Our afternoon drive into the forest took us through Bull Hill.
Although certainly not tortoises, groups of serious walkers we watched from
Furzey Lane leading to Furzey Lodge, carried their temporary homes on their backs. Some of these were passed by cyclists,
more groups of whom wheeled along Cripple Gate Lane, where,
bluebells, ferns, ivy, and other wild plants cluster around the roots of oaks now spreading parasols overhead.
It is best to try to ignore cans lobbed from passing cars and fly-tipped larger containers possibly decanted from small vans.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s superb savoury rice with a rack of pork ribs in barbecue sauce and small spring rolls. The Culinary Queen drank Hoegaarden, while I drank Moravista Merlot Bonarda 2018.
You always have such scenic rides.Always something new to see and explore.
Thanks very much, Gary
Thanks for taking me along on the ride! I loved it.
Thanks very much, Ronnie
Isn’t that litter on the highways enough to drive batty?! My last trip to the Florida Keys there was this little hidden beach behind some sea grape bushes. I walked around expecting the clear aqua water reaching a small white-sandy beach and low and behold I was greeted by soda cans, a baby diaper and papers scraps. I was disgusted!
Indeed, GP. What amazes me is why people with those attitudes even go to beautiful places. Thanks very much
I can’t help but make strong judgements about people who feel okay about tossing their trash onto public highways and byways – and of course the people who don’t clean up after their dogs……….
Yep. Thanks very much, Pauline
What a lovely start to your outing, Derrick. Cripple Gate Lane looks beautiful. Do you know how it got its name? Litter bugs stink!
Thanks very much, Jill. I don’t know about the name. Unfortunately the bugs are everywhere
Not a fan of the bugs!
It is always annoying, to say the least, to catch a glimpse of tantalising colour among the undergrowth and find out that it is litter. Those walkers were working hard.
They were really loaded up, Tootlepedal. Many of our lanes have fly tipping. I think I’ll start featuring it. Thanks very much
I like the big picture of ferns and bluebells – pretty!
Many thanks, BCM
Looks like your neighbors were out enjoying a nice day.
Thanks very much, Mrs W. Mostly visitors
Cool
This meal looks delicious!! Beautiful walk today.
Thanks very much, Judy
The Bank Holiday weekend brings everyone out to enjoy our scenic lanes and villages, such a pity about the cooler weather, well up here in the north anyway.
9 degrees here, Sue. Thanks very much
I can’t believe that people can come to somewhere as beautiful as that forest and throw rubbish into it. It really is an outrageous thing to do.
I agree entirely, John. Why come here if you have no soul for it? Thanks very much
So nice to see the bluebells out in force. 🙂
Glad to see your appetite has returned!
Thanks a lot, Bob
That does look tasty food. Hungry now. We are starting to get more walkers now. They are still dressed for winter.
Still pretty cold here, despite the sunshine
It is wonderful to see people enjoying the forests and byways and the open air. But do they stop and look and see the flowers and ferns and all that you see as you plod slowly one step at a time. I know I am happy to be a plodder these days. There is so much to see in the detail.
Those walkers look very serious. Some kind of school group or club?
The woods are beautiful, but the litter is sad to see.
Yesterday I was thinking about all the horses and other animals you see on your local roads. We saw a couple leading a horse down a side street in Philadelphia. It was a street with dumpsters–certainly not as picturesque as the scenes you photograph. 🙂
Thanks very much, Merril. The walkers are mostly visitors to the area. We are lucky with our surroundings
Bluebells in the woods are one of my favorite memories. Ribs come a close second! Thanks Derrick ?
🙂 Thanks very much, Val
Thank you for the walk Derrick.. the bluebells near us this year have been beautiful too.. And loved that avenue of trees.. 🙂 Enjoy your Bank Holiday 🙂
You, too, Sue. Thanks very much
I love English bluebells. I have fond memories of walking through fields of them in the woods as a child. Filtered sun, brilliant blue and peace.
Nice description, Sherry. Thanks very much
Tortoises—an apt name for the cyclists with their packs on their backs! Thanks for another picturesque tour. The trash by the side of the road is a bit jarring, though. When will people learn that’s not okay?
Thanks very much, Diane. I’m pleased you got the tortoises 🙂
I love bluebells. They look like skies have washed onto Earth
A true poet’s comment. Many thanks, Geetha
Welcome and many thanks Derrick!
Looks like a lovely drive, Derrick, except for the litter, of course…
Thanks very much, Julie
What a beautiful day for everyone to be out and about enjoying it!
I love how the bluebells carpet the ground in beauty!
It looks like the tortoises came prepared for anything. 🙂 They look young and able to tote a lot of stuff on their backs! 🙂
It’s sad to see how people treat the earth and just throw their used or unwanted stuff out on the ground. 🙁 🙁 🙁
HUGS to you and Jackie!!! 🙂
Thank you very much, Carolyn X
The metaphor of tortoises is apt. Charming images as ever.
Many thanks, Uma. I’m pleased you liked the metaphor
Such large backpacks! We used to go camping in the summer. And I’ve done a fair amount of hiking. But I’ve never desired to go backpacking and carry my home on my back. It looks very tiring for people like me with only normal strength. The shady lane looks most pleasant.
Thank you very much, Nicki. I used to run nine miles to work with a light back pack carrying my working clothes
Wow! I’ve never been that athletic. From an early age, I was told (in an uncomplimentary fashion) that I run like a girl.
Ferns and flowers are a winning combination. Phooey to litterbugs!
Thanks very much, Laurie.
Damned if I know how anyone can enjoy themselves toting those great bulky bags on their backs
or sleeping in tests if you ask me. Thanks a lot, Brian
Never tried sleeping in a test, I imagine it would be pretty difficult as well as damned uncomfortable.
🙂