This morning the temperature plummeted, as did rain until after lunch, when the overcast skies brightened and the wind speed escalated, for the rest of the day, to 40+ m.p.h.
We drove early to Ferndene Farm Shop to buy three bags of compost, a splendid, tall, lingularia; lettuce and other salad ingredients, before a short trip into the forest.
Beside Church Lane a pair of field horses sheltered under a tree.
The lane, like many others, had recently been resurfaced; hence the skid warning and speed limit. Often such signs stay in situ for months. Jackie had found a section of verge on which to park, otherwise no-one would have been able to pass while I photographed.
Further along the road we spotted a herd of deer which, as soon as they got wind of us, turned tail and huddled together further away. This did not put some of the young stags off their stroke.
As usual, galleries can be accessed by clicking on any image each of which can be viewed full size by clicking the boxes beneath them, and further enlarged if required.
Church Lane is steeply undulating. As this equestrienne reached the top of one slope and emerged from the gloom, even though Jackie was driving very slowly, her horse fell into a panic. My chauffeuse stopped the car and turned the engine off, thus enabling the young woman to settle her steed and sidle past the Modus while preventing the driver’s side from being kicked in.
The far end of the lane emerges in Pilley where further coronavirus messages include the bus shelter with its Union flag and Stay Home messages; and the HOPE bench.
Back at home raindrops glistened on hemerocallis, nasturtium, honeysuckle, fuchsia Delta’s Sarah, and rose Hot Chocolate, to name a few.
I spent the rest of the day reading a book I will feature tomorrow.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s spicy lamb jalfrezi, flavoursome mushroom rice, and plain parathas, with which she drank Hoegaarden and I drank more of the delicious Douro
I love the forest drives! That is a handsome herd of male deer in fine form. Jackie was wise to stop the car and turn off the engine while the horse passed. Having owned a horse many years ago, I know they can suddenly spook at all kinds of things.
The raindrop bejeweled flowers are beautiful!
Thank you so much, Lavinia.
Did Jackie cook a double batch of lamb jalfrezi? I am certain that you had that last night!
This is our third night – and there is more in the freezer, Andrew. 🙂 Thanks very much.
Good job you like it Derrick!
Reading is a perfect activity for such a gloomy day – especially after your interesting drive!
Thanks very much, Anne.
Lovely shots.
Thanks very much, Rupali
Great forest sightings, Derrick. The bad weather doesn’t seem to keep you and Jackie at home. ?
Whatever the weather it is part of the day is the way we look at it. Thanks very much, Sylvia.
Very important especially when you live in England. ?
As you well know 🙂
Regardless of the weather, I am so lovin’ the silhouette photo of the horses, the heard of deer and the lone rider in the haze. It’s a shame the car caused a stir with the mount, but glad it all worked out.
Yes – the young lady was very grateful. Thanks a lot, GP.
Beautiful! Lucky you got such great animal pics.
Thanks very much, Eurobrat
I so miss venturing in the forests. Your trips bring so much light.
Thank you very much, Gary.
I’m glad the rain stopped long enough for you to venture out. We have a severe thunderstorm watch right now and for the next few hours, though right now the sun is shining through the clouds. I saw an adorable fawn the other day, but I’ve never seen a large herd like that! I’m glad things worked out with the horse and rider.
Those glistening flowers are beautiful.
Thank you so much, Merril. Good luck with the storm.
Thanks, Derrick. It never came. It just stayed hot and humid.
Ah
That’s certainly a curious looking herd of deer, Derrick. I’m glad the weather improved for you to get out and entertain us! Great shots!
Thank you very much, Jill.
Your forest drives photos are some of my favourites!
All of the deer are so dear!
The little “Stay Home” homemade signs are great!
Your photos of the horses are spectacular! Love the B&W ones bestest!
You and Jackie are wonderful to kindly, and helpfully, share the road with the rider and horse.
Enjoy your read and I look forward to hearing about it tomorrow!
