When I ran regularly across London to work I would adapt my route according to traffic conditions. This is what Jackie did early this morning as we took a drive in what we knew would be the very small window of reasonable light when she had to follow
a huge vehicle negotiating its way along Hordle Lane which was difficult enough without the Mums’, Dads’ and Grandparents’ school run. At the junction with Everton Road the large motor turned left so we continued straight on once the school crossing lollipop man granted his permission.
The stream meant to run under Holmsley Passage flowed fast over the ford. Having dropped me on the far side Jackie drove back through the water to present me with a photogenic splash.
I also pictured woodland with a fallen tree, and a grey pony more interested in us than in its relative trotting behind it.
On the moorland stretch of the road a burnished bay blended with browned bracken;
and billowing clouds soared above hazy landscapes.
There is always a large reflective pond on the left up Clay Hill.
Today a winterbourne stream provided another mirror on the right hand side.
In order for mobile phone masts to be permitted in the forest they are required to adopt an arboreal appearance. There is one at the bottom of this hill.
Pigs at pannage snuffled-snorted, as they burrowed their eager way into heaps of autumn leaves and muddy ditches, occasionally trotting backwards and forwards across Holmsley Road. The last three pictures in this gallery represent the slobbering mobbing to which I was subjected when I emerged from the car in order to photograph the mobile pork in search of a different kind of mast. It was difficult enough to dodge the trotters and keep focussed without being nipped in the back of the leg while attempting to capture the little Gloucester Old Spot. Fortunately neither my trouser nor my skin was penetrated.
The rain set in for the rest of the day after we returned home.
For this evening’s dinner Jackie produced a minced beef pie with a topping of potato slices; crunchy carrots and cauliflower; firm Brussels sprouts, and meaty gravy with which she drank Hoegaarden and I drank more of the Malbec.
A minced beef pie is a particular favourite of mine. Gosh, you have had some rain!
We certainly have, Andrew. Thanks very much.
So much rain! And such beautiful countryside too. ??❤️
Thank you very much, John
That pig is certainly nipping! Wonderful photos of pigs and rain pools. That bay is certainly burnished.
Thank you very much, Merril
Countryside and animal life are all getting quite soggy – time to turn off the waterworks!
That would be a good idea, GP. Thanks very much
We could do with some of that rain. We also have mobile phone masts disguised as trees around Los Angeles County.
The masts seem to be everywhere. I’d happily share the rain. Thanks very much, Rosaliene
I am glad that the curious Miss Piggy didn’t cause any damage to you, Derrick. I am impressed by phone poles camouflaging as trees; very clever idea.
Thanks very much, Dolly.
You are very welcome, Derrick.
We have one of those “Let’s make this cell phone tower look like a tree even though it is so stupid looking that people laugh out loud when they see it for the first time” … things on the north side of our town. It is next to 3 commercial radio station towers that have been there since the late 40’s. Back to your piggy post: most interesting reflections and porkers all in the same post. Well done, sir!
Thank you so much, Maj. 🙂
It looks as if you’ve had plenty of rain already!
We have. Thanks a lot, Sheree
I am so glad Jackie didn’t serve up pork tonight.
Oh, I loved the incognito Base transceiver station’ (mobile phone mast) . Why aren’t they all like that?
Jackies photo opportunity at Holmsley passage was brilliant – well done Jackie, and the refective pond images on Clay hill were just lovely.
What a productive morning.
Thanks very much from us both, Sue. Yes. Pork would have been unfortunate
I imagine that pigs will eat trousers given half a chance. I liked the picture of the four together with their contrasting patterns and the splash picture the assistant photographer helped to create.
Thanks very much from us both, Susan. 🙂
Why did the pigs mob you? I didn’t know porkers could be aggressive like that.
They just rushed snuffling at the leaves and acorns – I think I was simply in the way 🙂 Thanks very much, Sue
“burnished bay blended with browned bracken” ….alliteration and a pretty photograph. Just my cup of tea. I liked the phone mast too.
Thanks a lot, Tootlepedal
I love the description of the pigs as “mobile pork.” Hopefully, you didn’t say it in their presence.
I loved that too!
🙂
🙂
I wasn’t that unkind, Liz 🙂 Thanks very much
I didn’t think you were. 🙂
🙂
The obstacles you face to entertain us is appreciated. I love the “mobile pork.” LOL!
Thanks a lot, Jill 🙂
I have never been around pigs before, but I have heard that they like to bite people. I’m glad you avoided that bloodbath. Great photos! The splash was worth it, too.
🙂 Thanks very much, Luanne.
Thanks for sharing Derrick.
Thanks very much, Brian
Having been run into by a running pig I can confirm that’s a lot of mobile pork.
🙂 Thanks a lot, Gary
That’s a lot of adventure for one day! Crossing the flooded road and escaping a nippy pig…. I love that the mobile phone masts have to have an arboreal appearance. I thought it was a tree at first glance.
Thanks very much, JoAnna
Disguising towers as trees in a forest is one thing – erecting enormous ‘pine’ trees in the suburbs where they don’t belong anyway is another. They pose as themselves on our hills. I thoroughly enjoyed all of your photographs – Jackie’s splash included. Reflections are always lovely to ponder.
Thank very much, Anne. I liked reflections/ponder 🙂
An enjoyable set of photos from your day, Derrick and Jackie! The little porkers were an aggressive mob! Something about you and those Gloucester Old Spots. 🙂 Yes, pigs can bite, and I am glad you didn’t get more than a light nip.
I also enjoyed “burnished bay blended with browned bracken”. Nice alliteration, Derrick!
Thanks very much from us both, Lavinia. Yes, I must be a bit more careful when I’m pig spotting 🙂
You photographs make my day, love where you live, even with so much of nature coming at you – the phone mast tower is intriguing for sure
Thanks very much, Catherine. I’m pleased
Jackie and Modus are actively plotting to present eye-catching photographic opportunities. Haze and billowing clouds have been captured and frozen tiptoeing the treetops. The camouflaged masts of telephone enable us to connect with the lonely planet.
Thanks very much, Uma – eloquent as usual
That nippy little piggy is lucky he didn’t become minced pork pie. Ha!
So glad your trousers and your leg were unscathed!
I wonder if that gang of pigs are called The Road Hogs?!?!
Love the hazy landscapes! And love Jackie makin’ a splash! 😀
HUGS!!! 🙂
Thanks very much, Carolyn, ‘The Road Hogs’ is perfect. 🙂 X
Prachtige foto’s … * http://www.friedabblog.wordpress.com * Amsterdam, 15 – 12 – 2020
Heel erg bedankt, Frieda
I’m glad that you got out while it was light and dry. Sorry to hear about a piggy taking a bit.
It was only a little piggy 🙂 Thanks very much, Helen
?
Nipping at you sinews? Cheeky buggers. 🙂
🙂 Thanks a lot, Widders
Watch out for those naughty nippers!
I am learning, Laurie. 🙂 Thanks very much.
That’s a really photogenic splash ?
Thanks very much, Ribana