This morning I watched the recorded Rugby World Cup quarter final match between England and Australia.
After lunch Jackie drove us into the forest where most of the free ranging animals were on display.
Donkeys with a foal basked in the sunshine at Bramshaw, where
another wandered up a lane towards the green occupied by
red brown and black Highland and other cattle.
In the vicinity of Nomansland we drove down a lane in Deazle Woods, up and down which a pair of walkers walked several times. Our paths continued to cross as we continued towards Newbridge. Each time I left the car with a camera they were there.
Here are some scenes of the woodland I wandered through.
Returning to the road from Nomansland we encountered a couple of sows with two piglets snuffling among the mud in search of mast.
One little piggy let out a fearful squeal as its mother butted it out of reach of one tasty morsel she wanted for herself.
Another donkey foal sat in the road as we approached Newbridge.
Sheep and cattle shared pasturage here.
One mother suckled her hungry calf. There was a certain amount of avid spillage.
A young lady speeding astride a sturdy steed seemed amused to scatter the sheep.
Just outside the village a small Shetland pony kindly enhanced my view of a backlit autumnal tree,
while a larger animal gave a demonstration of how to cross a dry ditch.
Back at home I watched the rugby quarter final match between New Zealand and Ireland, while Jackie planted more pansies and snakehead fritillaries and cleared more beds.
She photographed fuchsias Army Nurse and Display, heuchera leaves, phlox, and a Japanese anemone.
Nugget was, of course, in attendance,
and wishes it known that he does feature in this garden image, perched above the central hanging basket. We considered that this was too difficult an example for the “Where’s Nugget?” game,
and made him settle for this “Where’s Nugget?” (38).
This evening we dined on Jackie’s wholesome cottage pie, the mash topped with fried potatoes; piquant cauliflower cheese; and crunchy broccoli and carrots with which she drank Hoegaarden and I drank Parra Alta Malbec 2018.
This was quite the frolic through the bucolic English countryside Derrick – with animals of all types, sizes and colours to delight us. Not to be beaten, I found Nugget in both photos. However without the clue on the first one I may have missed him altogether. As to the second one I’m waiting to be told he is joining the NZ troops and becoming a bird incapable of flight due to his abundant and rich diet……….
Many thanks, Pauline. The NZ troops are scaring this follower of English rugby 🙂
Does that mean the AB’s are doing well?
They blew Ireland away
I just saw that – it seems the big boys scared the heck out of them 😀
‘…frolic through the bucolic…’ … well said! 😀
agreed
🙂
These are stunning photographs sir. It’s lovely seeing so many photos without humans.
🙂 Thanks very much, Gary.
😀
You live in a splendid part of the world–with woods, animals, and your own wonderful garden, and Nugget, of course. I love those little donkey faces!
Very many thanks, Merril
You had a feast of good rugby to watch today. It will be interesting to see who comes out best in the semi-final.
Your road trip and woodland wandering produced some lovely pictures.
Thanks very much, Tootlepedal
Derrick, you know I’m a sucker for donkeys and Highland cattle! Quite made my day.
I’m pleased, Sheree. Many thanks
Rural bliss.
Many thanks, Cindy
Gorgeous shots, Derrick! The photos of the lane in Deazle Woods are beautiful. Nugget is looking quite dapper!
Thanks very much, Jill. Jigsaw puzzles?
Definitely!
Beautiful
Thanks very much, More
You’re very welcome
Those highland cattle are quite something. They have an almost prehistoric aura about them that’s a little unnerving and quite attractive, all at the same time. Here’s something amusing: I spotted Nugget in the first photo almost immediately, and had to search for him in the second!
That is very amusing, Linda. Well done, and thanks a lot.
What a wonderful wonderful day! Love the donkeys and the little calves! So precious!
Nugget is looking quite grown-up all of a sudden!
And that one fellow has horns that go on for miles! 😮 😀
The lane photos AND the photo of the pony and the autumnal tree…spectacular! 🙂
The wholesome cottage pie sounds soooooooooooooo delicious! Wholesome pie always beats out worn-out pie! 😉 😀
HUGS!!! 🙂
Thanks very much, Carolyn 🙂 X
The photograph of the backlit tree is simply lovely. I’m not so sure I’d like to be walking down a country lane and meet a huge pig, though. I think that they’re quite a frightening animal.
