This afternoon Jackie deposited me
outside The Rising Sun at Bashley, whence I crossed the road and entered the
heathland with its ubiquitous ponies
and golden gorse bound for a leisurely walk..
We have driven past this spot on countless occasions, yet I was taken aback by the
pitted hoof prints that would seriously impede my progress. Those in the pictures above were largely dry, yet most upsetting for my balance. Others were still soggy enough to suck at my shoes.
After a while I abandoned the idea of stumbling towards a little wooden bridge straddling a small flowing stream. Leaving the morass was more than somewhat difficult.
A thin band of woodland stood between the green stretch and the heath.
In parts it was soggy enough for shallow pools to reflect the trees.
Having taken a wide diversion to avoid the little bridge
I tried the pony track which was much more treacherous than it looks here.
I did not venture as far as the distant walkers at its far end.
In whichever direction I looked such walkers as there were were almost imperceptible,
until they returned to their cars.
Had I taken note of this area of mud, pools, and reflection beside the road, I may not have been surprised by the toughest terrain I have yet tackled since my knee replacements.
This pony chomping hay among the shadows wasn’t far from the car and my refuge.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s sublime sausages in red wine; creamy mashed potato; firm Brussels sprouts; crunchy carrots and cauliflower, with which she drank Hoegaarden and I drank more of the Médoc.
It’s a lonely world out there, and your photos show it as such. I hope you are not overdoing the walking, Derrick.
Thanks for your concern, Dolly. I’m going to stick to the tarmac next time.
You are very welcome, Derrick. Be well and stay safe!
I never thought about how the hoof prints could so pit the ground. Beautiful photos–I love the shadows in the final one.
Thank you very much, Merril. Mostly they create their own tracks, but here they had covered so much ground during the soggy periods.
Oh my yes! I know how tough it can be trying to walk the dried out tracks of cows – ponies would be just as bad. Though I do have to say if you are managing even a bit of it you are still doing well. Now is not the time to end up back in hospital with a wrenched knee though – take care!
Thanks very much for your concern, Pauline XX
You are an intrepid photographer.
Thanks very much, Anne
I’m sorry but aren’t you two supposed to stay at home? We’d be more than happy with photos of your wonderful garden and its feathered visitors if it meant you were safe and sound.
We are permitted to go out for exercise once a day as long as we keep our distance from others – we know the more remote areas of the forest. Thank you very much, Sheree – especially for your concern.
Ah, okay, I thought you had to stay at home.
There is some confusion now about the interpretation. Hoping for clarity soon
The hoofprints really create a treacherous terrain. Do you have any idea what the white band-like mark on the pony up top might be? It’s at the top of the right side of the neck, and almost looks like a bandage or something. It isn’t a usual place for a blaze or mark, but maybe is for this kind of pony–
These ponies are free roaming, Donnalee. The bands are reflective collars designed to make them visible to car drivers at night. Thanks very much.
Oh, very clever. Thank you for the reply. I hadn’t noticed the bands before–
Stay at home Derrick until this is over.
No walking for us today, we are in complete lockdown!
Thanks a lot, Andrew.
Glad you conquered the rough terrain and were safe as you walked!
What is that around that one pony’s neck?
Your meal sounds delicious and comforting. 🙂
<3 and (((HUGS))), Derrick and Jackie! Stay safe and well!
Thanks very much, Carolyn. I think the terrain conked me. The neck adornment is a reflective collar so that the free roaming animals can be seen by car drivers in the dark. X
Oh, that’s good that they wear those collars.
Hope you get some rest today.
Keep those knees in good working order and rest up for tomorrow’s foray. Good photos s illustrating the state of things.
Thank you very much, Cynthia. I’ll try a bit of tarmac next time. 🙂
That’s some mud! It’s good that you exercised some caution.
I had no option, Liz. Thank you very much.
We ventured down a little used track today. Well used by cows. It was a nightmare walking but the views made it worthwhile. Your photos are always a highlight of the day. Look after yourself Sir.
Thank you very much, Gary – especially for your concern.
I am sorry about all those hoofprints making the ground uneven! The ground is the same here at this time of year, too. I love these wide views of your countryside. I am glad you are getting out for some fresh air in relative isolation.
Thank you very much, Lavinia.
