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The Head Gardener rarely spends much money on a plant. It was therefore an event when, three years ago, she splashed out on a very poorly, potted, plant at Redcliffe Garden Centre. She was very excited this morning to report that the Dierama Angel’s fishing rod, has bloomed for the first time under the Cryptomeria tree.
The Sunday Gardener’s website has an excellent page on how to grow this garden gem.
This afternoon we drove around the forest.
On Beechwood Lane near Burley we encountered a pair of cyclists photographing a group of ponies with a slumbering foal lying on the tarmac.
Spotting a bench beyond the trees under which the animals were sheltering, I walked across and perched on it to continue photographing the equine group. It was a while before I noticed that I, too, was being focussed upon.
While most of the horses were happy under their canopy,
one grey peered persistently, hungrily, at Jackie through the window of the Modus.
Quite suddenly, the whole troop, having sensed activity in the garden opposite, set off and stationed themselves, tails swishing, hopefully by the gate.
The twitching tails are the ponies’ fly whisks. I’m sure I heard this animal curse those damn flies as it violently shook its head and mane instead.
Once again, I hadn’t realised that Jackie was photographing me from my new vantage point on a row of logs.
Eventually, no food forthcoming, the horses set off down the lane. So did we, in the opposite direction.
Our dinner, however, was forthcoming this evening. We enjoyed breaded chicken fillets, potato wedges, baked beans and a Cimarosa New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc 2017
pretty ponies as always…just what I needed to make me smile from ear to ear….shoo flies <3
Pleased you liked them, Kim. Thanks very much
When I saw the title I thought it was going to be about faulty new trousers. Love the horses, they are really lovely.
Many thanks, John 🙂
LOL
Poor ponies with those pesky flies! I love that the little one just lies down where he is when tired and mama stands guard. It reminded me of when Siddy was just a tiny puppy and I took him to the beach. He would run and run then just go flop wherever he was and go to sleep – so funny! Luckily for him he was so small I could just pick him up and carry him home. The dierama is new to me, so I went and read up on it. It’s very pretty!
Thanks very much for this, Pauline. I can just picture you carrying little Siddy.
I had been told that is a horse lays down it will die. Clearly, this is not the case!
The foals always lie down. I reckon it is because they are more flexible than the adults., who mostly sleep standing. Thanks very much, Helen
I see, so the adults do sleep standing. Thanks, Derrick.
Dierama Angel’s fishing rod – That is a new one to me. The only flower I know with such delicate stems is my beloved Coral Bells, but their flowers are tiny compared to this stunner. I very much appreciate Jackie’s “make do” spirit, but this one was worth a purchase for sure. Congratulations to her for nursing it back to health.
I was VERY happy to see that baby pony up and well. I’m pretty sure those bikers stopped because they thought the poor thing was dead there on the road. I sure did.
Very many thanks, Jodie. I think you are right about the bikers
: )
I once had a horse named Silly Willy that looked very much like the foal’s mum.
A lovely animal to have, Leslie. Thanks very much
Lovely shots of those ponies. What a great way to spend the day.
Thanks very much, Arlene
Are they ponies or horses, Derrick?
I love the ones rubbing their heads against the tree, it looks like a pair of unicorns that are stuck!!
I’ve never seen Dierama before, very pretty!
Thanks very much, Val. They are New Forest ponies. As they are all equines I tend to drop in the word horses for a bit of variety. I’m pleased you noticed the unicorn effect
Well, as we have a sign on our side gate that says “Beware of the Unicorn”, I would… 🙂
I reckon that shady corner of the forest is irresistibly photographic. You look engrossed in your art.
Thanks very much, Uma
Great candid shots by Jackie! So many horses!
Many thanks, Jill
😃
Good to see you are regaining your flexibility and once more perambulating in the garden and woods – or at least staggering from bench to bench 🙂
We are back from our perambulations in North America and hopefully I will catch up with posting my tales. I’ll have to forgo attempting to catch up with all the posts that came in during our travels unfortunately. Begging your forgiveness 🙂
Of course you are forgiven, Gwen 🙂 You got it right with staggering. Many thanks
Beautiful collection.
Thanks very much, Rupali
Wonderful! The ponies/horses are so beautiful! Their faces always make me smile!
And what a beautiful day!
Aren’t benches terrific?!
The older I get the more I appreciate benches! 🙂
HUGS!!! 🙂
Thanks very much, Carolyn. I am beginning to appreciate benches again as getting in and out becomes less painful
This is a wonderful heartfelt blog and Your photos are always so lovely..
Good morning !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Many thanks, Efi
Another delightful set of garden and New Forest photographs. You ought to apply for a pay-back for the marvellous publicity you give your surrounding are.
Thanks very much, Roland. I do hope my work doesn’t go unnoticed by the authorities 🙂
I adored all of your pony photos Derrick, thank you.
Many thanks, Ivor. Thank you for this
Lovely flower—yay, Jackie!—and oh those horses.
Many thanks, Laurie
What wonderful things benches and logs are! 😀
Quite so, Widders. 🙂 Thanks very much.
I imagine it would be tempting to feed such beautiful ponies. Someone must have given in to that temptation.
Yes, patient queues are often seen outside gates in the forest. Thanks very much, JoAnna
So sweet!
Thank you very much, Lynn
These are lovely. 🙂
They really believe they own the place, I’m on their side! :bear: 🐴 🐎
It is rather wonderful. Thanks a lot, Brian
I’m sure the sure you heard right; the ponies cursing! Since Wednesday, there’s been a lot of what looks like flying ants. I mean A LOT. The disadvantage of summer are definately those bugs. Lovely photos as always, Derrick.
Many thanks, Persia. I remember those ants in London so well. They played havoc with the tennis – you could see them on TV
Gosh, really?! Ick! There are so many. I came across a swarm of them yesterday. They were coming out of a crack in the ground. It was gross.
Apologies for the typo in the previous comment. I have now decided I will no longer comment using my phone. Auto spell check is rubbish! And I’ve also noticed words are randomly being added to my sentences!
I don’t know how anybody can do anything blog-wise on their phone 🙂
So true.
Tis the season for those damn flies. Even the horses are have to deal with them !!
Yes, indeed. Thanks very much, Terry
Such wonderful photos, Derrick. And good for Jackie, sneaking in those shots of you. 🙂
The title of your post caught my eye because last night we started getting flies in the house–and my cousin was visiting.
Many thanks, Merril. Jackie dashes around with a spray when they come in the house 🙂
Thanks for the warm smile Derrick!