Hot, flyblown, weather has returned.This afternoon we took a short drive into the forest.
Cattle at East Boldre were surprisingly energetic in the humid heat. They travelled quickly across the moorland, interrupting their grazing with a mounting amount of head-butting.
More somnolent ponies took what shelter they could from the East Boldre bus hut. One prone grey looked as if it might be in need of the defibrillator now occupying the redundant telephone box.
The burning sun cast sharp shadows as the ponies clustered together
twitching tails as protection against
irritating insects.
Once I had returned to the car, this mare above chose to plant herself behind it. Slowly Jackie reversed to nudge her out of the way. The pony ambled round to the driver’s side and Jackie rapidly closed her window before the animal could make her objections known.
Later I listened to more of the Ashes Test match.
This evening Jackie and I joined Elizabeth and Jacqueline for dinner at The Fleur de Lys in Pilley. My starter consisted of crab and smoked mackerel; steak medallions formed the basis of my main course; treacle tart and ice cream was to follow. The service was excellent and the food as superb as ever. Elizabeth and I shared an excellent bottle of Malbec. I am past caring what anyone else consumed.
You are very late today, so I’m not surprised that you are past caring about anything. But I got my second chuckle of the morning 🙂 Sleep well xo
” I am past caring what anyone else consumed.” That made me laugh, too, Pauline. Your comment added insight as to why he was past caring. I love that you are so attuned to his habits – even though you are so far away.
You both know me so well. It is much appreciated
I did sleep well. I think I am awake now. Thanks very much, Pauline X
: )
The weather’s all over the place in UK. Gorgeous photos, I enjoyed your stroll today and loved your closing comment!
Thanks very much, Sheree. We are due another hot one today
I’ve waiting for your post, love your blog.
It’s a good think Jackie closed her window just in time. Haha ☺
Thank you very much, More. I’m sorry it was so late
You’re welcome
No, need for apologies i totally understand
🙂
From an SAT tutor’s standpoint, “somnolent” is a very good word. If more people used it, my job would be easier.
I love the pony and cattle pictures.
A few months back I had a Malbec – It was new to me and I liked it very much.
Thanks very much, Jodie. I’m pleased about the word. Malbec is my go to choice when I can’t be bothered to look at the wine list.
: )
I was getting worried about you, Derrick. Looks like a beautiful day for an outing. Thanks for sharing.
Couldn’t get an earlier booking in the pub. Many thanks, Jill
the cattle and horse photos are nice, D…
and- laughing about not caring what everyone else had – hahah
and my 19 year old son had mackerel for the first time and loved it
–
🙂 Thanks very much, Yvette
🙂
Was the prone pony all right?
Yes. She did eventually stagger to her feet.
That’s good to hear. I hate to see animals suffer.
Yes. These ponies don’t often lie down when they reach adulthood – they sleep standing. Getting up and down is almost as ungainly as it would be for me
That’s what I thought. (That ponies sleep standing up, not that you’re ungainly.)
🙂
Another day to make me envious – seeing all those ponies and that delicious meal!
Thank you very much, Barbara
The animals must find the humid weather and accompanying flies so irritating. I am not surprised the ponies are a bit stroppy! I am glad Jackie shut her window in time. The meal sounds wonderful!
Thanks very much, Clare. I’m still feeling the effects of the meal 🙂
Oooh! 😀
A defibrillator in a telephone box. I never would have thought of that.
I wouldn’t have thought of it either. Derrick was on a roll tonight!
Thanks again, Jan
We have a lot – but I wonder who uses them. Thanks very much, Alien
I believe we are the last of the folks who listen to a Test Match. It needs patience of the ponies.
So sadly true, Uma. Thanks very much
Jackie is a ace driver. I think I would have waited the pony out 🙂
That would have been some time, msw. Thanks very much
hahaha very true
Spectacular photos! From those beautiful faces to those twitching tails!
I am often frisky…rarely somnolent. 😀
Ha! on not caring what anyone else consumed. I snort-laughed! 😛
Glad the horsey moved and didn’t get to protest any objections through an open car window! You might have been there a while…listening…especially if it was a female horse! 😉 😀 Just teasin’! 😉
HUGS!!! 🙂
🙂 Many thanks, Carolyn. X
I’ve given up with the World Champions. The same old story year after year. Why not bring back Colin Cowdrey and/or Ted Dexter? And Keith Fletcher. my own particular under-achiever.
Thanks a lot John. Slogging cricket is where the money is
Loved the horse pictures. Hope the prone pony is okay. Like your other readers, I got a kick outta the “past caring” remark. I bet you were smirking as you typed that! Hah!!
I was having a little smirk, Jan. Many thanks
I knew it. I sensed it. Could almost see it!! <3
🙂
Great photos. We’re all having lovely bank holiday weather, even up here and although I’m staying put, it is a pleasure to see the sunshine and feel the warmth. Malbec is one of my favourites!
Thanks very much, Sue. I’m pleased you are getting your share of good weather, too
The photo of the ponies clustered by their prone partner with a red ‘phone box encapsulating a defibrillator is one for the Ages! 🙂
Is there much of a call for defibrillators at bus stops where you are Derrick?? Or are they more for zonked out ponies?
Denly and Root must have given you a glimmer of hope at winning a test? I rather fear the odds remain with the Aussies though.
Thanks very much, Bob. We have a lot of defibrillators scattered about. I’ve never seen or heard of one used.
You are right about the odds, but at least we are seeing a return to the ebb, flow, and application of Test cricket.
Better to have one and not need it than to need it and not have it.
I wonder if the English coach had some handy recently… not to flog a dead horse, of course! 😉
🙂
I like the queue at the phone box!
Thanks a lot, Andrew
I love these cows and horses.
Thanks very much, Rabirius
I don’t drink much wine these days, but I’ve never tried Malbec, and your mentions of it have made me curious. Perhaps there will be a little experimentation in the future. Presumably, it won’t leave me pony-prone, although it might leave me past caring about this or that!
Thanks very much, Linda. Two glasses is my limit now – but I did have to help my sister out 🙂
You went and found me a whole bunch of horses to enjoy – thanks!!
Sussed 🙂 And thank you, GP
Hahaha! Your last sentence almost, almost, resulted in me laughing so hard that I spit out my coffee. Glad you enjoyed your meal!
🙂 Glad you kept your coffee in Cheryl. Thanks very much
Like Pauline, I had a good laugh at that line, Derrick. The ponies are amazing. They do not really exhibit horse behavior. Perhaps they no longer think they are prey animals. The cattle were probably just on the move for better grazing, and jousting about who would lead…
Thanks very much, Lisa. 🙂 You are probably right about the cattle, but one did attempt to mount another
Ah, a whole other sort of friskiness.
Excellent shots Derrick.. The heat is getting to the animals as well as ourselves.. I am not complaining mind you, so long as we find a shady spot.. 🙂
Hope you have a lovely Bank Holiday ..
take care.. 🙂
You, too, Sue. Thanks very much
<3
Sounds like you had a jolly good time!
We did, Laurie. Thank you very much