Jackie and I went for a drive in the forest this morning, while Elizabeth took it easy at home. Once again we were fortunate to have ventured out during the short spell of sunshine we were to experience today.
Even as noon approached shadows were long on the approach to Wilverley Plain.
The deciduous oaks still bear most of their golden foliage,
some of which, having floated down on the breeze. glowed among damp grasses rapidly
becoming waterlogged in parts, reflecting surrounding trees and skies.
The large pond beside the telephone box just outside Brockenhurst has been bone dry all summer. It has now filled up again, mirroring gnarled naked arboreal displays and nearby homes.
Three russet ponies kept down the grass near the local postbox propped up by a slightly slanting pedestal.
The two apparently sharing a patch of sward were not as close as it might appear. The darker haired individual, which momentarily lifted its head as I lifted my camera,
firmly nudged the other with its albeit velvety muzzle, indicating it should keep its distance. This was definitely not foreplay.
Having worked up a thirst they crossed the gravel drive to the houses, passed the telephone box, and fleetingly slaked their thirst.
Quite suddenly they turned away and wandered back into the forest.
At the entrance to the village we were held up by teaching staff shepherding a crocodile of children across the road.
We enjoyed an excellent lunch at Holmsley Old Station Tea Rooms. My meal consisted of a well-filled steak and ale pie containing slivers of rosemary, served with chips, fresh vegetables and tasty gravy; Jackie’s was a jacket potato with cheese and coleslaw accompanied by an excellent salad. She drank coffee and I drank sparkling water.
We thought it best to wait for an equestrienne struggling to contain a skittish trotting pony, mane flying, to emerge from Thatchers Lane before we entered that narrow track on our way home.
Later this afternoon Elizabeth returned to Pilley for further work on moving in. On her way back this evening she collected our dinner of cod and chips from Mr Pink’s. My sister and I finished the Cotes du Rhone and Jackie drank Hoegaarden.
A lovely post filled with your wonderful photos and prose. The tree reflected in the water is wonderful, and of course, so are the horse photos.
A crocodile of children? I hope they don’t meet a murder of crows. 🙂
Ha! 😀
I learned recently that a group butterflies is called a Flutter…I like that!
I taught children for many years…I think a group of children might be called a Chaos of Children! 😉 😛
Or a Chatter? 🙂
Ha! That’s a good one! 🙂
🙂
seeing so much water reminds me of the (much hated) cross country runs through those acres around Brock. It wasn’t cross country per se but more that they only took place when the playing fields were waterlogged – which back in the early 70s seemed to be most years. Thanks for another wander through the memory banks
Thanks a lot, Geoff. We had cross country on Wimbledon Common when grounds unfit for rugby. I managed to get out of it all but once
Now there’s a skill I never mastered.
🙂
“A crocodile 🐊 of children” love that, Derrick! Gorgeous photos!
Many thanks, Jill
Lovely photos. And a crocodile of children? — hmmm.
Thanks very much, Cynthia. From Collins English dictionary: ‘A crocodile is a large reptile with a long body and strong jaws. Crocodiles live in rivers and eat meat. A crocodile of people, especially school children, or vehicles is a long line of them, moving together. The children walk in crocodiles from the schoolhouse to the dining-room for lunch.’
Such beautiful reflections in the ponds… The trees look truly magical.
x
Thanks very much, Melanie. An hour later that would have been magicked away as the clouds rolled in
You were in the right location at the perfect time.
😊
🙂
For a moment there I thought one of our Florida alligators made its way to your forest…
I still love your reflection photos the most, Derrick, but the rest of them are equally evocative.
Thanks very much, Dolly. It might have been an alligator – I don’t know the difference 🙂
Crocodiles have a pointed nose, while alligators have a rounded one. We do see them slowly making their way across highways once in a while.
Thanks again
My pleasure
The reflected tree trunk with a foot that looks akin to an elephants is quite the most eye catching of today’s collection for me Derrick. It’s a fabulous picture!! I see not all the world refers to a line of single file hand holding children as a ‘crocodile’. But it’s the nearest thing we have so will have to do for us poor deprived croc and alligator-less folk 🙂
I think I’ve heard of a ‘crocodile’ before – probably from Derrick. I knew just what he meant. I do so love these little differences in our language. And – YES ! Pauline That elephant -foot tree got me, too.
I did use it on an earlier post, Jodie 🙂
I tell everyone I’m tri-lingual now. I spoke English and Kiwi already and in recent years have added in American 🙂
🙂
Very many thanks, Pauline. Much appreciated X
We Americans are an odd lot, Pauline.
Yet many of your words are those we once used – where you haven’t had the historic ones, e.g. car parts, and have had to use your own are perhaps fascinating. Then there are pants and vests 🙂
All the ones I know are lovely Jodie – that includes you xo
What gorgeous light you captured, Derrick. That tree! and the pony with flying mane looks like a mythical creature in disguise.
Thanks very much, Lisa. A nice description of the pony. Because it was being so difficult I think it was recently ‘backed’ New Forest Pony. That is the term for breaking in a horse. The ponies don’t like it.
