More light rain overnight ceased early this morning. The day remained overcast and dry.
This afternoon my Chauffeuse drove me into the forest where I wandered around Hatchet Moor for a while. From the car park I walked down to one of the arms of the lake
and photographed two ponies and a foal on the far side. Jackie photographed me doing so and also produced this shot of a gull photobombing the scene.
I was able to walk over steeply undulating dry terrain, much of which would normally be filled with water. This gave me access to shrubbery festooned with
dog roses, and facilitated a closer look at
water lilies and swans.
Two foals were among an assorted group of ponies in a field at East End. One couldn’t be bothered to rise to its feet when I arrived. The other, recumbent in the grass beside its mother, did stir its stumps, nuzzled the mare, and made an unsuccessful attempt to acquire more nourishment before eventually settling for a good scratch.
The fact that Jackie was parked on the other side of the narrow adjacent lane probably averted a disaster. These two friendly boys, one carrying a small terrier, had been accompanied by a Labrador cross which shot past me, from beneath the stile beside which I stood, across the road. Another vehicle, coming down the hill, slowed in preparation for passing our Modus, otherwise it is difficult to see how the driver could have avoided a canine collision.
Back at home Jackie tidied the Wisteria Arbour and I emptied the refuse into the compost bin.
She also photographed the new obelisk she had inserted into the Dragon Bed to support the rampant Polish Spirit clematis.
Nugget, of course, put in an immediate appearance. The second picture presents “Where’s Nugget?” (80)
This evening we dined on Jackie’s tasty mixed grill casserole, creamy mashed potato; and carrots, cauliflower, and broccoli al dente, with which she drank Becks and I started on another bottle of the Carles.
Love the horses and foals — and especially the shaggy manes! Nugget dead center!
Well spotted, slmret. Thanks very much.
Nugget couldn’t hide from me, either!
🙂
The hairdos on those ponies are reminiscent of many humans during the lockdown.
Mr Nugget is proudly occupying the very center of the photo.
Well spotted, Dolly. I am one of those humans, and my barber doesn’t open again until 4th July 🙂 Thanks very much.
My pleasure, Derrick. We are all in the same shaggy boat.
🙂
Gorgeous selection of photos, particularly the ponies.
Thanks very much, Sheree.
Reading your blog is so calming. I love the photos – absolutely beautiful area and animals. Yay for averting a canine collision! And now, I want some creamy mashed potatoes!!!!
Thanks very much, Pamela. Lovely comment.
Nugget appears to be getting even more chunky! Jackie might need to put him on a low-calorie eating plan. 🙂 Gorgeous photos, Derek. I love the water lilies!
Thanks very much, Jill. Jackie has stopped feeding for the summer 🙂
Good morning from Geelong Derrick…. and Nugget’s there, centre-stage…. 😊
Good evening from Hampshire, Ivor. Well spotted. Thanks very much.
Wonderful photos. I found Nugget.
Well spotted, Peggy. Thanks very much.
I thought that the section of horse pictures was outstanding today.
I was a spectator the other day at a very similar dog/ car situation when a dog ran into the middle of the road in front of a car. Dog leads are very useful things.
Agreed, Tootlepedal. Thanks very much.
Somebody has already said this but your blog is just the most perfect calm amongst the storm
We both thought this a lovely comment, Gary. Thanks very much.
Beautiful water lilies, and my those thorns on the dog roses look absolutely wicked. Nugget likes being the center of the photo it seems, along with Mouse.
Well spotted, Maj. Thanks very much.
Beautiful as always.
Are you sure the gull wasn’t trying to dive bomb you? 😉
Foal season is a double WOW.
This morning I saw – for the first time since we moved in – a bird. He was perched on the fence checking out the bird feeder and the fruit and honey sticks we put out. Unfortunately I was too close and must of frightened him. I do hope he will return with friends.
I hope so, too, Chrissy. The gull missed 🙂
Hard to imagine a Labrador “shooting” anywhere, unless it smelled food. Must have been crossed with something a bit faster on its feet 🙂 Great pics!
Good point, Gwen. The boys did tell me the exact cross, as they did with the terrier in arms, but I didn’t take it in. The shooter was quite sleek. Thanks very much.
Love the water lilies and the foals.
Thanks very much, Leslie.
I’m so glad your Modus was there to slow down that other vehicle. A good reminder to pay close attention. I liked the swans and water lilies, and I LOVED the ponies and foals. It looked there might be foal inside one of the ponies. It’s nice to see them in the grass away from the road.
Well spotted, JoAnna. Thanks very much
There are those pink water lilies I’ve never seen! They’re quite lovely, and the mix of white and pink is especially nice.
I’m pleased you noticed that, Linda. Thanks very much.
A sweet walk today with you and Jackie. Nugget is looking very well fed. And the ponies with foals are gorgeous. I enjoy water lilies so much I would like to try to grow some in a small basin or pot of water on my balcony…:)
Ours grow in a small cistern, so you probably could, Cynthia. Thanks very much.
There is hope, then!
Derrick, is that a lake or a pond. It looks small and shallow. It’s always an adventure reading your posts.
Thanks very much, Steve. It is part of what is called Hatchet Pond, in parts a lake with dangerous currents. Bigger than it looks in the picture. Certainly shallower than usual.
