For the last few days we have been unable to control the smart aspect of our TV. This has meant we could only watch free to air live and nothing would record. James Peacock of Peacock Computers fixed the problem this morning. Intermittently I listened to England’s innings against New Zealand in the men’s Cricket World Cup.
This afternoon we went for a drive in the east of the forest.
One of the lessons we have needed to learn is when to expect animals to cross the road in front of us. An example of this was found today at East Boldre. Jackie slowed the car for us to see a foal. Suddenly its mother took it upon herself to lead her offspring to the other side.
Litter picking is quite an industry here. The major roads are cleared by paid staff, but areas like Hatchet Pond rely on volunteers. This group enabled their dog to participate by tossing a stick into the lake. The branch was constantly retrieved.
We have come to the conclusion, confirmed today, that the small birds, like thrushes, often dogging ponies’ footsteps, are gleaning worms and other food revealed by the equine activity. Unfortunately I have managed to lose the photograph of a bird with a worm in its beak.
One spritely youngster, from its vantage point on a pony’s shoulders took a leap over the animal’s long, concave back, landing on its sturdy rump.
On Sway Road we were held up by an encounter between a double decker bus and a very long container truck. We had to admire the skill of these two drivers. No doubt the bus driver was accustomed to the situation. It was the man in the truck who had to become a tree hugger and reach out to haul in his wing mirrors before inching ahead.
On our return I listened to the bulk of New Zealand’s innings.
This evening we dined at The Wheel, Bowling Green, Pennington. We both enjoyed starters of Tempura prawns, salad, and sweet chilli dip. Jackie’s excellent Wheel Inn burger, salad, and chips featured the best onion rings she has ever tasted; my cod, chips, and peas was equally good. Mrs. Knight drank Kaltenberg, and I drank Ringwood’s Best. Service was efficient and friendly.
The little foal and its snow-white mother are adorable.
Thanks very much, Dolly. It is remarkable how many different colours there are on these ponies and their offspring.
Very welcome, Derrick. This is a silly question: is it the size that makes them ponies, rather than horses?
That is what I have learned – but I am no expert, Dolly. Many thanks
My pleasure, Derrick
What a sight! The bird alighting on the pony’s back. Wow–
Such a lucky shot, Pleasant. Many thanks
My problem with smart-anything (like phones, TVs, etc.) is that sometimes I’m not smart enough to figure everything-about-them out! 😉 😮 😀
The Mama and foal are beautiful! 🙂
Aw, on the doggie fetching the stick! 🙂 We have some common grass, flowers, and tree areas nearby for people to enjoy with or without their dogs. I’ve been known to go over there and pick up trash and doggie-poo when no one is watching. So SHH! Mum’s the word! No one knows I do this! 😮 🙂
I love how the birds help other animals by “grooming” them. Love your photos of the horses and birds… The Long Jump, especially! 🙂
OH MY! on the bus and truck! Definitely some hugging goin’ on there!
Your evening dinner sounds delicious! 🙂 It is difficult to find good Onion Rings!
HUGS!!! 🙂
Thanks very much indeed, Carolyn. This earlier post tells about the discovery of a smart electricity meter: https://derrickjknight.com/2017/08/01/salvaging-a-squandered-sunny-afternoon/
The outcome was that I found a loophole in the contract which freed me from responsibility for the three years payment.
Oh, my!
And Oh, good! 🙂
Derrick, some more fabulous photos of the wildlife you regularly encounter.
Many thanks, Sheree.
I did rather wonder if the mother horse made the assumption you were slowing for her benefit – and not wishing to disappoint your thoughtfulness, made the crossing. (Anthropomorphising at its best) 🙂
Good thinking, Pauline. Thanks very much
Welcome back Mrs Knight! I would have enjoyed being a passenger in your car and The meal sounds lovely..
As for the Sky problem, it often happens here too, I find switching off removing the card for half an ten minutes, . Waiting awhile and rebooting the router usually does the truck!
Many thanks, Sue. Jackie tried very hard to reply to this, but her password kept being rejected. “Thank you. Nice to be back” was the message she tried to send. Actually we are not on Sky, just normal TV with all the trimmings
No idea where I got the Sky idea from! Thank you Jackie for your comment. ?
🙂
This World Cup needs more Geoff Boycott like dig in Performances
Even he couldn’t have made that game more soporific eventually. Thanks a lot, Gary
That’s a tight fit on Sway Road!
Thanks very much, Rosaliene. The best I’ve seen of many
Enjoyed that thrush hop!
Many thanks, Cynthia. I was lucky there 🙂
Delightful!
Thanks very much, Leslie
Eek! Sway Road needs to be widened a bit!
I wondered what you’d make of that, Jill. It’s a good thing there was no swaying. Thanks very much.
Wow, both the truck and bus drivers did exceptionally well, and thank you for gorgeous horse photos today Derrick…….
