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Setting the mood nicely, a sheet of heavy cloud leaked steady precipitation dripping down our windscreen all the way to New Hall Hospital for my appointment with Miss Melissa Davies, consultant urologist early this morning. Windscreen wipers swept across my vision. After an examination I’d rather not describe, and a full questionnaire I was able to leave with a certain amount of optimism signalled by the clearance of the skies and the emergence of sun separating the clouds. I do have to order a specific blood test and ask my GP to recommend a procedure involving a miniature camera and an anaesthetic.
Feeling rather hearty, we stopped at the charming village of Hale which I photographed without the need to numb my consciousness.
“You’re not photographing that are you?” asked the local resident who did not think the sculpture on the edge of the green looked much like a pony and foal.
The tree behind the sculpture was planted in 1992 to commemorate the fortieth anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II. The brass plaque explaining this is headed ‘Kinges Oak’.
A string of cyclists sped past the green,
on the other side of which a solitary equine representative stood before the school, the students of which will be playing where it stands once they return from the Summer break.
All post in the forest is delivered from little red vans, like the one driven by the postman enjoying a chat with a resident of one of the attractive thatched cottages.
The village is approached by narrow tree-lined lanes. I wondered whether the above brick built structure was the ice house once belonging to Hale House.
From the higher levels could be seen a patchwork quilt flung across the landscape,
above which patrolled a predatory raptor.
A herd of cows dined on the upper slopes.
The whole length of Roger Penny Way is punctuated by warning signs alerting drivers to the possibility of animals on the road. One is ‘Watch Out……’ pictured here. This flock had passed the sign when making their way across the road to this pasture. While I focussed on them a large bovine ambled down the centre of the minor road to my left to join its ovine cousins.
Afterwards we brunched at the Walkford Diner. Here we enjoyed huge traditional breakfasts cooked on a griddle. Black puddings and haggis, for example, are imported from Stornaway, and potato scones are just like the ones Mum used to make. Only when inside did we realise that the establishment was run by Ian, who had produced excellent meals at Molly’s Den. These were even better.
It will therefore come as no surprise that I could not join in the ladies’ enjoyment of Jackie’s beef in red wine dinner. (Mum is better and Elizabeth is back with us). I was, however, able to manage the Culinary Queen’s apple and apricot crumble and custard, and a couple more glasses of the Fleurie.
Nice post as always. I guess we both visited our Urologists today. I’m still at the VA Hospital but will leave for home shortly. No horses cows, sheep or sculptures for me on my trip home. Just traffic! Ugh!
Good luck with yours, Gary. Many thanks
The herd of cows on the upper slope reminded me of my life as a little girl in the country. Our house bordered on a cow farm and it looked a lot like your photo. Thank you for bringing back that memory for me.
That is very pleasing, Cathi. I love to jog memories. Many thanks
You’ve got me worried, now, Derrick. I was sure I could see the ear of an Indian elephant.
Art is in the eye of the beholder, John. Thanks very much
ah those little trips eh. I managed a dental operation yesterday and today it feels like i have lettuce stuck to the roof of my mouth which is ‘expected’ not that makes it any more, er, palatable. Hope the proceedure you are due isn’t what I think it might be – don’t share by the way, just let my imagination run riot
Your imagination never lets you down, Geoff. Many thanks.
It’s well out of control…
🙂
Sorry to hear you have had to visit hospital , wishing you well . Kind regards Graham et Jiselle .
Thanks very much to you both, Graham et Jiselle. I am optimistic
Seeing those thatched cottages always make my heart sing Derrick! I’m a bit onside with the local’s view of the sculpture though. ‘It’s a good beginning,’ is my view – I wonder when he will come back and finish it……. And I’m quite glad you didn’t feel the necessity to be open about the urologists process.
I’m pleased to make your heart sing, Pauline. I guess the urologist’s excavations are well known, really. Thanks very much, Pauline.
What a charming place! Doesn’t look rainy?
The rain had let up by then, but, you are right, it doesn’t look as if they had any. Thanks very much, Luanne
That’s the best way–rain and then a brilliant clearup!
