The day began as gloomy as yesterday. The early rain was quite light – enough for us to put in a stint of clearing up clippings and dead heading before it increased in ferocity.
I watched recordings of the Rugby World Cup matches between USA and Tonga; between Wales and Uruguay; and between Ireland and Japan. As usual I will not reveal the outcome of any of these , save to say that the sight of several of the smaller Japanese simultaneously tackling some of the larger Scots put me in mind of a pride of lions bringing down an elephant.
By late afternoon the sun emerged as the clouds sped away.
We took a drive into the forest via Holmsley Passage where the lowering sun burnished the bracken beneath still laden clouds.
I rambled for a while along Bisterne Close where ponies ambled once they left the
woodland on one side.
This mare led her foal
across to the side occupied by farms, houses and field horses. The mother enjoyed a scratch as her offspring waited patiently.
The domesticated animals now sport their rugs. The free ranging ponies grow their own.
Readers may observe that leaf shadows on one of these tree trunks have provided a template for a Halloween pumpkin face.
Mushrooms and tree fungus are found here;
varieties of tree fungus emerge from logs lying alongside Beechwood Road.
The stream under Mill Lane flows again over the ford.
Cattle graze beside the waters, and pigs
snuffle along the lane vacuuming up the fallen acorns so that they do not poison the ponies.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s nicely matured pork paprika with rice and peas, with which she drank Hoegaarden and I drank more of the Pinot Noir.
I didn’t know acorns were poisonous to ponies. Nature and piggies find their way to bring balance. Thanks Derrick 💕
Thanks very much, Val. They do, indeed
Ha, the proximity of the live animals and your dinner made me momentarily afraid I was about to read that you had eaten nicely matured pork stuffed with acorns……… The featured tree trunk is a wonderful old twisted affair and I found the happy face quite magical. Pleased to report the rain has finally stopped here for now – so enjoyed our early morning walk under blue skies and in need of sunglasses.
I’m so pleased your weather has improved at last – you’ve had a bad run of it. I always miss the juxtaposition of wandering pigs and a pork dinner 🙂 Thanks very much, Pauline. I’m also pleased you appreciated the face.
I was just on my way to journal outside and it is raining here! And then I come here and you mention the gloomy start – but looks like a great day! Love those bumpy tree trunks and horse jacket rugs!
Many thanks, Yvette. So often over here the evening brightens up when the day has started gloomily
🙂
It’s now looking decidedly autumnal Derrick
Yes. Thanks very much, Sheree
Autumn in the forest looks lovely! The foals are growing up, and an interesting old tree who has seen much over the years. Wet leaves, newly sprouted fungus and warm angled afternoon sunlight are all things I enjoy. In spite of springs beautiful flowers, it is autumn I love the most.
Definitely the kindest to photographers, Lavinia. Many thanks
Stunning photographs as ever sir. Love the gnarled old tree.
Thanks very much, Gary
The photo of the grey horse ambling through the woods, is a wonderful photo Derrick, and immediately captured my eye…….
Thank you very much, Ivor. When I first drafted the post I forgot to include it. I am now so pleased that I did.
Oh Derrick, when opened your article the photo really stood out for me……..
It looks like the autumn colors have settled in nicely. Gorgeous shots, Derrick! The sky looks amazing in those first few shots.
Thanks very much, Jill. The sky was the best we’ve had for a long time
Unfortunately my eyes were so bedimmed by tears that I couldn’t fully appreciate your lovely afternoon scenes.
Thanks very much, Tootlepedal
I am really impressed by the tree fungi. But that second shot! I can just imagine Diggory Venn With his reddle pack on his back . How far away did Hardy live?
Thanks very much, Paol. I do hope you like this earlier post on the subject. https://derrickjknight.com/2013/10/11/trish/
Hardy’s Cottage is not far away at all. You might also like to follow the link to Max Gate which it features.
I enjoyed my visit today, some of the pictures were just awesome! waves across the pond..
Thanks very much, Dymoon.
I love the patches of blue as the sky begins to clear. The bracken is quite striking. As many nineteenth century novels as I’ve read, I never knew that bracken is a type of fern until I saw your photos of it a while back.
Thanks very much, Liz. I’m pleased to have enlightened you – I didn’t know at first
You have certainly utilised the recess provided by the rains to the hilt.
Thanks very much, Uma
Lots to look at, but, as usual, the horses are my favorites.
Many thanks, Laurie
The first of the day’s photos is lovely. It brought to mind the paintings of J.M.W. Turner.
Praise indeed, Linda. Thanks very much
What a beautiful amble and ramble you undertook. I have a massive patch of identical mushrooms on my sodden grass. I’m very fond of mushrooms but suspect that these may not be edible. I wish I knew.
Thanks very much, Sue. My late wife, Jessica was part of a fungi foray group.
Really? Oh, how interesting. I always liked the idea of foraging.
Beautiful autumn colors 🙂
Thanks very much, Ribana
Your second photograph….have you ever noticed how frequently you see that lone tree just below the top of a hill? It seems very common in the West Country, for example.
Thanks very much, John. Even here it is quite common
Love the shots of the bracken and the ponies, particularly the mare and her foal.
I did not pickup the Hallowe’en face until i saw your header photograph for a second time (my browser always starts off with yesterday’s header at first for some reason?) – I was focusing on a second face further down the trunk: ear, one eye, nose, mouth and long chin). 🙂
Thinking of your fly-frustrated ponies, i saw an article recently that tested the hypothesis that zebras evolved their stripes because they reduce the attraction of flies, by painting cows with black and white stripes!!
The results showed an average of 50% fewer flies on the striped cows!
I wonder if you or the farmers should carry a pot of striped paint for next time you see the ponies swishing their tails?? 😉
Fascinating about the zebras, Bob. Perhaps we could festoon ponies with fly paper. I thought I should have the face on the header. The other one was there, too. Thanks very much.
I love your drives through the forest you two!! Thank you both for showing me your countryside!
Thanks very much from us both, GP
I’m a fan of the second shot — love the colors and the grey, expressive sky.
Thank you very much, Cindy. Reminiscent of some of yours
You are kind.
This is such an autumnal post, Derrick. Full of colour and atmosphere 🙂
Thank you very much, Sandra
Great pics as always Derrick!
Thanks very much, Gary
Love the pigs. We’re having a mast year for acorns, so wish we had a few piggies of our own to eat them up.
Thanks very much, Brenda
‘Tis the season for pumpkin-faces! Love the mushroom and fungi photos. (Bet those sail boarders and surfers on the earlier post were fun-guys! 😉 😀 )
The pigs, cattle, and ponies look healthy and happy! 🙂
Your sky/cloud photos are so beautiful! I love cloud-watching! 🙂
HUGS!!! 🙂
Very many thanks, Carolyn X
You’re photos are always wonderful.
Were you a professional photographer,?
Many blessings to you
Thank you very much, More. I was never professional, although I have sold a few photographs. I have been a keen amateur for more than 60 years. Now I just like sharing them.
They look very professional
Blessings to you
Thank you, I hope for the best results I can manage
Your free ranging animals seem to enjoy the climate and habitat, with no fear shown
Photographing pigs and then describing matured pork paprika was a gourmet chefs brilliant culinary advertisement.
Thanks a lot, Ian. It’s not the first time I’ve inadvertently featured that porcine juxtaposition
Love your close ups of ponies, Derrick!
Thanks very much, Dolly
Very welcome, Derrick