The HOPE bench reminds me of a quote: “Do not forget to hope and happy be.” – John McLeod
(((HUGS))) 🙂
Thank you very much for these lovely comments, Carolyn. X
Well, at least the rain saved the Head Gardener from having to water the garden again.
🙂 Indeed. Thanks very much, Sheree.
For artistry, the two black-and-white horse photos are the stand-outs. I’ve never seen that many deer in one place before!
Thanks very much, Liz. The profile one is my own favourite. There are a few spots where deer gather, but that was a new one.
You’re welcome, Derrick. The profile one is very striking.
The herd of deer was quite treat, whereas the rider coming out of the gloom must have been quite worrying for the sake of your car as much as for her.
Thanks very much, Tootlepedal. It was a bit.
Beautiful photos! I’ve never seen that large a herd of deer.
Thank you very much, Beck
Lovely
Thanks very much, Flow.
Dramatic silhouette shot!
I’m pleased you liked that one, Arlene. Thanks very much.
I love winding roads, horses, deer, and the hope bench. The nervous horse looks like a beauty. It was good of Jackie to turn off the car. I’m so glad things worked out okay.
Thank you so much, JoAnna. I think both horse and rider were quite young.
What a welcome break from the heat, Derrick ❣️I enjoyed your captures from the forest?
Thanks very much, Val.
The black and white horse silhouettes are stunning, as are all the deer photos, with their horizontal composition. Thank you for the red rose, Derrick.
And thank you for these comments, Dolly.
My pleasure, Derrick.
great collection of photos! the herd of deer shots are magical! 🙂
Thank you very much, Lola
Wow look at those fears so beautiful.
Where I live is a small country town full of cows, horses and deers.
I love it, the country life is beautiful and quiet a way to unwind the mind.
Beautiful photos
Hope you and Jackie have are having a good weekend.
I’m feeling alot better thank God.
I’m so pleased you are feeling better. (I have just asked, on another comment, how you are – so you have answered 🙂 ) Thank you very much, More
Beautiful flowers, horses and lots, I mean really lots of deer in velvet: what could be better? Why, nothing! Great post, Derrick.
Thank you very much, Maj.
That was a lovely tour. All that the equestrian needed was to wear a low slung hat and a dark cape to complete the drama! Those messages are cute and powerful, as is the herd of deer. The rain drops over the flowers make for an exotic spectacle.
Thank you so much for these careful comments, Uma
Deer porn ! I’m shocked.
🙂 Thanks very much, John.
I enjoyed viewing your wonderful photos of the deer herd Derrick…
Thank you very much, Ivor
Lovely to see the Fallow Deer – the one I spotted here a short while ago was a red deer as are the ones I’ve seen in the fields. nearby.
What a photo opportunity – You must have been delighted.
We were. Jackie spotted them. 🙂 Thanks very much, Sue
Adorable
Thanks very much, Alex
Love the herd of deer. Hope today is a good day.
Thanks very much, Mrs W.
Your welcome.
Light of any kind is good, my friend, and these photos are great!
Thanks very much, Ann
What a stunning herd of deer ? Stunning photos Derrick!
Thank you very much, Ribana
Personally, I prefer the weather we’re currently having. So much more atmospheric ?
Indeed. Thanks very much, Helen
All those deer! Must have been quite a sight.
They were. And they didn’t go too far away. Thanks very much, Laurie
Oh my, those young stags were quite busy, weren’t they? That was an amazing collection of photos. An impressive herd! And then you posted those wonderful pictures of your amazing flowers… hemerocallis, nasturtium, honeysuckle, fuchsia Delta’s Sarah, etc. Soooo beautiful. I am in awe. Thank you, Derrick!
And thank you for the appreciation, Jan.
I think you admire horses/ponies….did you ride at some time in your life, Derrick?
I’ve never ridden, Cynthia. I just enjoy the fact that they roam around and are such peaceful looking animals. Thanks very much.
Well matched, then–peaceful and amiable strong creatures, all of you
🙂 X
Deer oh deer.
🙂