Early this morning we took a trip in the driving rain which was to continue well into the afternoon. The time span of these pictures was about one hour beginning with the first on Southampton Road just after 10 a.m.
Jackie parked beside Royden Lane so that I could photograph a tree and raindrops falling and spiralling in puddles on the tarmac.
Noticing how muddy it was, as we entered Lower Sandy Down Jackie opined that this might not be a good idea. Round the next bend we encountered a van which, in view of the activity alongside it, was not going anywhere soon and provided reinforcement of her speculation. She, perforce, backed up and performed a multiple point turn.
We turned into the Balmer Lawn carpark beside Highland Water for me to photograph more raindrops in more puddles and give my hair a thorough rinse after my earlier shampoo.
At first it was just me and the crows, but soon a family group wearing suitable gear and sharing umbrellas wandered in among the oak trees.
Out of the corner of my left eye I noticed what Jackie, from the car, had imagined was the family dog speeding to catch them up. My resident Expert on Rare Breeds identified this as a Middle White which was on the endangered list. Even though it was alone, I doubt that it was the last one on earth, or even mud.
“Look behind you,” I cried, thinking that the humans might be in danger, or at least would like to see a pig in a pool.
The animal occupied them for a while until they wandered off and it stopped
for a scratch on a post.
Beechwood Road to Bartley offered fine woodland views.
We have never seen such a forlorn group of damp donkeys as those attempting to shelter under dripping trees at the Cadham Lane corner of Cadnam Common. Autumn leaves even adhered to their hides.
A single pony sporting a leaf sticker on its flank blended well with the colours of the Common
where cattle on the road attempted to persuade us to stay a while.
This evening we dined on oven battered haddock and golden chips; green peas; Garner’s pickled onions and Tesco’s wallies, with which Jackie drank Hoegaarden and I drank Trigales Spanish red wine.
I can’t say that Ms Piggy looks particularly attractive to me. How you brave this kind of weather is still a mystery to me!
Thanks very much, Dolly. Head down and get on with it 🙂
I admire your tenacity and endurance. You are very welcome, Derrick.
🙂
Quite a damp walking day. I like your raindrops in puddles photos. Those donkeys do look forlorn–sad, little donkey faces.
Decidedly droopy, Merril. Thanks very much
Droopy made me laugh. 😀
🙂
Wow Derrick, you are certainly receiving your share of autumn rains,,,
We are, indeed, Ivor. Many thanks
October for us is usually a dry month. We’ll start getting the autumn rains in November. Your pictures are amazing. Especially the Middle White pig scratching his nose on a post. I loved it. Thanks Derrick.
Thank you very much, Paul
You certainly made the best of a miserable day with your photographs.
Thanks very much, Tootlepedal
We are told by the weather stations here, Turn Around, Don’t Drown. Good advice, great idea to turn around, Derrick!
Thanks very much, John. No choice 🙂
I’m afraid to ask but what is a Tesco wallie?
London slang explained in last paragraph of this post https://derrickjknight.com/2015/03/25/a-beach-beauty/ Thanks a lot, Sheree
Thank you! Would never have guessed it was a picked gherkin.
🙂
Haha, I was about to ask the same, Sheree!
Well now we know, it’s a pickled gherkin
🙂
What are Tesco wallies Derrick? I’m out of touch …
Wallies are pickled gherkins, Val. 🙂 Thanks very much
Got it! Thanks Derrick. Cornichons have always been a fav of mine 💛
🙂
Wallies – London slang explained in last paragraph of this post https://derrickjknight.com/2015/03/25/a-beach-beauty/
Thank you for sharing this beach beauty. So luscious and wonderful. You are such a lucky man to witness and experience so many aspects of this remarkable woman.
Bowing down to Jackie and the man that partnered her for so many years.
💕🙏💕
Thank you so much for this, Val, from each of us.
Thanks Derrick! I now know I like wallies too. That photo of Jackie basking is fab! Not many peeps can be so relaxed, authentic and beautiful 💕
You are a lucky man 💛🙏💛
True, Val. Many thanks
I know some people find raining days annoying…I find them refreshing!
Thanks for braving your walk in the rain…you got some amazing photos to share with us!
And thank you to Jackie…your wonderful Chauffeuse…who knows how to maneuver in rain, traffic, mud, animal-herds, etc! 🙂
The donkeys and the pony look beautiful with their leafy adornments! And looks like the perfect weather for piggies!
HUGS!!! 🙂
Thanks very much from us both, Carolyn X
The pig was certainly unexpected! My favorite out of this group is “Trees in Autumn.” The contrasting colors immediately jumped out at me.
Another good choice, Liz. Thanks very much
🙂 You’re welcome, Derrick.
