The sun made brief appearances during another warm day which we began by driving to Milford Pharmacy to collect repeat prescriptions.
The Needles Loch Ness Monster substitute cast its baleful eye over the proverbial millpond that was the Solent.
A gentleman entertained his frisky barking dogs on the shingle then walked away along the promenade.
We turned up Downton Lane and took a trip into the forest.
I imagine visiting children had enjoyed beavering at dams across the Wootton Bridge stream, even though it is somewhat depleted.
Bracken alongside the road to Burley is beginning to turn golden brown, and is still home to
discarded drink cans.
Donkeys were petted as usual beside The Fighting Cocks at Godshill,
while ponies blended or contrasted with the landscape across the road.
An idle wood pigeon hitched a ride on
one of the thatched pigs wandering across a Sandy Balls roof.
A sturdy Massey Ferguson tractor sent up dust clouds whilst harrowing a recently ploughed field alongside Hordle Lane.
This afternoon, whilst I was engaged in boring administration, Jackie photographed the Westbrook Arbour and its surroundings while Nugget kept her company in his usual helpful manner.
Occasionally spreading his wings he darted after prey;
after due investigation he decided against diving into watered holes;
he perched on trugs and watering cans;
and presented silhouettes from above.
And, of course, he posed for “Where’s Nugget?” (24)
Just before Jackie returned indoors, she witnessed a violent altercation between two robins in a hebe. One was sent packing. We hope it wasn’t Nugget.
This evening we dined at Lal Quilla where the greeting was as friendly and the food and service as excellent as ever. My main course was king prawn Ceylon; Jackie’s was chicken Hariyali; we shared a plain paratha, mushroom rice, and Tarka Dal; and both drank Kingfisher.
Please tell Nugget he’s looking very smart in silhouette!
Will do, Cynthia. Many thanks
I’m enjoying working with silhouettes in my card making currently Derrick and it is lovely to see you providing some inspiration. When I saw the title of this post I thought immediately of Nugget – I hope he can hold his own in the territory stakes. I imagine there might be a few watchers wishing they had a private chef too…… I found him easily today too 🙂
Many thanks, Pauline. Pleased you found Nugget X
I hope so too. Does he have any distinguishing features, other than his friendliness?
Number 24 made me smile again.
Thanks very much, Susan. He has quite a lot of blue in him – but imagine he will let us know by his behaviour
I love those thatch pigs on the roof.
Thanks very much, Sheree
Thank you for taking us on your journey today. Nugget looks so cute in “Where’s Nugget,” like he’s saying, “Hahaha, here I am!” I hope he’s OK.
This made me laugh, “one of the thatched pigs wandering across a Sandy Balls roof.” 😉
I’m pleased you got a smile. Merril. Thanks very much. Well spotted
I know – me too with the “Sandy Balls.” I guess that’s a town?
It’s a holiday homes site. Jackie often detours past it so she can have a giggle
I remember you saying that years ago, about Jackie – that’s when I knew she and I were soul mates.
🙂 Chuckles from us both
It’s like a Monty Python routine. 😉
Ha! Exactly, Merrill.
I like your Loch Ness Monster substitute, and the single white pony is gorgeous. Nugget apparently thinks he can camouflage himself among the leaves on a tree branch in the far right top of the photo, at the very edge.
Thanks very much, Dolly. Well spotted
My pleasure, Derrick
I enjoyed today’s day out and the meal sounded lovely.
My fingers are crossed that Nugget is safe at home.
Ours, too, Sue. Thanks very much
Great photos, Derrick. I particularly enjoyed the black and white. Guess which picture should be a puzzle? Nugget on the watering can! So sweet!
Thanks very much, Jill 🙂
The sight of good soil blowing away is slightly worrying. I read a gloomy prediction that there will be no good soil anywhere in the world in seventy years unless practices change.
Thanks a lot, Tootlepedal. That is scary
I hope it wasn’t Nugget who was sent packing! I love those thatch pigs!
Thanks very much, Clare. We believe Nugget was victorious
Nugget is quite a adorable.
Great post Derrick
How are you today ?
Thanks very much, More. Good today
Oh you’re welcome
OH! 😮 I hope Nugget is okay! Please let us know! I hope he was the one kickin’ arse and is okay and was not the one getting his arse kicked. 🙁
HA! I love where he IS in the Where’s Nugget photo! It made me laugh loudly! 😀
Your photos today are filled with beauty and whimsy and joy! Love the silhouette of Nugget! Love the pigs, pigeons, horses, donkeys! 🙂 Love the forest photos! They bring me good memories We used to live in northern California in the woods and I miss it so much.
HUGS!!! 🙂
PS…Seriously, your Where’s Nugget? photos should be made into a book. You could tell Nugget’s story of adopting Jackie and you and your garden, and then have the photos for people to enjoy! 🙂
Many thanks, Carolyn. Nugget is in fine force this morning. The book may materialise. X
You’re welcome! 🙂
OH, good! I was worried about him!
OH! That would be so wonderful! 🙂
PS…The pigs up on the roofs… made me think of the expression, “When pigs fly.” So I must look up that phrase and see what I discover. 🙂
🙂
I absolutely love the picture of Nugget on the watering can. You should sell prints of that.
Thanks very much, Leslie. Do you have the capacity to take that off the blog and print it? You would be welcome – otherwise I could send you one.
Let me see if I can do it myself. But if can’t I’d gladly pay the cost for a copy and the postage required to send it.
