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This afternoon, Jackie drove me around the East of the forest.
A group of donkeys diced with death as they munched on the verges of the winding lanes approaching East End,
where a llama in a field slowly swivelled its gaze in my direction;
and seasonal signs included blackberries ripening in the hedgerows,
starlings gathering on overhead cables,
and pheasants trotting across the moorland.
Three young cyclists came whooping down the approaching slope and up the next,
until they ran out of puff, dismounted, and, with a certain amount of trepidation, negotiated their way past fly-pestered ponies bent on keeping cottages’ grass cropped.
One of the many wandering cattle at East Boldre craned over a white picket fence and set about wrecking the owners’ shrubbery.
Gulls and swans shared Beaulieu’s Hatchet Pond.
This evening we will shortly be driving to The Family House at Totton where we will meet Becky, Ian, and Elizabeth for an excellent Chinese meal.
P.S. The evening was most enjoyable. The restaurant served the usual excellent food; the ambience being as warm and friendly as ever.
Kim took me blackberrying a couple of weeks ago. I was stung by a wasp. I told her next time she wants blackberries I’ll go to Tescos!
🙂 Cheers, Andrew
coward!
Exactly!
Beautiful series of words and pictures. This piece not only captures the changing of the season but also gives a keen sense of place.
Thank you very much, Laurie
Such a beautiful nature wander. I love all those animal faces. 🙂
The gulls and swans series is stunning!
I’m pleased you thought so, Merril. Thank you very much
Going through you photos feels almost like being there – great collection!
Thanks very much, Dolly
My pleasure
What a lovely drive, Derrick. Thank you Jackie for taking him!
I’m afraid, if it were me in that forest, I wouldn’t get past all these animals, I have to get out and pet each one!!
You certainly wouldn’t get far, GP. Many thanks
Let’s just hope that that particular shrubbery isn’t owned by the Knights who say Ni.
🙂 Many thanks, John
I shall think myself lucky I only have deer to contend with.
🙂 Thanks very much, Jessica
Wild blackberries!! We no longer can do that as our local councils are spray happy chaps – sometimes the UK has it just right!
Thanks very much, Pauline
You are so fortunate to live in an area where wildlife (and domestic animals) are valued! Lovely pictures of them all. They seem to love being photographed!
We have a llama farm not far from our house, Derrick. I’ve always enjoyed visiting them. I love the second to the last photo of the cow. That would make a great jigsaw puzzle, too! 🙂
Thanks very much, Jill. The cow was quite nonchalant about me 🙂
What a glorious outing. Lucky you! I’m with GP Cox in wanting to stop and pet all the animals.
Thanks very much, Peggy. Many people do. There are several spots where the ponies stand and wait in expectation of cars driving up.
Such a calm pheasant!
It was, Alex. Many thanks
Loved that cow this time! –many great pictures.
Thanks very much, Cynthia
Nice post Derrick. Love all the animals as akways along your route. I’m sure the owner of that cow who ruined the shrubs was not happy.
Many thanks, Gary. I expect the owner is quite used to it.
Didn’t know England had llamas! Are they natives of the land? The trio of cyclists present a cute symmetry. I remember I too was scared of cattle on the road and how I always strived to give them a wide berth.
Thanks very much, Uma. Llamas are not natives, but quite a few people keep them – some for their wool. Alpacas are also imported. I’m not sure of the difference between the two – perhaps size.
I am none the wiser here. The only llamas I have ever seen materialised in the popular series called Tintin, perhaps in the comic-book called ‘Prisioners of The Sun’. I could be mistaken, but that was way back in the 1980s. Now I’d be damned if they were alpacas!
🙂
Each of those faces you captured are so intriguing and beautiful!
I always love seeing birds lined up in different places…like they are having a family reunion or a meeting or something. Ha. 😀
Sounds like a wonderful day and evening…and meal! 🙂
Again, Happy Birthday to Becky! 🙂
HUGS!!! 🙂
Very many thanks, Carolyn X
I just love how you are surrounded by an entire menagerie – great photos of a seemingly idyllic place.
Thanks very much, Anna. It is rather unique
I’m often amazed by how many interesting things you see in a single day’s drive. Either you live in a place with many noteworthy elements or you have an especially sharp eye for noticing your surroundings. Beautiful pheasant and swans, and I loved the cow’s eyelashes.
Very many thanks, Nicki. I do look hard for subjects, but we do live in such a place. It’s pretty much luck what is out there, and yesterday was quite a bumper day. We also saw sheep in a field 🙂
Nice country scenes as always Derrick!
Thanks very much, Arlene
I might be a bit biased, but the cow is my favourite.
She did rather steal the show
Animals (cow and horse), swans along with cyclists cycling on the sloppy road seem just outstanding in a unique setting are treat to the eyes. Just beautiful. Thanks for sharing Derrick sahib. Regards
Very many thanks, Harbans
My pleasure sir.
Beautiful set of photos – it’s definitely turning isn’t it.
It is, Quercus. Many thanks
Wonderful derrick! I love seeing the ponies and cows! The blackberries are lovely
Thanks very much, Lynn
A pleasant, wonderful drive! Thanks for sharing, Derrick.
Thanks very much, Amy