Late this morning we visited Mum in Woodpeckers where she continues to thrive. This time she availed herself of the blanket provided.
Afterwards we drove into the forest for a picnic in the car.
The day was cooler and overcast. From the bridge on Rhinefield Road I obtained enough light to photograph reflections in the stream.
Still host to a small holly tree, the toppled ancient oak at Bramshaw has now been completely cleared away,
with the exception of fallen leaves now camouflaging foraging wagtails.
A pair of donkeys leaning beside a brick wall watched
a couple of Highland cattle pondering their next move. I have often photographed them before, but not until today have I been formally introduced to Splash and Blackie. They stood aloof while a young lady did the honours.
As I returned to the car they heaved their lumbering bulks onto the tarmac and with swaying gait set off in the direction of Furzley Common which was our destination. Fortunately Jackie was able to negotiate our way round them.
We parked beside a stream and settled into our lunch when
a regular clop of horses’ hooves alerted me to the approach of a carriage and four passing a herd of cattle who were themselves soon to feature in our story.
Having journeyed a lumbering mile from Bramshaw the two Highland cattle approached and set up a regular lowing. “I wonder if they are going to join those cattle over there?”, I mused.
They were, indeed. In Splash’s case somewhat vigorously. It is not just the local flora that are confused about the season.
As I was about to return to the car a quartet of portly porkers approached. I was forced to attempt to evade the attentions of the Gloucester Old Spot. Jackie’s cackles from within almost drowned the snorting slobbering of my new admirer as she raised her dripping snout for a kiss. I was scared of this, but even more scared of her feet as she rounded me beside the car door. Being trodden on by a creature weighing up to 280kg was no joke. In the circumstances I thought my Chauffeuse was a little harsh.
This evening we dined on crisply roasted chicken thighs, sage and onion stuffing, parsnips, and Yorkshire pudding; piquant cauliflower cheese; creamy mashed potatoes; firm carrots, peas, and Brussels sprouts, and tasty gravy, with which we shared the last of the Rioja.
Love your closeup of the tree trunk. During my days as an artist and high school art teacher, I did several studies of tree trunks. So many tales to share with humankind.
Quite so, Rosaliene. Thanks very much.
Fun to see the livestock Derrick. And the four up team was impressive. A local concession for hire?
Could be, Maj, but I’ve never seen them before. Thanks very much.
Highland cattle always fascinate me. They’re big yes, but they look dignified and proud too.
Thanks very much, Chrissy
Gorgeous gallery of photos and I’m glad you managed to avoid the advances of Miss Piggy.
Thanks very much, Sheree 🙂
What an adventure to read about. I always enjoy your photographs and today’s choices are inspirational.
Thank you very much, Anne
a veritable cow porn channel; you’ve captured the essence, for sure.
🙂 Thanks a lot, Geoff
Splash and Blackie were certainly entertaining! I love the photo of your mom’s hands, and I like the holly growing out of the oak stump.
Thank you so much, Crystal
I am glad to see your mother in fine spirit, Derrick. Very expressive close-up of her hands.
Thank you for the black and white’ I have enjoyed it, as well as your fabulous reflection photos.
Those two shaggy bulls look anything but friendly, but I guess the lady cattle found them amorous.
Thanks very much for these comments, Dolly
My pleasure, Derrick.
I’ll leave the HIghlanders to their games and pause at the reflecting pools.
🙂 Thanks very much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick. 🙂
You did well to spot the wagtail.
It was the movement that alerted me, Tootlepedal. Thanks very much.
I had to do a second and third look to find the wagtail. At least I know what it is now. A year ago, that wouldn’t have been true — another bit of education gained through your blog!
Thanks very much, Linda. A reciprocal experience 🙂
glad to know your Mum continues to do well. delightful images and the Highland Cattle Blackie has this ‘don’t mess up with me’ look! 🙂
Thanks very much, Lola. 🙂
I would not like to be trodden by a big porky
I would rather the gentle paw of the Queen’s corgi
Nice one, Ivor. 🙂 Thanks very much.
