The clouds today were largely overcast, although rain did not set in until we were returning from our trip. This was firstly to Lyndhurst where we brunched at the eponymous Tea House. From our window seat we watched
a variety of visitors such as these older women seated on a bench with a view of younger mothers and their babies on the other side of the road.
Jackie’s choice of meal was Croque Madame;
mine being ham, egg, and chips.
Afterwards we continued our drive in the forest.
At Balmer Lawn I photographed a group watching Highland Water, then a foal grazing with its mother. When the youngster wandered away Jackie pictured it from the car. Bigifying the first of her pictures reveals the little wagtail it was following.
Along the gravelled Tiley Road a string of horse riders pulled over so we could pass. We didn’t. We stopped at the car park to watch more ponies and foals on the landscape.
When we moved on a crocodile of schoolchildren, presumably on a field trip, were shepherded along the road.
Yachts sailed past a gloomy Isle of Wight. The Needles, Hurst Castle and their lighthouses were, however, quite well lit.
As I focussed out to sea a crunching of the shingle behind me alerted me to a group of donkeys purposefully making their way onto the seaweed laden dry low tide bed.
One of their number paused for a scratch on the rubbish bin, while the others dined on seaweed salad. These creatures clearly carried their own internal tide table.
All those readers who were concerned for the safety of the three ducks seen on South Baddesley Road “In A Flap” may relax. They occupied it again today.
This evening we dined on pepperoni pizza with extra cheese topping, and plentiful fresh salad with Helman’s Mayonnaise or Tesco’s French dressing, according to taste. Jackie drank Blue Moon and I drank more of the Pomerol.
Your days seems filled with great food and wonderful sights! So many great photos, but for some reason, that final one of the three ducks catches my eye the most.
Thanks very much, Merril. My favourite, too
Great minds. 🙂
🙂
Derrick’, You are always so observant on everything around you when you two travel. Such a wonderful countryside.
Thanks very much, Gary.
Sounds like you encountered an equal number of people and animals!
Often the way, BCM. Thanks very much
It looked warm and pleasant this morning with lots to see out of the Tea House window. The warmest it has been here today was 12 degrees Centigrade – with lots of rain. I was glad to see the ducks again and interested to see the donkeys eating their greens.
Thanks very much, Clare.
Love the photos, especially the donkeys. However, my stomach is now growling because of the food pics, and your always luscious descriptions of dinner. Off to find food! 😉
Enjoy, Dorinda. Many thanks
Always a pleasure, Derrick. 🙂
The food has definitely caught my attention. Must be time to eat.
🙂 Thanks very much, Sylvie
🙂
I love how you and Jackie make the every day events of your lives seem idyllic.
Thanks very much, Leslie
Your day started out with a great meal and it seemed to get better and better. Wonderful photos, Derrick. I didn’t know you ate chips for breakfast…I like that! 🙂
Thanks very much, Jill. So do I 🙂
Glad to read the ducks are in flapping good form. Brunch looks oh-so-delicious! Never saw a donkey dine on seaweed.
Thanks very much, Laurie. Apparently it is used in meal for them. Very nutritious.
Yay for the ducks! 😁 I particularly like the black one. I’ve never seen a black duck before.
Thanks very much, Lesley
It is beautifully green around you – and I am impressed with those donkeys knowing the tides and the nutritious food available from a low tide. Lovely to see the white duck shepherding (duckherding?) its charges safely. I particularly like that white duck!
Thanks very much, Pauline. Another neologism from you – I’ve just added a sentence to the post using bigify. The white duck is definitely the duckherd.
Maybe I’ve found my new career…… 🙂
Perhaps the donkeys just look up from time to time and notice that the sea isn’t there.
Perhaps – but I like the idea that they know. Thanks very much, Tootlepedal.
That food looks wonderful, Hungry now.
Thanks a lot, Gary
That little foal splaying his knobby legs to get his head down to eat – SO cute!
Thanks very much, Jodie
: )
You might need to elucidate on “Highland Water”.
It’s a stream that runs through the forest and under the road at Brockenhurst. Thanks very much, Paol
I love your brunch. they look so delicious!
Thanks very much, Arlene
Did the Beatles sing of the ‘Isle of Wight’? Helman’s Mayo? We have Helmans in the States.
