On this dismal, dank, afternoon Jackie suggested: “let’s go find some soggy ponies”, so off we drove and the animals obliged.
Foxglove and Twinkle were nowhere to be seen, for their field was under water and there was no room for them in the hen coop.
Much of the moorland was similarly submerged, sometimes with rippling windblown surfaces.
The Norleywood band of Shetlands ignored the rain seeping into their hides and blended into the bracken occasionally decorating their dripping manes.
Paddling in ditchwater, reflecting in leaf-strewn puddles, swaying onto the glistening tarmac, or burrowing into tempting hedges, their larger equine cousins were equally focussed on fodder.
This evening we dined on tender roast lamb; crisp Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes and parsnips; crunchy carrots and cauliflower; firm Brussels sprouts, and meaty gravy with which Jackie drank Hoegaarden and I drank Western Cape Malbec 2019.
The details in these photographs are a joy to see!
Thank you very much, Anne
I finally sorted out the meaning of ‘Yorkshire pudding.’ Lo and behold, they’re very nearly identical to the ‘popovers’ my mother used to make.
Thanks very much, Linda. I trust you liked them.
I loved them! Now that I know what they are, I may give them a go myself.
🙂
So utterly charming. They look happy and quite well fed!
I has been a good weather year for them, Cindy. Thanks very much.
The details in the wet hair are amazing, lovely photos, Derrick. ❤️😎🇬🇧
Thank you very much, John
Soggy Shetlands!
Yep. Thanks a lot, Sheree
The title certainly fits the content, Derrick! The full face portrait of the Norleywood Shetland is most successful in capturing the ornery look/nature of that particular brand of equine.
Thanks very much, Maj.
I think God intended their coats to be waterproof, but I imagine there is a limit to how much water they can withstand. Poor ponies! Makes you wish you could find shelter for them, doesn’t it?
Indeed – but they are most hardy creatures. Thanks very much, Jan X
Wow, they certainly are soggy!! So is England for that matter – you sure you’re not sinking? 😵
I sometimes wonder. Thanks very much, GP
It’s soggy here too Derrick. After a recent heatwave it does seem a little..wet.
Love those ponies.
Thanks very much, Chrissy
From soggy ponies of your wet paddocks, to my morning sunshine at 8.20am, and it’s a warm 23’C, heading for a much warmer 34’C.. and the land is drying up Derrick…
I hope you will get some rain too, Ivor. Thank you very much.
It will take some time for everything to dry up again. Sogginess delightfully conveyed though.
Thanks a lot, Tootlepedal
Poor fellas, but I guess they’re used to it. I’m curious, do you all ever experience drought conditions, Derrick?
Occasionally in the summer, Jill. Thanks very much
Definitely found some soggy ponies! What a lot of water everywhere.
Thanks a lot, Laurie
Mission accomplished to find soggy ponies! They looked as if they were going after some particuarly good things to eat.
Especially those in the hedge, Liz. Thanks very much
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Talk about texture! I like to think the ponies’ coats are somewhat water resistant.
They are. They grow thicker in the winter. Thanks very much, JoAnna
They may be soggy ponies but are so cute 😉
Thanks very much, Ribana
I especially love that first closeup.
Thanks very much, Judy. That nearly made the header
The ponies are adorable, even when soggy! <3 🙂
Thanks very much, Lavinia X
Super soggy today Derrick, Just for a change you look wetter than up here!
I guess that makes a change too, Sue. Thanks very much
And you found them! 😉
Love the ponies and the textures in their soggy hair! I guess everyone needs a shower once in awhile! 😉 😀
Maybe the sun will come out tomorrow!
(((HUGS))) 🙂
Thanks very much, Carolyn. We may get a bit of sun in the next hour 🙂 X
OH good! We had rain and snow and clouds most of last week..but the sun was shining this weekend. 🙂
It always looks dreadfully cruel to leave animals out in the rain like that, but perhaps if you are a Shetland pony, especially, you are bred for it.
Those and the New Forest ones. Thanks very much, John
Looks very wet.
It is. Thanks very much, Mrs W.
Water, water everywhere… It seems ponies and horses don’t mind being soaked, though.
They are pretty hardy creatures, Dolly – and not so long ago they were very short of water. Thanks very much
My pleasure, Derrick.,
Fabulous photos of the soggy ponies, Derrick.
Thanks very much, Sylvia
Ponies are in various stages of sogginess but uniform in their abandon of the elements. So Jackie’s wish has been plentifully honoured.
We could so easily have gone out in these conditions and found none 🙂 Thanks very much, Uma
Wonderful photos of those soggy ponies, Derrick. They might be hardy and fine, soaked and showered, but I imagine they’d still prefer sunnier weather.
I imagine so, Merril. Thanks very much
Ze moeten hun eigen kostje bij elkaar zien te grazen: Arme dieren! Krijgen ze géén corona-griep? Nee, ze worden niet gepamperd en in de watten gelegd … Ik zie dit nu voor het eerst: Sterke wilde paarden voor de paarden slacht, dacht ik . . . * http://www.friedabblog.wordpress.com * Amsterdam, 14 december 2020 *
Het zijn zeer winterharde dieren, Frieda. Heel erg bedankt
What a gray day. Ah!
Thanks very much, Rupali