I think that meal was a reward for your efforts. Do be careful.
Thank you very much, Lisa, especially for your concern.
Horses and walkers don’t mix. A lone rider can wreck one of our paths here in a day. Well done for managing the rough walking.
Thanks a lot, Tootlepedal.
Glad you still can get out and enjoy the day.
Thanks a lot, Mrs W.
Your welcome.
Good to see you are out walking and exploring. Best thing for your physical and mental health.
Thanks very much, Oglach.
I admire your sense of adventure. But we do need to be careful where we step.
Yes, indeed, JoAnna. Thanks you for your concern.
Ah, those pesky hoof prints. It is always a toss up which is harder to traverse: sloppy wet and soggy hoof prints, or dry and solid prints that have no give, thus real ankle twisters! Oh, and by the way, a closer look at the horse by the gate reveals that the “odd white marking” is actually a strap.I guess the owner feels that a halter might get hung up in the fence wire or branches. Be careful out there…..
Thanks very much, Maj and Sher. You obviously know about this problem. The strap is a reflective collar so that the free roaming ponies can be seen by drivers at night.
This walk was in the league of test matches. I believe our limbs were once suited to inhabit the trees, and now have evolved to tackle the flatlands as the dominant species. The ones requiring frequent high speed escapes from life-threatening situations, developed natural shoes, or hooves. Apparently, you were about to attempt an activity not envisaged by our evolutionary instincts. I am glad you retraced your steps back to the Modus. Those trophies have enriched your chronicle, nonetheless.
Thanks very much, Uma. Wings would have helped 🙂
Oh, be careful, Derrick! The ponies are lovely. The word gorse will always remind me of Sylvia Plath. Nothing will ever change that.
Thanks a lot, Luanne.
I love the photos. I’m glad you didn’t hurt yourself walking through those areas with the hoof prints!
Thanks very much, Lisa. It was touch and go 🙂
Enjoyed your walk and had sympathy with your efforts to walk upon the churned-up ground. One of the farmworkers twisted his ankle here the other day, it really us awful to walk on. Sophie came up Yesterday for a walk in the fields away from other people and said exactly the same as you.
Thanks a lot, Sue. There is now some confusion about whether it is OK to drive to a remote spot.
So I understand. I think those of us over 70 are not supposed to leave home. You are in your own car and are not bumping into others so perhaps that’s okay.
My lot are coming here because it’s the safest place to get fresh air and let the little ones have a run around. We have a smaller paddock that the animals haven’t been in this year And they’re taking more precautions by not of coming up at the same time as each other. They’re also staying a few metres from me outside when we have a chat.
There can surely be nothing wrong with that.
Be careful, my friend. You sure don’t want to go through another operation! I appreciate what you have done to show us all what your countryside looks like these days!
Thanks very much, GP – especially for your concern. I chose tarmac today.
It looked like a beautiful day for a walk, Derrick. Watch your step!
Thanks very much, Jill
Looks very much like the mud we have in Maine. Although around our house, it’s our big footprints that are embedded and make walking hard.
🙂 Thanks very much, Laurie
You’re blessed to have such surroundings to walk in. In the city it is impossible to walk and keep social distance while attempting to stretch one’s legs
Having grown up in London, I would agree. Thanks very much, Geetha
Most welcome. Now that I live in London I see that very clearly 🙂
A very difficult walk when preceded by horse. But the latter photos showed a better path. However, any walk in the wild woods is better than concrete and asphalt.
Indeed, John. But we are being told we shouldn’t use the car to get there. Thanks very much.
How did the knees fare after their workout?
In truth they are suffering a bit. I am sure you understand, Widders. Thanks very much.
Your adventurous spirit tests those new knees! Glad you found your way back from the tough terrain. Your words flow like butter. Well written and photographed as always.
Thank you so much, Rose.
What a great walk!
Thanks very much, Ribana
Take care. And if you can’t take care can you make sure Jackie has her camera with her to record the results?
She is now getting herself ready. Thanks very much, Quercus.
Oh dear. It does seem to be taking a long time for your knee replacement/s to reach a comfortable stage. Here, those who undergo the operation all recover differently. Some bounce straight back, others take more time. But eventually, they do all seem to be able to walk normally and keep their balance. Hope it will be the same for you.