Apparently not, Steve http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/hampshire/hi/people_and_places/arts_and_culture/newsid_8574000/8574505.stm
Thanks very much
They are three of a kind, little lives dawdling away unmindful of the ceaseless machinations of the world. Beautiful shots!
Very many thanks, Uma
Oh, that sweet foal. I especially loved the first awkward pose. What a treasure trove of experience and sights you had on your day’s journey…
Thank you very much, Judy
j’admire tous les jours votre blog et ma question est :à qui appartiennent ces animaux en liberté dans la campagne ?je ne comprend pas parfaitement l’anglais mais j’adore votre vie avec plantes et animaux .merci de me donner de la joie tous les jours
Merci beaucoup, Marie Dominique. Je suis heureux que vous aimez ma blog. Les ponies appartiennent a les gens qui habitent le foret, nommés les ‘commoners’ qui avaient les droits pour pâturage. Actuellement ces ponies vivent libres avec un bilan de santé annuel. Les ânes aussi sont libre a errer. Les vaches et les cochons appartiennent a les fermiers. Les cerfs sont sauvage. Au revoir, Derrick
Those various creatures will definitely be aware of the tides. At rubbish tips, gulls always know when it’s Sunday and no tipping will take place!
Thanks a lot, John – especially for confirmation
Awesome photos
Also my blog is private for a while so if you like click the send request and you’ll have access to read my blog
Thanks very much, Cinnamon. I’ve requested send. I hope negative comments haven’t caused this
No, not negative comments
Could you send another request I didn’t get the first 1.
Done
I don’t know why I haven’t received the request in my email. I could send you a invite if you want ?
OK. Thanks
The invite to my blog should be in email. I sent it to you
Phew! Now done
Great day out and more fabulous photos of the glorious area where you live and its locals.
Thank you very much, Sheree
What a beautiful day, Derrick! And so good to see so many human-beans and other creatures out enjoying life! 🙂 I always love seeing the foals, donkeys, ducks, ETC! Those duck-butts are just so cute! 😀
HUGS!!! 🙂
Thanks very much, Carolyn X
I thought i recognised the duck family from your previous post! I’m sure they can take good care of themselves and are car-aware. 🙂 I’m not so sure about the family of schoolchildren though and am glad to see they have handlers.
Loving the photo’s of the donkeys and ponies with their foals. 🙂
Thanks very much, Bob
What a wonderful life you have, Derrick. 😃 Always interesting outings interspersed with delicious food . What more could one ask for?
Nothing, really. Thanks very much, Sylvia
These animals are really beautiful
Many thanks, Rupali
Wonderful photos as always, Derrick.
Thanks very much, Ann
A great ride, Derrick. Can you explain Jackie’s meal? It looks quite interesting.
Thanks a lot, GP. Supermarket bought pepperoni to which she add strips of Cheddar Cheese.
I do exactly the same with our supermarket bought pizza, always add extra cheese and sliced mushrooms.
I love the idea of the donkeys having a tide table!
Thanks very much, Sue
The blogosphere is full of interesting vocab. Today on Joeyfullystated I learned the word “doorfie” and now from you I learn about bigifying.
The donkeys are so endearing. I bet they know its low tide by the smell, eh?
Thanks very much Sue. Pauline at the contentedcrafter coined bigify. An interesting thought about Donkeys’ smell
Ponies, donkeys, ducksies, and chipsies (not enough chipsies, but then I can’t eat chipsies anymore). Lovely post, Derrick, I enjoyed it. Especially the foal with its interesting way of standing.
Thanks very much, Val. I am reducing my chips intake, too 🙂
I always enjoy hearing about your day, Derrick. This time I had to look up “uh-pon-uh-muhs” That one is new to me! When you say you went to “Lyndhurst where we brunched at the eponymous Tea House” does that mean it was the Lyndhurst Tea House? What an interesting way to express it! And your food choices looked so interesting. Obviously very fresh farm-raised eggs. They have such bright orange yokes!
Thanks very much, Jan. You got the name right 🙂
Of all your marvelous photos, Derrick, it’s the sailboats on the horizon that caught my mood today.
Thanks very much, Dolly.
My pleasure, Derrick
Must have been a very low tide those Needles are much higher out of the water in these shots; first time ever seen their “Plimsoll line”
Well spotted, Brian
Just goes to show I really do look closely at your work;
Indeed