It is, indeed
I’m glad to know your mum is better. Loved the wooded lane!
I thought you would, Jill. Thanks very much
I’m glad you felt hearty in Hale!
You include cyclists in your lens as giving a fair chance to the lower orders . . .
Many thanks, Leslie. I thought you would appreciate that one 🙂
You get to see such beautiful sights on the way to the doctor’s. The landscapes are beautiful–I like that view from higher ground. I can understand why you weren’t hungry after that breakfast!
Thanks very much, Merril 🙂
🙂
Feeling rather hearty, we stopped at the charming village of Hale – clever boy.
🙂 Eagle eyed as ever, Jodie. Many thanks.
: )
Sorry to hear about the hospital visit, Derrick, but it obviously didn’t spoil your talent for a pun. I’m inclined to agree with the local resident…
Thanks for the sentiment, and for noticing the pun, Mike 🙂 Actually the more I look at that sculpture, the more I can see it.
Thank you for the glorious photos Derrick, Hale is definitely a charming village.
It really does look the quintessential English village, Ivor. Thanks very much
You live such a pastoral life on a few levels, Derrick–wonderful.
Very many thanks, Cynthia
Cow, sheep…and I’m glad you were able to include one horse as well!
🙂 Thanks very much, Diane
Getting medical attention has started sounding like Quantum Physics. The simplicity and pristine beauty of the forest is reminiscent of a way of life we seem to have forgotten.
PS: I guess you mean red vans there.
Thanks very much, Uma. You are right about the typo, which I have now amended. The forest really does remind us how it was.
The thatched cottages are indeed very attractive. Are they special for this village of Hale? Can we see such structures in other part of England?
They are all over SW England and elsewhere, Rupali. One very close to our house. I have often featured them, and will no doubt do so again. Thanks very much
Good to know.
You know I love the livestock pictures, but today the thatched roofs caught my attention. I’m glad to see they still exist. When I was a kid (and unfortunately that was long time ago), I went to ‘Plantation’ and saw the start of the reconstruction of an early American settlement. To have authentic thatched roofs, they had to import Irish thatchers. The guide told us it was the only place that still people adept in the trade.
There are master thatchers all over our area. I haven’t met an Irish one yet. Thanks very much, GP
Derrick, that brick structure has me fascinated. Next time you have nothing to do (Oh and do you swallow the miniature camera ) you’d better go back and find out what it is. “Ice House” is an unsatisfactory detail.
We’ve twice pondered the brick structure. We may have to find a local to ask. I’ll leave the camera’s insertion to your imagination. I refuse to think about it. 🙂 Thanks a lot, Paol
I thought it was a malevolent pig, and even when you told me what it was, I still couldn’t see it. Good luck with your procedure. As an old Yankee might say, if it’s not one thing, it’s something else.
Thanks again, Laurie. I am really not troubled about the prostate issue
Good! So glad to hear.
Your sharing is always a treat to the eyes and takes us to the memory lanes of my childhood days when I used to have these experiences. Wonderful sharing indeed. Regards
Very many thanks, Harbans. I love to trigger memories
That is a noble cause factually. Regards
I’m glad the local art and livestock provided light relief. Wishing you all the best, Derrick.
Many thanks, Ali
Good luck with the camera – they let me have a look in my bladder last time they put one up. Very interesting. Though it didn’t seem very miniature…
Hope it all goes well.
Great photos, and a great breakfast too from the sound of it.
🙂
Just what I needed to read, Quercus 🙂 Thanks for the good wishes. There were several breakfast options bigger than the one we chose. The toast was great thick doorstops that would not have fitted into any toaster I’ve seen.
I’m feeling even hungrier now! 🙂
I can see the mare and foal in the sculpture. The tree behind has grown well – must be better soil than my back garden!
Thanks very much, Helen. I see the ponies the more I look at it
😊
Wishing you best of luck with your medical tests, Derrick.
Thank you very much, Inese
🦋. Great photos. Wonderful blog.
Thanks very much, Chrissy