Dangerous currents? Now that surprises me. Usually, currents are associated with oceans (seas), aren’t they?
I thought so, but that is the legend about the danger of swimming. Perhaps a question for your kerbside quiz?
Derrick, I googled ‘Hatchet Pond’ and found this comment posted by a tourist… ‘DANGEROUS – DO NOT SWIM
No signs saying you cannot swim, we didn’t yet we overheard and then spoke to a new forest worker who said that you shouldn’t because HORSES HAVE DIED THERE in the water which is like QUICKSAND’
Wow, but it looked very pretty.
So have humans – years ago
Yep. Got ‘im. But is there a leaf masquerading as another nugget down at the end of the branch on the post?
Baby foals, calves, kittens and puppies al have a splendid loveliness.
Well spotted, John. Yes, now you mention it, that could be a decoy leaf. Thanks very much.
Probably the Labrador cross owes its future under the sun to the roving Modus! Those are beautiful photos of swans and water lilies. You look like a hermit by the lake in that picture.
Thank you very much, Uma.
Lovely photographs thank you for sharing. We also have a South African Dog rose, being intrigued as to the name I looked it up. Apparently the leaves of the Dog rose were used to treat dog bite wounds – or perhaps rabies. The ponies and foals look adorable!
Thanks very much, healing footprints. I hadn’t known that about the dog rose.
The picture of the two boys and dog against the bank of white flowers (daisies? queen anne’s lace?) is a winner. Thanks for the visual treat!
Queen Anne’s lace, Diane. Thank you very much, too.
Hello Derrick
A little more refreshing walk, but it feels so good to walk
Yes, indeed. Thanks very much, Yoshimi.
That brown and white foal is very cute!
Indeed. Thanks very much, John.
Sir Knight, your little tales and images seem always spun from gold. Rumpelstiltskin would be very jealous. 😉 Broccoli al dente; my favorite with just the right crunch!
Thank you very much, Rose. There is such a lot of gold around me.
Well, you and Jackie have the Midas touch when it comes to gardening and food. 🤩
🙂
Beautiful photos documenting a beautiful day!
LOVE the water lilies!!! 🙂
“I have shaken loose. Like the water lily, I rest on the deep water’s surface. Not knowing the journey’s end, I rest in nature’s embrace.” Patricia Robin Woodruff
We ought to let go of fear and uncertainty and float calmly like the water lilies. 🙂
Some of the ponies have not seen a barber or a hair-stylist in awhile. 😮 😉
Nugget enjoys being the center of attention! 😛
(((HUGS))) 🙂
An excellent quotation which you have put to good use, Carolyn. Thanks very much X
Wonderful photos of the foals and ponies Derrick and loved Jackie’s take with the gull… So lucky your car was parked where it was… Or the day could have taken a different turn…
Nugget sitting pretty as ever… And your garden flourishing… We have had some much needed rain over the last couple of days… And everything is looking fresher for it..
Sending thoughts your way Derrick… Take care both of you.. 🙂
Thank you very much, Sue. And to you and yours
💕🙋
Your water lilies are blooming! Beautiful. My favorite out of this group, though, is Jackie’s photo bombing gull.
She really panned it as it flew past until she had it where she wanted it. As always you have picked a good one, Liz. Thank you very much.
You’re welcome!
In the comments, I noticed there was talk about haircuts, or the lack thereof. I have been buzzing Clif’s head with his electric razor. His hair is now very short but not bald. He likes it so much he swears he will never go back to the hairdressers. I have been trimming my hair around the edges. Doesn’t look too bad. The foal, on the other hand, looks naturally good. No hairdresser needed.
Haircutting has opened up here in Oregon. The local salon has hand sanitizer stationed outside and inside the door, along with a mandatory sign in sheet for contact information, and another bottle of hand sanitizer there after signing in. Hair cutters must war masks.
When Peter opens up on 4th July I expect a queue all round the village 🙂
🙂 Thanks very much, Laurie. Clif may feel differently in a Ma(i)ne winter.
Tee-hee! He might. We shall see.
The shaggy ponies are always a treat, Derrick and Jackie, especially those foals! The dog roses and water lilies a nice find, too. I wonder how dog roses got their name?
Thanks very much, Lavinia. healingfootprints offers this in her comment below: ‘We also have a South African Dog rose, being intrigued as to the name I looked it up. Apparently the leaves of the Dog rose were used to treat dog bite wounds – or perhaps rabies.’ I had not known it.
Thanks for the reference, Derrick! 🙂
The ponies are just gorgeous, though one mother looks to be carrying an excessive amount of gas!
I found Nugget, but only on enlarging the image.
Supper sounds delicious.
Thanks very much, Sue. Well spotted.
I missed this post. I love your water lilies, and Jackie’s photobombing gull. I glad that disaster was averted! And it was good to see Nugget.
Thank you very much, Merril.
Beautiful water lilies.
Thanks very much, Lindsey.
Water lilies and dog roses are two of my favourites.
Glad to hear that the catastrophic car-caused canine calamity was avoided.
When I was younger and we didn’t spend a lot on cars one of my friends hit a dog that ran into the road. A large portion of his front wing fell off.
Thanks a lot Quercus
I’m glad no canine collision happened!
Gorgeous photos as always! Nugget enjoys the roses 🌹 😉
Thank you very much, Ribana