I spotted the potential for that tree photograph as we drove past – got out, walked back and snapped it – by the time I had returned to the car, the pony was cropping the grass alongside it. What is frightening about the pigs is the speed at which they move. Thanks very much, John.
The backlit tree was my favorite out of this group as well. I also agree with you about the frightening nature of pigs.
I enjoyed the woodland ramble. I couldn’t find Nugget on the one that was difficult, but I did find him on the official ‘Where’s Nugget’
🙂 Thanks a lot, Sue
I suppose congratulations are due for your emphatic victory over us in the Rugby – now let us never speak of it again! ( I would point out though that Eddie Jones, your coach was originally the Wallabies coach – i suppose that should teach us something?)
Your photos of the ramble in the woodlands and through your garden have revived my drooped spirits however and the day is looking quite beautiful just now. 🙂
I concur with John and others – the photograph of the pony and the russet tree is exemplary!
I believe you left us with a pre-emptive clue to today’s Where’s Nugget? and i spotted him mingling in with the virginia creeper in front of it and the fence.
I would have said that the middle photo would have made a Where’s Nugget masterclass version! – one for serious players only. 😉
Thank you so much for this wonderful post, as always.
Very many thanks, Bob. Don’t worry – your southerly neighbours will wallop us. Well spotted
The possibility does not cheer me up as much as you might think! 😉
You don’t think I really thought so, do you?
It was quite a thin straw to grasp I’ll grant you, but you know what they say about straws and drowning men!
That is certainly farthest from the artificial word of bipeds. Nugget is camouflaged just under the fence’s hedge, a tad left to the pole.
Well spotted, Uma. Thanks very much
I could definitely see myself strolling through that woods with the animals!!
Has Nugget picked a nest-house yet?
We are not sure of his choice, but he has definitely opted for the bird feeder nearest one of the teapots.. Thanks very much, GP
Beautiful forest scenes, Derrick! Looks like it was a beautiful day there, and I think I see Nugget. I love Jackie’s photos of her handiwork in the garden.
Thanks very much, Lavinia. Well spotted
Such a beautiful place! And those animals!
Thanks very much, Laurie
My eyesight must be getting bad. I thank you’re going to have to start a ‘Where’s the hanging basket?’ game for the likes of me.
🙂 That reminds me of a now rather famous friend who, when asked to read the top line on the eye test board at primary school asked, “what board?”
I found the ‘unofficial’ Nugget faster than the official one! … the backlit tree is one of my favourites of this bunch too, but who doesn’t love the furry-faced close-ups? 😀
In case I haven’t said it recently, I truly do appreciate the effort you go to with these photo essays. 🙂
Very much appreciated, Widders. Many thanks. Well spotted.
I think I found Nugget, but this was a tricky one.
Well done, Leslie. Thanks very much
I always enjoy your shots of the animals that wander within range of your camera lens. But Highland cattle—now they are something new!
Many thanks, Diane. I have just found this in the spam. There are a number of Highland cattle in the forest. You must have missed those I have featured before.
You live in such a beautiful place. I love all those animals. Nature at its best… that Shetland with the backlit tree… spectacular!! I hope to post it on my blog (giving you credit of course) with a Haiku to fit the image. Have a wonderful week, Derrick. Thanks for sharing your surroundings with us. <3 Love it!! <3
Many thanks, Jan. I look forward to the haiku
Derrick, I think I know the answer, but do the pigs and steer room freely, as well as the horses ponies doggies? And, do they ever decide to get nasty and take a run at you? You’re welcome path was a beautiful spot for doing just that, walking.
All except dogs (a WP typo for donkeys – which do?) roam freely, although field horses don’t. Pigs only during the pannage season when, for about six weeks, they are let out to mop up the mast (acorns and such). Presumably ‘deer’ is WP for ‘sheep’. Ponies can bite, but not anything I’ve experienced. Thanks very much, Steve
I really shud reed my knots before replaying. All those enforced errors make me luk uneducated and lazy. I’m always in a hoary to send but ill try to bee more caffeine gong firward. 😉
I won’t tell the children in your school crossing class 🙂
I am amazed by the close-ups of those bulls with their fearsome horns, Derrick! Little Nugget is in the right part of the photo, perched on the branch below the fence.
Thanks very much, Dolly. Well spotted
Very welcome, Derrick