CLICK ON ANY IMAGE TO ENLARGE. REPEAT IF REQUIRED
Late this afternoon Jackie and I took a car ride into the forest.
Whilst we were making our leisurely way along Braggers Lane,
we passed a friendly young woman riding a horse. I exchanged waves with the rider.
Further on, I disembarked to photograph fresh ferns in the hedgerow
and the sloping landscape with ponies.
I was pleased to hear the gentle, rhythmic, clopping that told me the rider was approaching. I waited for her to arrive and she effected a skilled manoeuvre taking her steed across the road taking backward steps.
She was happy to be photographed, but said “I was trying to get out of your picture”.
“I wanted you in it”. I replied, “It’s all part of the scene”.
“I guess so”, was her smiling response.
“Definitely”, said I,
and she continued on her way.
Further waves were exchanged a little later on.
As we neared Burley, a New Forest tour bus approached us. We keep promising ourselves a ride on one. We must look into it. The photographic perspective should be interesting.
This evening the three of us dined on mango and chili chicken fillets; juicy ratatouille; roasted sweet potatoes; and tender runner beans. Jackie drank a local wheat beer, and Elizabeth and I drank more of the Merlot.
who knew they did open top bus tours? Goodness. You’ll be telling me you have tourists in the Forest next…
🙂 Thanks a lot, Geoff
What a lovely horse and rider! And yes please, do the bus tour. It’s always fun being tourists in your own area 🙂
Thanks very much, Pauline
It looks like a lovely day. What is her horse wearing on its head?
I think they were ear protectors from the flies. Thanks very much, Merril
Oh! That makes sense. They made me think of Bat Man, I think, or some super hero. 🙂
I think I should have mentioned that – never mind, you prompted me
I bet there is a good view from atop the bus!
And how fun to hear the clopping and then be able
To
Click!!
Thanks very much, Yvette
Derrick, thank you for taking me with you upon your journey, I really enjoyed the view <3
Thanks very much, Sue
?
I’m a sucker for a double decker – it’s a whole new view of the familiar … I hope to see the fruits of your photographic labours on the bus-top very soon 🙂
That will spur me on, Osyth. Thanks very much
🙂
I love the picture of the rider, only spoilt by the impression that she still uses a bit. I have become a bitless evangelist after riding horses without them and after most of our local equestrian events also don’t have them.
The kids would so love a ride in that bus! Didn’t see such tours when we were there.
Thanks a lot, Leslie. Sorry you missed the bus
Literally!
Love that first shot!
Done for you, Jill. Thanks very much
Every day the same great forest – every day a completely new aspect to enjoy!
Many thanks, Paol. And variation gets more difficult 🙂
Was the coy rider Laura Tomlinson? I love those tour bus rides. Why are they always red? My bucket list contains one such ride on the streets of London. Perhaps I can throw in a New Forest ride too? If only wishes we’re horses!
I’m ashamed to say I had to Google Laura Tomlinson 🙂 The buses in the New Forest are coloured according to their route. There are also blue and green ones. It would be good to see you over here. Many thanks, Uma
None of us is as omniscient as Google and that is why the search engine behemoth exists. Thanks for your kind words, Derrick.
I have to look online to see who that Laura is, also.
Braggers Lane, that’s quite an interesting name.
It piqued my interest too. It is tempting to assume the lane may have been populated by braggers at some point of time!
I hope Derrick will find out for us.
Bragger may also have originated as an occupational name for a master of hunting hounds, from the Medieval English “bra(c)ke”, (Old High German “bracho”, a hound which hunts by scent. … Finally, the name may derive from the Medieval English “bragge, lively, brisk originating as a nickname for an active, cheerful person.
I do luv me some olde English.
🙂
Thank you both.
Oh No, not a tour bus, I am allergic to tour busses!
🙂 Thanks a lot, Andrew
What a strange name, “Braggers Lane”! If you go on a tour bus, make sure you check how long you are going to be on it, and if there any “comfort stops” as you go round. My own experiences with the Cornwall Open-top bus, over five uninterrupted hours of travel, were horrendous. Never again!
Thanks, John. Good advice. See my response to Yvonne re name
What do people brag about while on Braggers Lane? Or is it called that because the scenery is brag-worthy?!
I love seeing the ferns!
And that 3rd photo is stunningly beautiful! The greenery frames the horses…we peek in quietly and observe them.
OH! Please go on the bus tour and show us what it looks like from up there! A tip-top view for sure! 🙂
HUGS!!! 🙂
Many thanks, Carolyn. See my response to Yvonne re the name. I’m pleased you liked the peeky pic
Thanks for the explanation. It is a curious name. 🙂
Enjoyed your post Derrick, how about a bit of history on how some places are named, such as Braggers Land, the name sounds intriguing and begs explaining.
Cheers.
See my response to Yvonne on this one, Ian. I’ll do more on local lanes when possible. Cheers
The idea of an open top bus tour on a nice sunny day definitely appeals to me Derrick.
Thanks very much, Ivor
Little does your rider know how many will be glad to see her and her horse in a blog post!!
True, GP. Many thanks
Like the young woman on her horse, I’ve often been caught while out in a public place in a stranger’s photograph. The intersection of our lives just came to mind.
Yes. I always check that the subject is happy.
Love the red ear protectors. 🙂
Thanks very much, Widders
I loves these photographic tours through the forest. The red bug prevention hat on the horse is a nice touch, too. 🙂
Thanks very much, Lavinia. You would appreciate that