(Smiling) I felt like I needed a towel to dry off! And yes those donkeys define the terms “forlorn” and “damp” as do all of the livestock and folks in the photos! The image of the drops in the puddles are quite interesting. Good pictures Derrick, as usual.
Thanks very much, Maj
A rainy, wet day made the best of by all, even that rare breed pig. Those posts seem to be favored for scratching. 🙂
They are indeed, Lavinia. There are some higher ones at each entrance to the official National Park. The ponies use them for “bum flossing”. Thanks very much.
Bum flossing! I will remember that one. 🙂
🙂
That pig made me smile. 🙂
🙂 Thanks a lot, Jill
Better stay away from muddy pigs 🐽🤪
Indeed, Ribana. Thanks a lot.
I bet Jackie has a lot of opportunity to practice those multiple point turns with your narrow roads. Poor soggy donkeys. I hope it wasn’t cold at least. I wonder if the pig may have been looking for a treat.
Thanks very much, JoAnna. Actually it was quite warm. The ground was covered in acorns for the pig to gorge upon.
That’s a very weird-looking pig. I’m amazed that you and Jackie ventured forth in the driving rain. I may have been tempted to stay home and read a good book.
Oh, I was tempted, Sylvia 🙂 Thanks very much.
you’ve been getting a lot of rain lately. lovely photographs despite a lot of water and i’ve never seen donkeys so drenched i feel sorry for them. the pig was a good entertainment and the ponies are always delightful with or without rain 🙂 🙂
Thank you very much, Lola
Wonderful group of pictures, from the spirals in the water to the soggy animals. Always something happening in the forest, even on a rainy day.
Thank you so much, Laurie
These are all interesting pictures of a very wet day 🙂
Thanks very much, Anne. I wish you could have a share.
I really liked “Raindrops in pool” ( I could even see a Cyberman nearest to the camera). Have you tried looking at it in B/W ? It’s one of those photographs that might look even better without colour.
Thanks a lot, John. I see you point, but on this occasion I thought the splash of colour from the leaves was necessary
What a pig of a day but I really like “raindrops falling and spiralling in puddles on the tarmac”
Living in Grimsby I am interested in your opinion about Haddock v Cod?
I can rarely tell the difference. When in Newark it was really strange to find it was cod that you had to order as you entered the chippy. Thanks a lot, Andrew.
In Grimsby, chip shops only serve haddock. Cod is considered an inferior fish because it is a bottom feeder. Another theory is that the Cod Wars with Iceland finished off the fishing industry in Grimsby so people won’t eat cod. Like you Derrick, I cannot tell the difference but I always order haddock nevertheless.
Weather and the animal life control most every move in your area!
Yep. Fortunately we are never in a hurry 🙂 Thanks very much GP.
I love that the weather doesn’t deter you all from your excursions. The woodland is beautiful.
Thank you very much, Cheryl
I bet Jackie makes the best oven battered haddock and golden chips. Yum.
🙂 Thanks very much, Crystal
Ugh, we had rains like that a couple of weeks ago, when I was working in the gardens of the monastery. I haven’t been that soaked in a long time – despite my rain gear. I feel for any land animal specie (including us) stuck in so much rain. Hope today is drier for you!
It is, so far, Anna. Thanks very much.
Well, I am just smiling ear to ear while reading your post. It’s been a rainy day here in New England as well but I’ve had no white hogs or sad-looking donkeys in my view. Just a flirting squirrel munching on an acorn while sitting on a branch near our kitchen nook windows. What an engaging post with fun photos. 🐷
Thank you so much, Barbara
Always a delight to be here. And it’s Pam of Roughwighting . XO
Of course it is, Pam. Sorry
No worries. 🤓
I don’t know where to start, so let’s begin with the weather, glorious mud! great photos.
Pigs, donkeys, ponies and even cattle, what a wonderful day – rain or no rain I would have loved to have been there,
Thank you so much, Sue
I can imagine quite a few readers being surprised to see such a large pig roaming freely so close to a family of walkers. I am sorry there is worse to come for the dripping donkeys. At least they don’t know how early in the day it goes dark now.
Donkeys have the knack of looking Eeyore-ish down to a very fine art!
Indeed. Thanks very much, Yvonne
What’s a wallie? Google tells me it’s a set of decals, which I’m fairly certain you wouldn’t be dining on. : )
The last paragraph of this earlier post explains https://derrickjknight.com/2015/03/25/a-beach-beauty/
Hah, a gerkin! : )
Thanks a lot, Widders
I loved all the shots bu was particularly taken with the ones on the main road. Ones I can never take because I’m driving.
A long way to go to rinse your hair 😊
🙂 Thanks very much, Helen.
I know all about wallies and have spent some time over the years trying to convince friends, without much success, that that is what pickled gherkins are called in London. What a comfort you are Derrick!
I’m so pleased, Clare 🙂 Thank you very much.
🙂