst doing it – making it extra pleasing to include them. Thanks a lot, GP
Just the shop to stock up for the New Year. A Happy 2018 to you!
Oh, I love that the donkeys line up outside to wait for their food. Aren’t people the best? And that shop is so inviting. Happy New Year, my friends – looking forward to a great gardening season this year – last year I had to work too hard & missed all the fun.
🙂 Have an easier 2018, Jodie. Many thanks
Thank you, Derrick! That is my resolution – to work harder at the creative, fun, gardening, sewing, etc. and to work less hard at the stuff that brings in the money. Practicality may intervene, but that’s my plan.
Does the fun never end in your house? Looks like another great day.
Many thanks, Quercus. I just get out the archives when necessary 🙂
🙂
I’d like some of that pie and mashed potatoes.
Many thanks, Mary
In the USA I never saw a brown egg, only white. In your photo with eggs, they too are all white;.
In Australia, they are all always brown, even the so called free range, which makes me suspect that all eggs in Australia, are from hens that are being fed something that makes them lay only brown eggs, and there is no such thing as free range!
How delightful it must be to have a group of donkeys appearing at your door for afternoon tea, we city dwellers miss out on so much, and without posts such as yours, we’d be completely oblivious to the joys of country living.
As I was for most of my life, Brian. Many thanks. An interesting point about the eggs.
That is allot of rain!! Wow. Love the shop so cute and lovely photos!
Many thanks, Lynn
most welcome
I love the train of donkeys visiting the house for tea!
Thanks very much, Lavinia. Ponies do it, too