Wrecking The Shrubbery

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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.

 

 

53 comments

  1. 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!!

  2. 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! 🙂

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

    1. 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.

      1. 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!

  5. 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!!! 🙂

  6. 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.

    1. 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 🙂

  7. 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

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