The third Test Match between India and England finished very early on this, the second, day, giving me the opportunity to stop watching Channel 4 and for Jackie to take me on a forest drive after purchasing primulas and violas from Ferndene Farm Shop.
She parked on an un-waterlogged section of the verges while I walked olong photographing
still naked oak branches against the sky;
swathes of snowdrops in the woodland, wet enough to harbour
reflective pools; as did the
soggy verges.
Fallen trees among the snowdrops bore moss, holly, and ivy leaves.
I returned to the car and we continued to Anna Lane,
on one side of which two New Forest ponies were penned in a field, perhaps for someone to train for riding;
and on the other side sprawled a lengthy pig farm.
Finally, a splendidly sculptural oak stump stands at a bend on Bennet’s Lane.
This evening we dined on well roasted chicken thighs, crisp roast potatoes, parsnips, Yorkshire puddings, and sage and onion stuffing; flavoursome Brussels sprouts and carrots, with which the Culinary Queen drank Hoegaarden and I finished the Shiraz. Bakewell tart and vanilla ice cream was to follow,
Such beautiful snowdrops. ?
You would love them, Louise. Thank you very much
A lovely journey, Derrick. Thank Jackie for driving!!
Will do. Thanks a lot, GP.
Any time G.P.!
The swathes of snowdrops look lovely. I have just downloaded a recipe for Bakewell Tart for it looks scrumptious!
Thank you very much, Anne. Enjoy your Bakewell.
Beautiful. I have pictures to post from trips near home this weekend. They will be part of tomorrow’s post.
I’m sure they will be good to see, Mrs W. Thanks very much
Thanks.
The first and the last photos are outstanding, Derrick. That was a nice tour “along the lanes.”
Thank you very much, Dolly. It was a happy coincidence that I began and finished with oaks.
My pleasure, Derrick. Coincidences are serendipitous sometimes.
🙂
That’s some carpet of snowdrops, Derrick!
An amazing mass, Helen. Thanks very much
I love the way horses are always popping up in your “moments”… your dinner sounded so delicious .. yummy!
Thank you very much, Q
Your photos of the naked oak branches against the sky are beautiful: a life-giving network.
A lovely phrase, Rosaliene. Thank you very much
🙂
Gorgeous countryside.
Thank you very much, Pat
I so agree with Rosaline. I also love the reflected images; a hidden bonus of roadside puddles!
And that tri-stump – just lovely. Oak is such an interesting tree, and can grow in such elegant, calm forms. That beautiful stump must be the home to so many other creatures!
I expect the tree is accommodating quite a few, Emma. Thanks very much.
The scenes from your forest drive are beautiful, especially those carpets of snowdrops. They do colonize an area well! I always enjoy seeing the ponies and pigs. If you come across a Gloucester Old Spot on one of your trips out, please do take a photo. 🙂
I will be happy to oblige, Lavinia. 🙂 Thank you very much
Dreamy photos Derrick, particularly those sweet snowdrops
Thank you very much, Sheree
Trees–you have some lovely ones, Derrick–interesting shots. 🙂
Thanks very much, Cynthia.
So many beautiful photos, but those masses of snowdrops are stunning!
Thank you very much, Merril. The area is full of them
Lovely!
You know I love your lanes! Great photos today, Derrick.
I couldn’t help but think of you, Jill. 🙂 Thanks very much.
That makes me happy. 🙂
I love seeing your home region through your eyes.
I’m so pleased, Luanne. Thank you very much.
Not far from me is a house and garden, a charity that sports the most beautiful garden and at this time of year opens to the public with the snowdrops display. What an awful shame that it had lost money because of lockdown, and for me as well as many others the opportunity to visit enjoy the garden and have a coffee with friends has been missed.
Such a shame, Sue. We are lucky with our wild profusion. Thanks very much
I always feel that the people who design army camps must have been brought up designing pig farms.
Well seen, Tootlepedal. Thanks very much.
Anna Lane is certainly a serene place for a drive, ride or walk.
It is, Maj. I couldn’t have gone into the bluebell woodland by car 🙂 Thanks very much
Beautiful photos. Unlike the cricket which was not beautiful
Quite so, Gary. Thanks a lot.
I like the intricate oak branches against the sky, the snowdrop closeup, and the handsome pony.
Thank you very much, Joanna
Derrick. I enjoyed the ride along you’d narrow lanes.
Thank you very much, Steve
Lovely country scenes
Thank you very much, Miriam
Lovely captures.
Thanks very much, Sherry
Those meandering lanes rimmed by shallow pools and surrounded by lattice of boughs and patches of lovely snowdrops pull me in like a magnet. Those vistas could very well be from centuries ago.
Thank you very much for such a poetic response, Uma.
Beauty above and below.
Thanks very much, Laurie
1-0 up, 2-1 down. They need to pull their socks up, and quick!
Thanks for that, John 🙂
Oh, once again, you’ve found such beauty to preserve in your photos! Thank you for taking us along the lanes with you!
So good to see the piggies! I’ve visited pig farms…and left them with stories to tell. Ha. 🙂
The snowdrops are lovely!
The stump is artistic and you captured it’s texture beautifully!
(((HUGS))) 🙂
Thank you very much, Carolyn X
W o n d e r f u l, Derrick!!!
Thanks very much, Daniel. Sunny here today
Snowdrops are a favourite of mine. They mean Spring is just around the corner.
Yes. Thanks a lot, Andrew
The woods provide wonderful subjects. Excellent job Derrick.
Thank you very much, Rupali
I have several favorites out of this group, starting with the snowdrops in the header Dragon Lane with its curves and bank of clouds, the black-and-white oak branches against the sky, the black-and-white reflections in pool, and the chestnut pony with the intelligent face.
Thank yo so much, Liz. That is quite a good score 🙂
You’re welcome, Derrick. 🙂
Such beautiful photos Derrick! ?
Thank you very much, Julie
Those carpets of snowdrops are magical! ?
Thank you very much, Ribana
How wonderful the snowdrops look! I also liked the trees and the photographs of the reflections on water.
I’m so pleased to hear from you, Geetha. I was a bit worried because of Covid. Thank you very much.
Thank you for your concern Derrick. I had covid and pneumonia. I had assisted breathing during my time at the hospital but am feeling much better now.