Our forest trip on another bright and sunny day began with
scraping ice off the car.
In a field beside an unnamed lane near Gorley Common
a sleeping pony stood characteristically with one rear foot bent was not the only backlit equine the we were to see.
Ogdens North lies alongside an unmarked muddy lane labeled NO THROUGH ROAD which culminates in a running stream of clear water.
The splendid hillside landscapes were beautifully lit when we arrived there shortly before lunch.
Autumn colour greeted our approach to the lane at the end which I disembarked and clambered over the rough terrain with its
fallen logs slowly rotting into the soil from which it sprang,
and muddy tracks tramped by hoofs of the ponies I was to walk among.
I watched thirst being slaked
by strings of ponies descending the grass covered rocky banks
onto the gravelly stream bed
to drink and dribble crystal clear water.
As I stood, like the ponies, watching an apparently amphibious cross the stream, Jackie also observed the oncoming vehicle with more alarming feelings. It was undoubtedly heading in her direction requiring her to back up the muddy path pictured above. This forced her to abandon focussing on
the pony on the bridge if favour of a snatched shot. “What”, she exclaimed, as she began reversing, “are the effing chances…..?.
The tractor tucked into the side of the road. A large Waitrose delivery van then proceeded down the hill. “What”, she repeated, somewhat increasing the decibels, “are the effing chances….? The unfortunate driver had taken a wrong turning.
I photographed a few more reflecting ponies before ascending the slope to rejoin Jackie.
Neighbouring field horses enjoyed the warmth of their rugs and breakfasts of bags of hay.
We brunched at Hockey’s farm shop then drove home in time for me to begin drafting this post before Giles collected me and transported me to the bird hide at Milford on Sea.
There we encountered gaggles of winter visiting Brent geese;
a flapping cormorant;
drinking swans;
a wandering little egret;
and the ubiquitous gulls.
As we departed sunset approached, producing vibrant reds and yellows, with pastel tinges
enshrouding the Isle of White and The Needles;
and festooning windows opposite.
Giles had also been out to lunch, so when he stayed on for dinner we all enjoyed pizza and cold meats with fresh salad.
The title made me laugh. I am so glad Jackie didn’t get stuck in that mud. I love the pony pictures – especially the reflection and that white pony with the lips.
Thank very much, Jodie. 🙂 I’m pleased you liked the lips.
Loved the lips!
She didn’t get a kiss from me.
Jackie’s remarks are so funny. I was going to write splendid photos of ponies, but then I kept scrolling, and I have to add birds and sunsets, too.
Thanks very much, Merril 🙂
You’ve spoiled us today Derrick with all those fabulous photos.
The sunset is always nice to enjoy. There are beautiful land where you live. Those ponies are adorable.
Thank you very much, More
You’re welcome
Yep, yep. I can relate – I spent a lot of time going backwards on narrow country roads being herded by large trucks saying exactly the same thing – only not so politely! Lovely wintery light shots Derrick. I’m pleased to report we have summer light today 🙂
Thanks very much, Pauline. I can imagine you responses 🙂 Thank goodness your summer has arrived.
Well, you’re looking quite dapper scraping the windshield, Derrick. Great photos!!
Thanks very much, Jill
What a great day for photographs, super captures and especially the ponies.
We seem to be sharing the same weather and I imagine you also woke up to the evidence of Jack Frost’s overnight visit.
We did. Thanks very much, Sue
LOL I’ve been in a similar situation! Try to turn around on a narrow alley road and three cars suddenly come barreling through there. Glad no one got stuck in the mud even if it was a bit hairy for a minute there! Such beautiful photos – those ponies are just gorgeous.
Thanks very much, M.B. I trust you are improving.
Sure am! In a big surprise yesterday, the doctor said my bone is healing so well that he took the cast off two weeks early! I still have to wear a big brace and can’t move it much yet, but it’s nice to be free of the cast!
Excellent
So very funny. And the photography is just staggering.
Thanks very much, Gary. Having to back up the path was a bit like one of your days. 🙂
Apart from the traffic problems, that looked like a perfect photography day. I liked the generous supply of backlit horses in particular.
Many thanks, Tootlepedal. I had to leave out a good number of those ponies.
