This morning I watched the Channel 4 broadcast of the third day’s play of the second Test match between India and England in Chennai.
Today the temperature was a little warmer than of late; the weather just as gloomy yet less wet. After lunch we took a drive into the forest.
A pair of equestriennes wended their way along a pony track bordering Holmsley Passage.
At the crossroads leading the Passage to Bisterne Close, I clambered with camera among woodland with it’s bright, mossy, roots; lichen-coated branches; reflective pools and puddles on the tarmac.
There was much neighing from ponies on the move in the claggy woodland alongside the Close
which bears its own reflecting winterbourne pool.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s flavoursome chicken tikka, plain parathas, and plentiful fresh salad, with which she drank Hoegaarden and I drank Agramont Garnacha 2019, a smooth red wine.
Hi Derrick – I’m so curious about all the ponies that live free where you are. They seem so gentle – what a wonderful treat to have them around you. I can’t imagine that here – the largest animals we have (that I can see) are deer and an occasional bear (never seen one and prefer not to!). Another wonderful excursion for you.
Thanks very much, Barbara. All the ponies are owned by commoners who have ancient grazing rights, The animals roam free throughout the year. Most are gentle, but they can bite. There is an annual roundup for health checks, branding, and tail clipping.
Oh I see – that’s so interesting to me!
I grew up where Derrick is now and when I was about thirteen, there was a story of a pony being offered some food by a tourist – what we called a grockle, which may be a Cornish expression. The ‘gentle’ pony of Derrick’s description bared his razor sharp gnashers and went for the man’s hand. Said hand was swiftly withdrawn but the pony didn’t stop and his teeth were embedded in the wing of the man’s car. Now trapped the pony were berserk, understandably and the Ford Cortina suffered such damage as to be undriveable. Probably apocryphal but it worked to stop some tourists offering food to wild animals. Mind you, the only creature I’ve been chased by is a New Forest pig and they are scary!!
I first heard the grockle term from Viscount Hugh Lowther as was – now Lord Lonsdale in Cumbria.
I’m on good company clearly…
🙂
That’s some cautionary tale!!
Oh my! Yes, although we live in a semi rural area and there are a lot of horseback riders, the horses never roam free. I’ve been up close to horses a few times and their size is intimidating, so I don’t think I’d ever offer a treat to a free-roaming horse. I can’t imagine being chased by a pig – that would be scary indeed! I have been chased by a dog and that’s enough for me.
🙂
It was on the golf course t Burley.. Derrick will know where, during the acorn eating season of pannage and was hit on the rump by a low flying three iron. It thought I was the cause!!
Ouch
Poor porker
Always a pleasure to see the ponies.
Thanks very much, Sue.
Ashwin and Kohli have I fear condemned England.
Quite so, Sheree. Thank you very much.
Beautiful reflections.
Thanks very much, Byung
Your photographs of reflections are always pleasing. This time I had a close look at the moss-covered toes of the trees … they look like bright woollen socks standing out as they do among the leaves 🙂
Thank you so much, Anne
Marvelous reflection photos, Derrick.
Thanks very much, Dolly
You are very welcome, Derrick.
Beautiful moss, lichen, and reflecting pools photos, Derrick! 🙂 Especially love how the moss clothes whatever it touches. 🙂
Always love seeing the ponies! 🙂 They are a bright spot in the gloom. 🙂
(((HUGS))) 🙂
PS…”To neigh or not to neigh. That is equestrian.” 😀
Great Shakespearian parody, Carolyn. Thanks very much, X
The woods and your shots both are wonderful.
Thank you very much, Rupali
Those horses are neighing because they missed me, Derrick! Thanks for bringing them over here!
🙂 Thanks a lot, GP
Love the reflections.
Thanks very much, Sherry
I think the horses are in need of wet-weather shoes…
🙂 Thanks a lot, Ivor
Beautiful reflection pools, and that pony, too!
You can always tell the readers who’ve never confronted one of those four legged hearth rugs in the flesh. They think they’re cute. Frankly (as you know well) I think they are dangerous at both ends and, to steal a line from an Elbow song ‘only good for glue’! They do photograph well, mind you!!
As for the cricket…. *shudders…
I’ll have to get up early to catch the end tomorrow 🙂 Thanks a lot, Geoff
It looks like such a calm and serene place.
It is, Drew. (There doesn’t seem to be a comment facility on your current posts) Thanks a lot.
NO, I am slowly transitioning to Youtube.
I will post poems in the first minute of the video because i know people are pressed for time.
Thanks for pointing it out
That wood looks like a ripe place for falling into ponds and puddles. You have done well to keep yourself safe.
You are so right, Tootlepedal. As I got out of the car Jackie said “Don’t you fall down that hole”
A wise woman.
Beautiful reflections, Derrick.
Thank you very much, Jill
An enjoyable trek into the winter-wet woodlands! Those trees with their mossy toes reaching for the pools look almost Entish. 🙂 I enjoyed seeing the ponies again, too. Your forest area has a unique magic to it.
Thank you very much, Lavinia
A wonderful collection of reflections, moss and ponies. I especially enjoy seeing the ponies in the woods. Thank you for sharing them with us.
And thank you so much, JoAnna
I particularly like the photo of the tree branches reflected in the puddle.
Thanks very much, Liz. Had it not been for the neighing that might have been the header picture
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Those are very woody exposures. The description of neighing added an aural dimension to the travelogue.
I’m pleased. Thanks very much, Uma
What a beautiful, magical sound that must have been! I so love the sound of horses neighing.
It was, indeed. Laurie
Glad you were able to get out and about to share some beautiful warm looking photos to give those of us who are freezing hope.
Thanks very much, Mrs W. I’m pleased to give you hope
Thank you.
A good day for a stroll into the forest ☺️
Thanks very much, Ribana
Everything with you looks as wet as it does here. I wish Mother Nature would hurry up with that wand she waves for Spring to start. Or perhaps it’s Sucellus, the God of the Gauls, who had a mighty hammer which he banged on the ground and all the plants and trees would start to grow.
Thanks for that bit of myth and legend, John 🙂
I got up this morning to watch the cricket and it was all over!
A shame you missed Moeen’s knock
So lovely to see these ”green’ pics. It reminds me that Spring is around the corner. Here, the view outside is all white… in fact, it’s snowing right now! As beautiful as this ‘white’ world looks… I’m longing for weather where I can go out for my walks!
I hope your world is green again soon. Thanks very much, Joycee
The trees reminded me of scenes from Lord of the Rings 🙂
I can see that, Lakshmi. Thanks very much
I love your pictures, all of them.
Beautiful!
Greetings
Thank you very much Ultra