This cloudless, sunny, day remained quite cool (13c tops). We took a drive into the forest this afternoon.
Holmesley Passage benefited from the sunlight streaming through the trees. The two vehicles in these pictures demonstrate how narrow is this lane.
Each of the above motors is approaching one of the two fords that cross the passage.
The woodland scenes that border the lane include a number of fallen tress making their contribution to the local ecology.
As we reached the lowest point of this passage across the moors, a pair of hopeful ponies thudded across the turf.
The splendid oak tree on the descent into Burley towards the Queen’s Head is coming into leaf
Today, hungry donkeys seemed to outnumber the ponies at North Gorley, where a 2017 finisher took his eager dog for a run.
While photographing horses in the landscape rising to Gorley Common, I noticed
a horse and trap approaching. After I had taken the last shot the friendly driver doffed his cap.
This stream with its reflections was one of many we passed.
Jackie’s meals are all very good. Occasionally, as with tonight’s delicious chicken jalfrezi, she excels herself and produces something that would make any self-respecting chef from the Indian sub-continent sit up and take notice. Her savoury rice was equally praiseworthy and was accompanied by vegetable samosas and a paratha. The Culinary Queen drank more of the Sauvignon Blanc and I drank more of the Carménere.
outstanding post derrick
Thanks very much, Obaid
you desrve
Lovely pictures
Thanks very much, Mrs W
Your welcome
Spring is certainly busting out all over! And I especially like seeing the people using the horse and buggy (as we call it). It adds character to the countryside!
We do see a lot of horse-drawn carriages
That is, indeed, a lovely part of the world with lovely things taking place in it.
Thanks very much, Leslie
Hard to imagine Jackie excelling her already splendid meals – shows life in that spanking new kitchen is going very well! Loved seeing the happy children in the cart – such a good life!
Thanks Pauline!!
<3
Thanks very much, Pauline
So many gorgeous photos, Derrick. I particularly liked the one with the beautiful oak tree. That would make a nice jigsaw puzzle. 🙂
I liked that photo, as well. That would be a GREAT jigsaw puzzle; just think how hard the parts with the sky & tree would be! It just occurred to me – I wonder if jigsaw puzzle is named because it looks like it was cut with a jigsaw? I never thought about the name before.
I’m with you on the name, Jodie
Wonderful as always. I wish you and Jackie ran a bed and breakfast (or bread and dinner). I’d reserve a room with a garden view and sip wine while dining on one of Jackie’s excellent meals. Maybe you could teach a class on photography and Jackie could teach one on gardening. You’d be rich! Rich, I tell you! ?
Nice.
🙂
Many thanks, Leslie. We do have a bedroom dubbed The Garden Room. You would be very welcome
Sounds like heaven.
Love the ponies and the donkeys – especially the brown one with the blonde hair. Derrick, what are moors? I only know them from Heathcliff and Catherine’s story, and I picture them as fields with hills. Is there a certain vegetation required? I have made a vow – I will try to make chicken jalfrezi. And soon.
Uncultivated hill-land with low lying vegetation – here mostly heather and gorse. As I type Jackie is posting you a link. Do report on the jalfrezi. Thanks very much, Jodie.
Moorland nowadays generally means uncultivated hill land, but includes low-lying wetlands, The soil is generally acidic, here they are the areas of the New Forest that have long gone, to build Henry the VIII ships! the vegetation is mainly Gorse and Heathers.
Oh, wow – thank you both, so much, for the wonderful replies. I can picture them perfectly, now.
I’m always a bit worried about the idea of crossing a ford. The first donkey picture is a classic – thanks for the smile!
Thanks very much, Susan. About three years ago Jackie avoided one very deep one
Here comes spring! Looking pretty green over there 🙂
Thanks very much, M.B.
Beautiful scenes, a lovely day and a doffed cap….who could ask for anything more?
Thanks a lot, Tootlepedal
Such beautiful trees Derrick, excellent shots. Cheers!
Thanks very much, Agnes
I really love this post. You capture the real world so well.
Very many thanks, Gary
Looks like a beautiful day for a drive! Love the photos!
Thanks very much, Lisa. It was
It’s not often I see a doffed cap! Such old fashioned courtesy. I love the photos of the sparkling water in the ford.
Thanks very much, Clare
The dappled lanes beckon the grimy soul of this city mouse. The man in the pink reminds me how I want to be as free as his border collie (or whatever breed, Jackie to correct me, please). What with the intermittent aroma and photographic glimpses of complex subcontinental dishes, I doff my cap to Jackie. She will surely send many of the better cooks out here scurrying for cover.
Very many thanks, Uma. I think the dog was a spaniel
The first time I arrived in England the temp was 13’c. My friend commented “the weather has been foul but it’s really turned on a gorgeous day for you”. “Yes,” I replied, through chattering teeth.
Great photos as usual. Love all the vignettes of daily life in your part of the world.
Many thanks, Gwen. Your story of our temp was funny 🙂
A deligtful tour Derrick.
Oh, and what a nice hat to doff! I enjoying seeing men in hats! 🙂
You know I love seeing the donkeys and ponies, the lanes sheltered by trees holding hands, and the reflections in water! 🙂
OH! Your descriptions of Jackie’s wonderful meals always make me hungry! I shall doff my hat to her and give a bow in her honor!
Here’s my hat: ? And this is me bowing: ?♀️
I’d curtsy, but I might not make it back up! 😮
HUGS to both of you!!! 🙂
Very many thanks, Carolyn. The curtsey made me laugh; and I liked the trees holding hands
Another wonderful day for you and Jackie! Great photo shots
Thanks very much, Gary
Such splendid photos. I particularly like the ones at the top of the trees with the sun streaming through creating shadows and the sun shining on the rippling water.
Jackie is a Culinary Queen indeed!
Very many thanks, Merril
That forest has an enchanted look—beautiful, mysterious, and a little eerie. As for Jackie and her cooking…I raise my glass to her.
Very many thanks, Laurie
Another glorious ramble enjoyed vicariously via your blog! Love the shots of the rippling brook. 🙂 Thanks again, Derrick.
Jackie’s Jalfrezi has me drooling now.
(Expecting a minimum of 17C here tonight!)
High temp today 11c
It’s been a while since I’ve heard the word doff. I looked up the origins. It is middle English and is a shortening of do off. Don is do on. 🙂
Many thanks for that etymology, Sherry.
Sounds like a perfect day in every way ?
Many thanks, Melanie
That was a fun ride, thanks, Derrick! The characteristics of people/places you “shoot” are often warm and comforting.
Thank you very much, Cynthia
Great praise to the Mistress Chef! 😀
Many thanks, Widders
and I dips me lid….
🙂 Thanks a lot, Brian. I’ll remember that one