While I photographed Jackie pruning Wedding Day, which, with her further endeavours elsewhere this morning, provided me with more clippings to chop and bag up this afternoon,
I spotted a shield bug riding a nearby hibiscus.
Later this afternoon we went in search of the surviving entries of the Hordle Scarecrow Trail.
These entries have already featured in earlier posts.
This one, in Stoneleigh Avenue, entitled ‘Key Workers and Caped Crusaders’, suffered badly in the recent storms.
In Sycamore Road, Pierre Latour celebrated a ‘Tour de France’ victory.
Dominic Cummings’s weak eyesight excuse for flouting lockdown restrictions was displayed in Sky End Lane.
Hordle Pharmacy in Ashley Lane, normally a regular entrant, did not register this year, although these two beauties feature in the shop window.
We were unable to view two others: one was destroyed in the storms, another is a hairdresser’s submission placed outside the shop when it is open – not on Saturday afternoons.
Those who persevered with this year’s fraught event are to be congratulated.
After the Hordle tour we continued into the forest, pausing at Coombe Lane where I photographed masked horses and inquisitive cattle atop a tumbling landscape where bonfire smoke resembled a spraying waterfall.
This evening we dined once more on Jackie’s splendidly succulent beef pie; very tasty gravy; boiled new potatoes; tender cabbage and crunchy carrots and cauliflower with which she drank Beck’s and I drank Gestos 2018, a sublimely smooth Malbec.
Hilarious and truly frightening, especially Boris, although not nearly as effective an everything good deterrent as Donald.
Thanks very much, Cindy.
The Hordle scarecrows sure do liven up the trail! Wouldn’t it be great if they could scare away the coronavirus.
It would, indeed, Rosaliene. Thank you very much.
I think the first photo and the next to last one should be made into postcards to show what a lovely area that is!!
Thank you so much, GP
pruning continues and nice capture of a bug.
fun event and very relevant in these trying times! horses and cattle photos are delightful especially the masked spotted one! thanks, as always!
And thanks to you, Lola, for reading and commenting so fully.
I like the Tour inspired offering but then you’d kind of expect that, wouldn’t you?
I did, indeed, Sheree. That’s why I took two
Most kind of you
Stunning photos. The Boris one is a vast improvement on his normal look.
Thanks a lot, Gary
Jackie always glows while working in her garden. It’s definitely her happy place. Beautiful photos today, Derrick.
Thank you very much, Jill
Loved to see the scarecrow trail, especially Dominic Cummings! Well done that person.
We didn’t have one this year, such a shame.
Thanks a lot, Sue. I had quite a long chat with that person. He gave me the info on the absentees. I told him how much his entry would be appreciated on line.
This was a delightful post! Thank you for sharing all the fun, Derrick! <3
And thank you, as always, Jan X
Goodness, Boris is as frightening as the Donald. Great pictures. People got really creative and I loved it.
Thanks very much, Bridget
An excellent selection of scarecrows.
Thanks a lot, Tootlepedal
The scarecrows are always so creative. It’s a shame the pandemic and weather made the entries sparse, but “those who persevered” did an excellent job. I particularly liked the Tour de France. Beautiful pastoral scenes as well.
Thank you very much, Merril
Novel entries.
I love your landscape photos. Thanks for sharing.
And thank you for reading and commenting, Chrissy
I adored the simple message of ‘love’ by the scarecrows in the shop window Derrick…..
Thanks very much, Ivor
Jackie always looks so happy in her garden with you. My you two have many more years together in your bit of paradise!
The scarecrow tour was enjoyable, and as always, I love the forest horses and cows.
Thank you so much, Lavinia.
Bucolic fun–a lovely day out.
Thanks very much, Cynthia
Thank you for sharing the scarecrows. I’m always impressed about how much work goes into them. I love the photo of the horse grazing on tumbling landscape with the smoky waterfall.
Thanks very much, JoAnna. I spotted that one as we were driving away.
The landscape photos are very appealing (with the exception of the muck heap).
Thanks very much, Liz. Jackie loved the muck heap
You’re welcome, Derrick. Driving the back roads to Vermont on Saturday, my husband and I experienced our shame of odiferous muck heaps. Not exactly a delight . . .
I’m sure.
The scarecrows were just what was needed as I listen to our tired Premiere inform people In Melbourne that they have at least 2 more weeks of level 4 restrictions. In the regions, we will have a minor easing, but I agree with his adhering to the medical/scientific advice.
Sorry you are going through it again, Yvonne. Thanks very much
Those are commendable artworks that have survived the storms of the environment and the pandemic. The white cow is reflecting the exact amount of the abounding sunlight; I’d have loved to set the exposure of my camera on it!
Thanks very much, Uma.
You’re really lucky to have something like the Scarecrow Trail. It unites so many strangers in its harmless fun.
It does, indeed, John. Thanks very much
The masked horse is so beautiful!!!
Thank you for sharing Scarecrow Trail! It is interesting (and fun) to see people’s creativity and take in the messages they feel are important. A lot of people will pay attention to those and that is a good thing.
The shield bug is cute…but is he garden-friend or garden-foe?!?!
Jackie in her garden-camo… but her beautiful smile gave her away!
As long as Jackie keeps working…you will have work to do, too, Derrick! Great teamwork, you two!
HUGS!!!
PS…I was going to share some insect puns, but I don’t want to bug you!
Thank you, too, Carolyn, especially for prompting me to look up shield bugs. Apparently in quantities they can become major pests – they suck sap from plants and can eat other insects. They also stink. You almost failed to share insect puns, but couldn’t quite manage it X
Ah! Relatives of the stink bugs! Sounds like we don’t want them coming in groups to visit.
HA! I didn’t quite manage.
Before I retired many of the fellows who worked for me were from South America, particularly from Chile and Argentina and there were two great rivalries between them – soccer and wine. Based on their recommendations, and a judicious course of sampling, I developed an abiding love of Malbecs. I am happy that you too have discovered their charms.
Thanks very much, David. Always my choice in restaurants.
I love those scarecrows. Love the country feel of your photos with the horses and cattles grazing on the grass.
Thanks very much, Arlene
Interesting scarecrows and marvelously calming photos of bucolic landscapes, dotted with animals.
Thank you very much, Dolly.
My pleasure, Derrick.
I like the one of the dangerous Dominic Cummings. The sooner he is gone the better.
That was the obvious header for me. Thanks a lot, Andrew
Wonderful shots Derrick.
Thanks very much, Rupali
Those scarecrows bring on excitement.
Beautiful day out and lovely photos, Derrick
Kudos to those who persevered! That smoke really does look like a waterfall.
I’m pleased you saw that too, Laurie. Thanks very much.
That Scarecrow Trail is really funny
Thanks very much, Ribana
Perseverance pays off. How interesting to have a scarecrow trail. Loved the one with the dog.
That was so witty. Thanks very much, LL/PS