Oh, I recognized the posture in the first photo, before I spotted the scraper in your hand! You nonetheless captured some gorgeous landscapes, animals, and birds.
Thanks very much, Liz
Lol, always beautiful photos along with your journey.❤️
Thanks very much, Laleh
My pleasure.?
Love the sunlight through the trees in your second photo from the top.
Thanks very much, Rosaliene. I got out of the car to photograph the pony and saw that opportunity.
Beautiful photos, especially the back-lit ponies, the birds seen from the hide and the sunset.
Poor Jackie! I hate it when that happens to me on our narrow roads.
Thanks very much, Clare.
Jackie! I love you!
Thanks very much, Leslie 🙂
Thanks Nana, could not believe it!! safe (just, it was very boggy.) in a dead end lane,in the middle of nowhere, not possible to be in anybodies way, and THAT crossed the river!!!!
Mind boggling what people will attempt!
Stunning landscape and wonderful pictures! Thank you for the trip Derrick!
Thank you very much, Ribana.
Lovely pictures
Thank you very much, Mrs. W.
Your welcome
Iridescent waters and skies are a feast to the eyes. What adventures you two are up to in that wonderland!
A great way to spend our autumn, Uma. Many thanks.
The photos from your day are beautiful, Derrick and Jackie. I always love the ponies, and those artistically reflecting windows at the end were interesting. Good catch!
Thanks very much, Lavinia. I am particularly pleased that you liked the windows.
Fabulous tour. Thanks so much. Glad you didn’t get stuck in the mud.
Many thanks, Peggy.
It was a close call !
I reckon.
What an image-filled day you had!!
Thanks very much, Judy. I left out quite a few 🙂
Wow! Gorgeous photos.
Thanks very much, Becky
Oh, my, Jackie! I’m so glad you got out of that effing “adventure”! That would have caused me to say “effing”, too! 😮 🙂
You are a smiley-dapper ice-scraper, Derrick!
Love the ponies/horses photos AND the reflection photos! Especially the photo with the pony’s reflection in the water!
Glad you got the spend time with Giles and the birds! I love seeing the geese in flight, the swans close-up, and the gulls!
And oh, my, oh, my! That sunset!
HUGS!!! 🙂
Thank you so very much, Carolyn. X
The most basic rule of motoring is that if you stop your car on a deserted road for any reason, within five minutes that once deserted road will become a passable imitation of the M6.
So it proved, John. Many thanks.
The black and white pony shot works especially well and I really like the window sunset reflection.
Two of my favourites, too, Andrew. Thanks very much.
Whoa! You definitely know how to make me smile during a post, don’t you?!!
🙂 Thanks very much, GP
Lovely photos again, Derrick. Some very effective back-lit shots.
Thanks very much, Roland
Phew, what a day! Love those horses, and, of course, the birds.
Thanks very much, Laurie.
Frost on the ground and iced cars – brrrr! It’s nice to see the onset of winter on your marvelous photos, Derrick. Magical sunset reflected in windows is fantastic.
Many thanks, Dolly.
LOL, I wondered what in heavens was going to transpire with your fun title 😀 Honestly, there is so much magic surrounding you there. The seemingly endless grassy hills, hidden streams, land to which ponies wander with abandon, it all seems rather surreal to me. Silly delivery man 😀 xk
Thanks very much, Kelly. We were only grateful that he managed to back out of there. X
Lovely reflections of the ponies!
Thanks very much, Helen.
wow- wrong turn?
and so many great photos here with the action!
Thanks very much, Yvette. Maybe his Satnav led him astray 🙂
yes – perhaps
Simple yet beautiful color arrangement of the sunset sky I’ve ever seen!
Thank you very much, indeed, Byung.
Derrick, this one is packed with stunning photos. What an eye you have. You made even muddy hoof prints look artistic. So many good photos here it’s hard to choose a favourite. I do love the black and white, the landscapes at the top and the great shots of birds too. That sunset was gorgeous and I really liked the reflections on the windows, as Andrew did. Of course, imagining your adventures through it all, and Jackie’s outburst in the midst of it, made it feel like I had come along. <3
Thank you particularly for these fulsome comments, Crystal. Much appreciated.