Our weather is predicted to turn much milder overnight. We can expect some days of warmer temperatures and overcast skies. Today continued cold and bright. A drive into the forest was therefore in order.
Snow lingered on the landscape on either side of Holmsley Passage,
where an unfortunate young biker had landed in a ditch. Another biker and a couple from a car had stopped to render assistance, which, given that I was unable to leave the car, was fortunate.
The banks of this pool on the road to the right of the passage were also dusted with sugar icing.
The New Forest ponies are a tough breed and seem oblivious to the hardened terrain as they carry on grazing regardless.
This evening we dined on spicy pizza and plentiful fresh salad.
We finally have the promise (or threat) of snow! If it does snow, it will be the first in at least four years. I’m not looking forward to it, beautiful though it might be!
May it be short-lived. Thanks very much, Diane
The ponies must be pleased that the ground will soften.
It looks chilly despite just a little snow. Poor biker, I hope he/she was undamaged. Your tree and pool shots are beautiful.
Thanks very much, Pauline. The biker looked fit enough as he tried to pull out his bike
Winter continues here for at least another six weeks if not longer. Enjoy the warmth coming your way.
Thanks very much, Carol
Beautiful photos! I especially love the tree photos! 🙂
I hope the biker was okay.
When the pizza is spicy and the salad is plentiful…that’s a great day! 🙂
We are having a rainy day and they have predicted rain and/or snow the next few days.
HUGS!!! 🙂
Many thanks, Caroline. The biker looked fine as he tried to pull out his steed. Rain for us, too. X
Beautiful pictures. We still have a little snow left here on the hills of Yorkshire. A few minutes down the hill and the snow has gone!
Pleased to learn your snow is departing too. Thanks very much, Sue
Looks like the frozen tundra, Derrick. Beautiful photos…love the ponies!
Many thanks, Jill
Are those ponies not susceptible to the cold Derrick?
They don’t seem to be. They tolerate all weathers, having evolved over thousands of years in the environment. Their coats are longer in winter. Thanks very much, Arlene
It looks like the ponies are rather enjoying the last snow, Derrick.
🙂 Thanks very much, Dolly
My pleasure, Derrick
Love those amazing trees by the pond! We have not had snow this year in the NW–yet, anyway! But much of the Midwest and East coast are horrifically cold, below zero by too many degrees. Glad it is warming up there.
Thanks very much, Cynthia. I hope it doesn’t get so very cold for you
Ir snowed yesterday, now mostly gone. Just took an hour walk in 29 degrees F–was lovely.
🙂
You have made the best use of light and the remnant of snow. Ponies have been shot at the most fetching angles. The biker is surely fortunate to be immortalised in your post.
Thank very much, Uma. It would be good to think he might read it 🙂
Nothing like seeing the snow melt and warmer spring-like weather come in!
I have heard as few Pacific chorus frogs the last few nights, but tonight there was a symphony.
That is quite an amazing sound, I would think. Thanks very much, Lavinia
Glad to here it’ll be mild very soon there. We’re currently in the deep grip of a polar Vortex. It covers most of the country and the temps are in-humane. -31 tonight, but with a wind they’re calling it -41. We just stay indoors, so how nice to see scenes of your outing. The forest ponies look really hairy ! They’ll stay warm. You’re scenes look like early May here. It really amazes me that after centuries of occupation, it’s still so very rural, I love that! xB
Many thanks, B. We see your weather on our TV. It looks unbearable. I hope it improves s.a.p.
It’s probably not worth the risk of a slip on icy ground to get out of the car for your photos, so i hope the snow and frost soon disappear to allow you a little more freedom and exercise on your photographic outings.
Beautiful photo’s as usual Derrick. You framed the road and pond with the snowy banks perfectly. An absolute gem. 🙂
Very many thanks, Bob. Actually I couldn’t walk on the rough terrain at all yet. In fact it is intriguing photographing from the car seat
The open car door window should give you a nice steady support for the telephoto shots! 🙂 🙂
🙂
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0F1Vbwt60qk
Have a nice week!!!
Many thanks, Efi
Ah, the ponies. For the last few weeks I have not been able to read your posts on my phone. WP simply shuts down every time I click on a photo, sometimes even when I just open your posts. So annoying. I’m so seldom on my laptop at home in the evening (screen fatigue I think, from being on it all day at work) that I’ve been missing all your stories and photos. All to say, the ponies always make me smile.
What a pain. Thanks very much for persevering Susanne
I am enjoying your blog so much! Your photography is wonderful. It gives me a glimpse into your part of the world … different in many ways, but also similar in some ways to life here in Montana. The pony photos with the back lighting are beautiful. I also like the picture of the landscape on either side of Holmsley Passage. Lovely! Thanks for sharing. Your following is growing. I am impressed with the number of responses you get. I wish that many folks wrote responses on my blog!
Many thanks, Jan. Much appreciated. A following takes time
Yes, the time you take to acknowledge your following is part of what keeps them with you. Congratulations! I hope you feel it is time well spent!
I do indeed. Friendships I could never have imagined develop
What beautiful photos, Derrick. Even in winter, it’s a lovely place for a drive. We just got our first dusting of snow, but spring is on its way. 🙂
Thanks very much, Diana
The snow did not last very long in your house, but she is so beautiful to see.
here in Paris we had two snowy episodes that also did not last very long
I salve the menu you had (I love pizza)
Many thanks, Yoshimi. Be well
The weather nowadays is pretty strange and playing games with us. Last Thursday we had -20C and today is +15C. The question is what season is outside right now? Confusions!
Yes, indeed, Alexander. Now you can get your Christmas lights in 🙂 Thanks very much
I wonder if the pony’s hooves feel the cold?
A good question, Widders. Thanks very much
Hope it starts warming up in your neck of the woods Derrick. It 80 farenheit here and sunny. I a sitting outside now basking in the sunshine with the air conditioner on inside!
Thanks a lot, Gary. We are up to 10c today
Lovely colours round the pool.
Thanks very much, Helen
Those ponies need to be tough, having to put up with all the crazy shutterbugs wanting to catch them on film, or disk
Home made pizza or home delivery?
I’ve been told to make pizzas tomorrow.
Supermarket pizzas with added toppings. Many thanks, Brian