Well, when they get to wander around doing whatever they want, the alternative would be unattractive.
🙂
Nice way to start the morning.
Thanks very much, Arlene
Those are priceless images, of those the reflections are all keepers. The houses and gnarled trees reflected in the shallow pool took me down the swards of countryside that now exist only in memories.
Thanks very much, Uma. Perspicacious as ever
Stunning photos, Derrick. I wonder if we have alligator crossings here In Florida? 😃🐊
Many thanks, Sylvia 🙂
Cheeky title for a post—I was almost a believer, but luckily realized that where there are ponies and children, there most likely are no crocodiles! Thank you for the gorgeous pics of the horses—always my favorite!
Many thanks, Diane. I used the term in an earlier post – a few people had to look it up, so I thought I’d give it another airing 🙂
the reflection of this bare tree in the water makes it really impressive!
I wish you could tell me, the photograph below the reflection of this tree … what are the graves that we see?
Thanks very much, Yoshimi. I can see why you thought there were gravestones in the next picture, but actually they are wooden posts put in as markers for the path – no street lighting
thank you for explanations. I thought it could have been the graves of the ponies found on a dead day.
Reasonable enough thought
Lovely, peaceful nature photos! And fun horsey and crocodile photos!
HA! From your title, I was expecting to see an actual croc crossin’ a road! And maybe a sign that showed the outline of a man with a croc chasing him! And maybe the sign saying, “Croc Crossing…all others will eaten”! 😮
I taught Kindergarten for eons and we had fun herding the kids on field trips and while crossing roads, etc. Of course it was easiest if they all had the same color shirt on and if they held hands in a line, like in your photos. 🙂
HUGS!!! 🙂
Thanks very much, Carolyn. I’ll bet your charges had fun 🙂 X
We did have a lot of fun! 🙂
I like the reflection picture best of all.
Yesterday we had a very sharp frost so we wait to see what damage it did to the blooms that were clinging on to the memories of Summer.
Thanks a lot, Andrew. No frost here yet
Beautiful images Derrick.
Many thanks, Rupali
Calling a line of children a crocodile is a new one on me. 🐊
🙂 Thanks very much, Sherry
Another pleasant day for you and the family. (and horses!!) 🙂
Thanks very much, GP
Horses and children and trees. Oh, my!
🙂 Many thanks, Laurie
I like all the pics but the horse ones here were extra good
Thanks very much, Yvette
🌸🌸🌸🌸💙
Hello Derrick, I’ve just been looking over so many of your post which I have missed lately, I have not been on WordPress due to the fact that I am giving most of my time to study…But I must congratulate you on your most beautiful photography (and of course writing too), Your pictures of trees are among my favourites, just loving them – the colours – the reflections in the water…all of them. I’ll be back to normal in the new year. Cheers!
Very many thanks, Agnes
A beautiful forest drive day, Derrick and Jackie. I love that ghostly tree with the large base reflecting in the water. The ponies are photogenic as always.
Thank you very much, Lavinia
Derrick, You had me stumped for a moment. When I saw thw word crocodiles, I was asking myself does England have them?
Loved the photos of the tree branches against the water.
Thanks very much, Gary. I like your reaction 🙂
Well, you threw me off, as well, with the word crocodile. Some unfortunate gent in Florida just recently lost his shoe to either a croc or gator. He’s lucky to be alive. Love the photos of the ponies.
Thanks very much, Eugenia. I’m told it is more likely to have been a gator
Yes, it was. Both are scary creatures.
Looking for crocodiles, I thought I saw one in your photo of the water by the glowing damp grasses. Two photos down, the reflection of that gnarly tree is magnificent! And of course, the ponies are always a joy to behold.
Very many thanks, JoAnna
Wonderful images here Derrick! Truly a special part of the world!
“This royal throne of kings, this sceptred isle,
This earth of majesty, this seat of Mars,
This other Eden, demi-paradise,
This fortress built by Nature for herself …
… the envy of less happier lands,
This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England.” Richard 11 Act 2 Sc 1.
I particularly like your reflections.
Hope everything goes well for your Mum. 🙂
Thanks very much, Bob. We are most fortunate to spend our retirement here
Lovely images of all the reflections. Trees, houses, and ponies all mirrored so perfectly.
Thank you very much, Elizabeth
The pony’s mane and the reflected tree … giants among a myriad excellent photos. 😀
Many thanks, Widders. I was quite pleased with that shot through the windscreen
The mane of that horse running, wow what an excellent capture!
Thanks very much, Lisa
Great reflection of that tree. Excellent photo.
Does that telephone box still operate? The English phone boxes are as synonymous as the double decker buses and the London Bobby’s helmet, as is the evening meal from Mr Pink’s
Thanks a lot, Brian. That is one of the few local telephone boxes that still seems to work. Most are in disrepair now and sold off to local groups for pennies; then converted to such as book exchanges, ATMs, and defribrillators.
It’s all wrong Derrick; things going from bad to worse in the old Dart
There is no competition for the magic mobile