Just let me know (there would be no cost)
I love that donkey! I’ve never seen one with that kind of coloring and spots!
Thanks very much, Barbara. That is one local pattern
Hoping little Nugget was not the one driven off! I suspect being on his home turf, he was the winner of this skirmish. I loved all the photos from your day, especially the thatched pigs on the roof.
Very many thanks, Lavinia. He seems to be in fine voice this morning.
Those are splendid photographs of the places surrounding your habitat. Jackie has captured some fetching views of her garden, not to speak of her tiny friend. Nugget exists partially towards the top right corner.
Thanks very much, Uma. Well spotted
As always, they are such beautiful views. And Nugget is so adorable. He is so round, and looks very loved and healthy 🙂
I also hope he survived the altercation in one piece.
Thanks very much Takami. He has
He is really a pet. Thanks very much, Takami
I, too, love the thatched pigs. Did they really once keep pigs on their roofs? Love Nugget, as usual. Sadly, my cats would make quick work of him. One harsh reality of harboring cats….
Thanks very much, Judy. I don’t think pigs were ever kept on roofs – these are examples of thatchers’ trademarks. We see pheasants, ducks, cats, owls, ponies, donkeys etc. I’ve never seen one on a tiled roof before.
I’ve heard of sheep and goats on sod roofs.. which makes sense because they could graze and keep the grass from getting too high.
I have seen photos of real goats on roofs
Great photos again today Derrick!
I don’t think i’ve ever seen a thatched pig before? The pig and piglets are adorable, but not as much as little Nugget -the shot of him on the watering can is a definite keeper. He’s really joining in the spirit of the Where’s Nugget challenge and seems to be making it more difficult as he finds new places to not show up! 😉 Found him without bigification today – eventually.
I am a little surprised his family did not go to his aid and help see of the interloper though, feathers are thicker than water you know. Am glad to hear he was the victor on this occasion. 🙂
I think as long as they make canned or bottled drinks there will always be idiots who take no thought for their correct disposal and treat their planet as their personal rubbish bin! 🙁
Hope the knee is getting better and you might even be able to cut back on some meds/prescriptions. 🙂
Thanks very much, Bob. There is no robin family as yet. Knees are getting better daily; haven’t taken meds for them for months.
That’s good news about the knee!
AS for family, I was under the impression Nugget had adopted you and Jackie… or vice versa? 🙂
True – not sure which way round
I adored, “the idle wood pigeon hitching a ride on
one of the thatched pigs wandering across a Sandy Balls roof”.
These photos captured my imagination, gorgeous Derrick,
Thank you very much, Ivor
Lovely post, Derrick. Only you tried to trick us by only photographing 1/2 of Nugget – but I found him!!
It seemed the best bit, GP. 🙂 Well spotted
I did laugh when I found Nugget – just peeping in there! And hopefully not send packing by another robin.
Thanks very much, Helen. We think he is OK but we have been out all day
Thanks for another fabulous trip across the countryside Derrick. In America, driving to the pharmacy to get medicine would be called a chore yet you always show me how to turn everything into an adventure. Thanks for the inspiration my friend.
Very many thanks, Jerry
Good luck, Nugget! Keep us posted.
Will do, Laurie. Thanks very much
I suspect it was the other one that was sent packing – it is Nugget’s home turf after all.
Another lovely post Derrick and some great photos.
You seem to be right, Stuart, Many thanks
I real like the black/white image so artsy 🙂 and I just don’t get the littering…ugh
Many thanks msw. Nor me
I need a Nugget
Thanks very much, Flower. I hope you find one
Always such a delight to see these pictures of the places you visit
Thanks very much, Nita
I hope Nugget is ok! He is such a charmer 🙂 He’s clearly enjoying posing for the camera!
Thanks very much, Sandra. We have been out all day, but he was singing away this morning
Jackie got some lovely shots today, Derrick. Love that peek-a-boo Nugget shot!
One of the best, I think, Jodie. Thanks very much
I’m relieved to know that Nugget is safe and sound, and singing. Those pigs foraging across the roof are delightful. No soil blowing here today — we’ve suddenly been blessed with tropical storm Imelda. It’s a nice, well behaved storm so far: no winds to speak of, only lots of rain. Apparently it’s going to be out of here by Friday, and in the meantime I can clean house!
Sounds good, Linda. Thanks very much
So nice to have your own friendly resident robin, Nugget sure is beautiful, and the photos excellent. Another great day in your lives, splendid!
Thank you very much, Agnes
I love the photo of the man and his dog. It’s a stunning photo, so dramatic.
Thanks very much, Gary
Hopefully our brave Nugget will have won the field.
We think so, Widders. Thanks very much
If the remaining Robin behaves exactly as he did before, then it’s Nugget, which is much more the likely outcome of a single argument. If the fighting goes on and on, then the owner of the territory is more likely to be losing.
We think so, John. Today we’ll have more time to test it out. Thanks very much
I love the Nugget silhouettes! I also was very taken with the seaside photos that are studies in shades of gray.
Thank you very much, Liz.
You’re welcome!
Loved the very first photo but no matter what you see on your travels the very best use of the ones in your own garden. I believe everybody needs a Nugget.
🙂 Thanks very much, Paul
Nugget is too lovely for words. We live in the city of Kingfisher beer but it seems to have gone a bit out of fashion over here, what with all the micro breweries cropping up.
Kingfisher is our favourite accompaniment to curry. Thanks very much, LL/PS