The wonderful photos of the highland cattle made me smile.
Thanks very much, Gary
I am glad to hear your mother continues to thrive, Derrick. It is good that you can visit through the glass.
I love these forest drive photos. The adventures of Splash, Blackie and the Gloucester Old Spot brought smiles, although I can sympathize with your concerns about pig and her drippy snout. They are not tiny creatures, and can give a good bite. I can hear Jackie’s cackling. 🙂
🙂 Thank you so much, Lavinia
It’s great to see your Mom beaming like a full moon. That stream with fallen trees across their lengths could have been from an era thousands of years ago. Portraits of the bulls are excellent.
Thank you so much, Uma
There’s always an earthy adventure of one kind or another where you live. Thank you for sharing them with us! I’m happy to see your Mum is thriving.
And thank you very much, JoAnna.
As I have observed before, never a full moment with all those animals. Also nice to give Jackie a chuckle. 😉
Thanks very much, Laurie. I’ll forgive the typo 🙂
Oh, rats! How I hate those typos!!!!!
🙂
Excellent photos, the Highland Cattle are magnificent. I absolutely love the shot of the 2 walking to the Common. The pigs seem to be attracted to you Ha!!
Thank you very much, Sue. I had no idea where the cattle were off to 🙂
I’m so glad you got to visit with your beautiful Mum!!! I’m so glad she looks so healthy and happy! 🙂
What a wonderful day…beautiful nature, wonderful creatures, an OH MY! show!, a picnic, an almost-kiss from a spotted beauty (I think she wanted to thank you for not having pork for dinner), and laughter for your Chauffeuse! 🙂
There are a few photos there that I think I’m too young to see 😮 , so I adverted my eyes! 😀 😛 😉 HA! 😉
(((HUGS)))
Thank you so much for your fulsome comments, Carolyn 🙂 X
Glad you escaped being crushed. Thinking of the tree that was cleared away. It could have provided nourishment by being left to return to the soil. Enjoyed all the lovely photos.
Thanks very much, Sherry. All trees out in the forest are left for that reason. In fact it is an offence to remove them. This was a green in the village.
What a fun day you two had. That bull wanted to be certain you’d have a nice calf to photograph one day!
I’m lovin’ the animals roaming freely, yet here during the virus, poor mum is locked up.
So very poignant a comment, GP. Thanks very much
Lots of beautiful pictures.
Thanks very much, Mrs W
Your welcome.
You really don’t want to be trotted on by a pig!
I really like the fallen leaves picture. You have a good eye for this sort of thing.
Thank you very much, Andrew
I did not expect to see such action when I went to your post. Quite the header. ?.
I’m glad you got to see your mother, and then went on to have quite the day. What sights you see in your area. I wish there was a video of Jackie laughing at your close encounter of the porcine kind.
Thanks very much, Merril 🙂
I am so glad to see your Mum, sending regards to her.
The reflection images are wonderful.
Thank you very much, Rupali
Seasonal confusion indeed.
I remember once driving around in the Highlands to be confronted by a pair of coos that had set themselves up as a roundabout. The locals dutifully just drove around them. Apparently it happens quite often.
Thanks very much, Jessica. Here it is usually a few months away – the ordinary cattle are usually back in their winter quarters by now.
That Highland cattle are impressive ☺️ and so much activity going on there ?
A close encounter with a 280 kg creature is not a joke ?
Thanks very much, Ribana 🙂
Oh my – that’s a lot of nature for one day!
Indeed, Barbara. Thanks very much.
Happy Thanksgiving, God bless your Mum.
Thanks very much, Laleh
My pleasure.?
Not quite a quiet afternoon drive was it Derrick?
Nope. 🙂 Thanks a lot, Lindsey
Fantastic photos, Derrick. I’m happy your porker would-be suitor didn’t tread on your ties. ?