Mutual Grooming

This morning I printed a copy of this photograph for Aaron;

I then e-mailed this image, taken from “Sherwood Forest Snowballs”, to Michael’s children;

and scanned and sent this print of Michael and Louisa taken at Oxton in May 1999 to my daughter.

This afternoon we took a short drive in the forest, ending up at Burnt House Lane, Pilley where we helped Elizabeth and Mum sort some of our mother’s belongings.

Cattle foraging on the verges wandered onto the road at Sowley;

Further on, a miniature pony joined the big girls on the road in front of us.

Dog roses are now prolific on the hedgerows.

Valerian clings to the walls of St Leonards Barn.

Nearby a phalanx of cyclists sped down and up a steeply concave hill confronting us in such a manner that Jackie was forced to stop and let them pass.

Pilley Street was occupied by a swarm of donkeys, some of whom, not realising it was Sunday, waited listlessly for a bus; another pair engaged in mutual grooming.

There was enough left over from last night’s takeaway Indian meal for us to dine on that before setting off to Evereton Nurseries where I was to

collect my prize for the Festival photographic competition from Louis. Unfortunately my three digital images had not been considered, because the organisers had been locked out of the e-mail account and did not know who had entered. They asked those they thought might have entered to resubmit. They didn’t know about me. The winner was one of those digital entries. It was not on display. Never mind, I received a round of applause and an engraved glass.

Elizabeth came for the presentation and returned home with us to drink more of the Galodoro. Naturally I Christened my prize.

93 comments

  1. Nice family photos and that last one of you is rather dapper too. Bit of a bummer re the digital loss though – still, a nice enough new wine glass to put to good use 🙂

  2. Very hard to be be beaten by an invisible picture. It is quite right that motorists should give way to cyclist of course. However annoying cyclist are, they cannot hurt motorists and motorists can also too easily damage cyclists. Also, cyclists don’t have a motor to help them get going when they have stopped. E-cyclists are probably fair game.

    1. I would of course always give way to cyclists! Especially if they are labouring uphill !!

    2. Thanks a lot, Tootlepedal. Jackie is always careful of cyclists – these, however, swept up out of the mirk coming straight at her on this narrow lane.

  3. The name ‘Burnt House Lane’ always reminds me of an Enid Blyton mystery. I kind of think you are the Two Find Outers in Modus the Car. The miniature ponies put me in a frame of mind befitting fairy tale stories. Pity the bus wouldn’t take the donkeys to the Faraway Tree.

    I am happy for the prize you have deservedly won. The locking out of the organisers’ email is rather anticlimactic.

    1. It was a bit of a disappointment that those I e-mailed were not considered, especially as one was your cows trimming the hedge favourite. I am in awe at the breadth of your reading. Thanks very much, Uma.

  4. Looks like you had a wonderful family day! Once again, the pictures of the ponies are terrific, especially the miniature one, who doesn’t have much of a problem keeping up to the others!

  5. Congratulations! Wonderful selection of photos. I particularly liked the one of the donkeys at the bus stop.

  6. UGHS on your digital images not being considered. 🙁
    But, so glad you got your prize and some applause! 🙂

    Looks like all of the furry-friends are happy and enjoying their day! Love that teeny-tiny pony! What a cutie! 🙂

    The two family photos are beautiful and sweet…and made me teary-eyed.
    You’ve captured some amazing moments on film, for your family, Derrick.

    (((HUGS))) 🙂

  7. If only the Organisers of the photo comp had been better organised! – Still there’s no shame in being awarded Runner up prize! 🙂

    That’s a wonderful shot of the Donkey’s waiting for a Sunday Bus – it made me smile ;-), as did those of the small pony with is longer legged friends.

    Many thanks for the photographic ramble. 🙂

  8. Congratulations on your recognition for excellent photography – it is overdo – we’ve been telling you how great they are for years!! Bravo!

  9. That’s a bummer there was a glitch with the organizers being locked out of their email resulting in your images not being considered, but nice to receive some applause and a new wine glass. ? That’s a great picture of you, I love seeing the smiles. ?

  10. What a lovely post, from linked arms to miniature ponies to dog roses to aggressive cyclists and almost-but-not missed awards. Thanks for making my Monday that much nicer.

  11. Multiple…. so many…. mixed emotions:
    ? Photos of Mike et al.
    ? Tech trouble at t’festival.
    ? Winner winner with your picca!

  12. Congratulations on your win, though it’s a shame about the digital mix-up. Still, I’m happy to hear you put your prize to good use–as I thought you might.
    Lovely photos, as always. I love those donkey faces, but your remark makes me wonder if Samuel Beckett ever observed a similar waiting scene. 😉

  13. Pilley Street was occupied by a swarm of donkeys, some of whom, not realising it was Sunday, waited listlessly for a bus – Laughing out loud at that.

    Congratulations on your prize, my friend!

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