Thanks very much, Ivor
Oh so beautiful those birds and ponies.
I myself am not very good at tv’s or computers. There are so many buttons and settings I get confused. I have my 13 year old nephew to help me. It is quite funny these kids are so into technology these days.
Fabulous photos Derrick.
Many thanks, Cinnamon. I always think “I need a grandchild” in such circumstances, but they are all a bit far away
You’re welcome
I would love to live where you live! Horses on the roads and on the fields, and birds! How wonderful! I imagine the drivers must have nerves of steel, navigating those monstrous vehicles past one another. Loved the photos of the jumping bird!
Thank you very much, Anna
A great photo.
Around here, the “cattle egrets” — a particular species — like to ride on the back of cattle, dining on who knows what that lives on the cows. It’s mutually beneficial. The cows get groomed, and the birds get some treats.
Where to start, that is the problem.
People should never throw sticks for their dogs, Sticks have been known to bounce back and strike the dog and can cause serious damage such as blinding them’
It looks a bit like a Springer Spaniel. The photographer should make note and clarify the breed for viewers; and also advise the dogs people against throwing sticks!
My son would like the number plate affixed to that Citroen, NAO, His name is Nathan and his mates all call him NAO for some reason.Are you able to assist him?
The title of this post is preferable to The Short Drop
Prawns sound so good right now
And the horse helping the foal was a beautiful capture –
Thanks very much, Yvette
There is nothing as sweet as animals and the people who love and protect them; and children and the people who love and protect them.
(Speaking to my country, basically, in both these regards, now).
If we don’t take care of children and animals, what are we?
Quite so, Cindy. Many thanks
Does my heart good to see Nature up close and personal… even if it is over 10000 miles away! 😉
Was the trailer driver taking a short cut?? How are they even allowed on roads like that – i’d be concerned passing another rider on my bike in that spot. God forbid a DD bus and a Semitrailer?
I’m going to have to stop reading your final paragraphs in future, notw my mouth is watering for cooked seafood! 🙂
Thanks very much, Bob. I don’t think the commercial vehicle should have been there, but many do it.
Uh-huh! (eye-roll)
I so look forward to your animal (and flower) photographs Derrick! Love the one of the bird landing on the pony’s back. 😀 I never thought before how birds can take advantage of the churned up soil where the horses have trodden. 🙂
Thanks very much, Lesley.
England too, seems to have taken a leap off the concave back of the tournament and is sitting on the sturdy back of Cricket for the moment. Sorry about your smart TV going astray. One thing that doesn’t seem to trouble you at all is your camera, sworn to deliver each time you put it to service.
Very many thanks, Uma. Not sure we can beat India again
England has a great team. We look forward to watching the game.
All of them amazing pictures as always!I especially loved the one of the bird landing on the pony’s back!Thank you for sharing, Derrick!
Thanks very much, Sofia
I am guessing that the header picture will feature in next year’s photography competition! Wonderful.
Thanks very much, Andrew – fortuitous moment
You would think that bus could have moved over a little bit to help out the situation, eh?
Love the pictures!!
Thanks very much, GP. Perhaps the bus driver gets a bit bored with it
No excuse.
That top photo is a stunner!
Thanks very much, Laurie
Good grief, I wouldn’t have wanted to be that lorry driver. Blame it on the sat nav! A bridge in our village was damaged because the driver was sent on an impossible route by one such device. We now have a sign showing a lorry with a red line through it.
I think you are right. Thanks very much, Helen
Talk about a close encounter! 🙂
🙂 Thanks very much, Widders
I love the photos, especially the foal and the ones with the bird sitting on the horse. When I had a horse, I used to see birds perched on him, too.
Thanks very much, Lavinia
Wonderful photos–as always. I’m glad that close encounter between vehicles turned out OK–and also happy to hear your TV is smart again.
Thanks very much, Merril
Pure beauty, love horses.
Thanks very much, Laleh
My pleasure.
Great photos all telling a story. I always love the horses and pony photos, but that bus and truck encounter was fascinating. I imagine they were going pretty slow to squeeze by each other.
Barely moving, JoAnna. Many thanks
Cute animal photos! Definitely a warm fuzzy post this time ?
Thank you very much, Wendy
Such cute pictures of the little bird!
Your last picture made me laugh 🙂 It is an Irish truck! The tree-hugger has plenty of narrow roads back home to acquire the skill. He just didn’t want to get in trouble abroad, especially in a future non-EU country 😉 He was smart enough to haul in the mirrors – I don’t see any room for the mirrors in this picture.
Quite, Inese. Thank you very much
Wonderful photos of the bird on the pony’s back. We wonder if the pony feels anything.
The larger animals seem quite oblivious. Thank you very much, LL/PS
The photo of the bus and truck passing each other – what a capture! I enjoyed envisioning the bird hopping from one brown hill to the next. 🙂
Thanks very much, Crystal – ‘one brown hill to the next’, I like.