This afternoon our drive began at Keyhaven.
From the hill above the village we had a clear view across The Solent to the Isle of Wight. The mainland buildings are in the foreground. A solitary yacht passes the island.
At the bottom of the slope a field of black sheep introduced their very young lambs to life. Just two of the offspring were white.
A young cock pheasant face-off was under way at East End. Quite suddenly the more timid of the two turned and disappeared into the moorland,
leaving the victor to strut his stuff.
Casper, at East Boldre, enjoyed his own observation grill.
This evening we dined on Tesco’s finest fish pie; Jackie’s even finer piquant cauliflower cheese; crunchy carrots; tender peas and green beans. We both drank New Zealand’s The Quintet 2017.
Casper looks a stunner. Beautiful photos.
Many thanks, Gary. What was interesting about Casper was that he silently observed – no mad dog barking
Great pics Derrick, and it looks like you had a lovely trip!
We did, Agnes. Thank you very much
Ah, Springtime: bluish skies, stunning water views, newborn lambs, strutting youth…. and only poor Casper confined to quarters!
🙂 Many thanks, Pauline
Right? Now I’m worried about Casper. I hope he gets out and loved.
I’ll try to find out
Behind the gate, Caspar had at least three acres to run about in! It is one of the larger estates in the New Forest! Don’t feel sad for him, it is a sign of the owners concern that the peephole had been cut into the (very expensive ) gate so he could watch the world.Perhaps a shot of the enormous double gates to the property would have put it in perspective!
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Thanks for the extra info Jackie… mind rested! 😉
We have our own ‘Caspar’ (named ‘Bear’) next door to us, usually left with his darker friend and otherwise on their own in a 20 x 15 yard for most of the day (and night). They only get to see what they can that is over a 6ft solid fence 🙁
Recently Bear went of his nut barking. It went on for 15 minutes solid so i went to see who was robbing his house. Turns out that a man was adjusting an antenna on a roof 3 houses away that he could see from standing on the back verandah! The man was clearly no threat but the Bear did NOT like him The man stayed for 45 minutes and bear was warning him off consistently.
A week later bear was barking again. Sure enough the man had clearly not got the right antenna the first time and was replacing it.
Thanks again, Bob
Thanks for this. I was concentrating on the dog, not what was behind the gate. X
Aah, good to know! Suddenly ‘Poor Casper’ becomes ‘Lucky Casper’ 🙂
Oh, awesome, Jackie! I had no idea what was going on behind that little face in the fence. Thank you for the update. My trust in humanity has been shaken of late and I am a bit suspicious. Feeling better. 🙂
🙂
Gorgeous photos, Derrick! Several of the scenic shots would make great jigsaw puzzles.
They would indeed, Jill. Probably quite difficult. Thanks very much
Lovely photos. I like those black sheep. Poor Casper does not look too happy. I hope he gets a good run.
Thanks very much, Merril. I hope he does, too
Lovely photos – love that one with the sail boat! 🙂
Thanks very much, M. B. That was almost an afterthought
The pheasant looks very cock-a-hoop. What a picturesque drive you had with lots of livestock lining your route.
Thanks very much, Sylvia
I’m still upset about Casper. That photo made me sad. Perhaps he’s the happiest dog in the world and I’d like to hear that he is.
I think of myself as a country girl, but I couldn’t even tell what those first lovely animals were. I thought the babies looked like calves. But then I hear they are sheep. And mostly black sheep at that! We have a different looking sheep around here.
If we see him again I’ll try to check on Casper. The sheep do look a bit like cattle, Jodie. Thanks very much.
Behind the gate, Caspar had at least three acres to run about in! It is one of the larger estates in the New Forest! Don’t feel sad for him, it is a sign of the owners concern that the peephole had been cut into the (very expensive ) gate so he could watch the world.
Those look like serious sheep. Pheasants seem very keen to have a go at each other when you think that they should learn to combine and attack the people shooting at them.
🙂 Thanks very much, Tootlepedal
Sounds like a close to perfect day … good shots 🙂
Thanks very much, Kate
welcome Derrick
That was a great drive beneath clear skies with sheep and pheasants celebrating the day under the brooding gaze of Casper.
Nicely summed up, Uma. Thanks very much
What a wonderful time! Such beautiful scenery! 🙂
I’m so excited…those lambs (such cuties!) and the pheasants! (relatives of Lucky?!)
Oh, and Casper is handsome! I hope he got out to run around! 🙂
HUGS!!! 🙂
Thanks very much, Carolyn. The pheasants could be related to Lucky (I’m impressed that you remembered his name) X
You’re welcome!
My mind is pretty sharp…always goofy, but sharp! 😉 😛
🙂
Thank you so much for taking us with you on your routine tours Derrick.
Your neighbourhood is so quite but full of life.
Those black sheeps look quite large 🙂
Thanks very much, Rupali. I appreciate your presence
I guess if you were brave you could swim to the Isle of Wight.
I guess so, but the currents are said to be difficult. Thanks very much, Helen
It’s certainly not a sw
continued…. swim I would entertain!
I can tell you, those tides are vicious. There is the phenomenon of two high and two low to the normal one. With a good breeze blowing and a bubbling wake, I found myself going backwards on a windsurfer, once. And, sailing to Cowes, I had to aim the yacht at right-angles to the apparent course or be swept past.
Thanks a lot, Leslie. That really confirms it from one who knows
That sounds difficult.
Excellent photos again Sir! I love the lambs. 🙂
The pheasant also looks particularly resplendent, not to mention a little proud of himself, perhaps? 😉
Certainly. Thanks a lot, Bob
The lambs prove it – Springtime has arrived!
Lovely!
Thanks very much, Arlene
What a lovely day out you both had! The pheasant stand-off is a nice catch, too.
Thank you very much, Lavinia
Beautiful birds.
Thanks very much, Laleh
My pleasure.
Nice one
Thank you very much, yaasotaa
Casper looks like an inmate!
Lambs! Thanks for sharing these, spring has really come
That shot of the pheasant is gorgeous
Thanks very much, Drew
You’re most welcome, Derrick 😊
Young males of all species seem to have that in common. 🙂 … beautiful shot of the yacht. 🙂
Thanks very much, Widders
How lovely. Every trip a scenic delight.
I am waiting to see if you ever stray to our (daughter’s) home territory near Romsey.
Many thanks. You may have missed this one, Leslie https://derrickjknight.com/2018/01/10/please-tell-me-im-not-going-mad/
Nice capture of the pheasants. I appreciated seeing the Isle of Wight across the water, and had to look it up on a map to imagine myself where you were and which direction you were looking. 🙂 I think it’s funny that so many people are worried about the dog. You both are so kind to reassure everyone.
Very many thanks, Crystal
Seems like a perfect day out. Casper looks like he has been imprisoned.
He does, but actually he has a good area in which to run. Thanks very much, LL/PS