Despite our recent sunshine The Head Gardener remained convinced that Jack Frost had not yet kept his icy fingers out of reach of the garden.
Early this morning she took her camera outside to prove her point.
Later, Callum of Metro Rod brought his specialist camera to investigate a blockage in the drainage to our septic tank. His diagnosis was that the tank needed emptying. There was no additional obstruction. We are normally on an 18 months rolling cycle for clearance, yet it is only nine months since it was last emptied. I telephoned CSG, increased the frequency of the pump out, and booked one for next week.
The temperature was warmer this afternoon when we drove into the forest.
Blackie, photographed by Jackie,
and Splash, by me, two Highland bulls to whom I have been introduced, with their herd, occupied the green at Bramshaw. After a good scratch the red bovine let me know what he thought of me.
Among the others on which I focussed,
one sported a mud pack by rubbing the grass of well-placed mound.
Jackie also captured me at work, refusing to accept that it was a portrait of the muddy cow I was making, and not the other creature’s bum.
Moving on to Nomansland, an assortment of ponies were employed on keeping down the grass in the cricket outfield.
Today, most primary schoolchildren in England, have returned to school after the latest Covid-19 restrictions.
Those in the village of Hale share their playing fields with ponies on the green. The school bus driver had to shift the pony from the path in order to pick up some pupils. Meanwhile families gathered, safely distanced, to collect their charges. School was out.
I believe this was a herd of English White cattle on a hillside outside the village.
Primroses now line many of our verges, like those beside the field above, beyond which
stretch extensive landscapes.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s spicy pasta arrabbiata, and tender green beans, with which she finished the Sauvignon Blanc and I drank Primitivo Solento 2019
Jackie’s camellias are even more beautiful today than they were yesterday!
Our chickens water troughs are just as frozen as your poor fountain – the sun will have to get defrosting, then powering it up again.
The English Whites look so much more refined than their beautifully shaggy northern relatives in their glossy, fine winter coats. Perhaps it’s ok if the warm weather holds off a bit!
Thanks very much, Emma, for that quick, thorough, response. It was 10c here this afternoon, which is OK
The picture of the frozen tulip is interesting and I just love Highlands, so this post was a treat.
I’m pleased, Bridget. Thanks very much.
The camellias are fabulous!
And all the wildlife look very photogenic.
x
Thanks very much, Melanie X
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There is sure to be another frost, no room for complacency.
I once had a septic tank that I never emptied in 10 years. As few chemicals as possible is the way to let it deal with itself naturally.
Wow on the tank success. Thanks a lot, Andrew
Those Highland cattle are majestic. I hope the Head Gardenerās hard work has not been undone by Mr Frost.
All will be well, Sheree. Thanks very much
Good to hear
The pink fcamelia is lovely, despite the frost. I enjoyed the landscape photos, Derrick.
Thanks very much from us both, Dolly. I’m pleased you liked the post
You are very welcome, Derrick.
Now, unless my memory is playing tricks, the cricket field at Nomanslnd has a war memorial or something similar on the outfield, so local rules apply and if your shot hits it, it counts as a two,a sort of shortened boundary. The bowling umpire it to turn to the scorers and āgive them a Vā to indicate with two fingers what has been awarded. One of the many eccentricities I enjoyed playing in the New Forest league circa 1974-76.
Yes, the memorial is there. https://derrickjknight.com/2013/09/15/symbols-of-england/ Thanks a lot, Geoff
The Highlands are wonderful to see. Many of our cherry trees are budding, but I’m worried we’ll have a hard freeze. Fantastic photos today!
Thanks very much, Jill
That camellia is beautiful, even with the frost. There was frost on my car this morning, but we’re going to have spring temperatures later this week.
So many wonderful photos. I love the bulls, and I think that cow was giving you the eye. The white cattle photo is beautiful.
I can’t imagine going to school and sharing fields with ponies. I wonder if those kids realize how fortunate they are? š
Thanks very much, Merril. We were just discussing that very topic about the children’s good fortune. Jackie watched a child of about four walking towards the school without giving the ponies a glance.
I still remember that the place where I went to first grade had a pony. It seemed amazing.
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We had a new septic tank fitted at the end of last summer, we were told they only last around twenty years. Itās forty five years today since we moved into this house and in all that time we never replaced the tank. No idea how long before that it was fitted.
Incidentally, we have ours emptied every two years. My husband and I and Five children lived here, toilets flushing, a washing machine and dishwasher on the go every day, sometimes twice, the nightly baths and morning showers, but we never had problems.
During the last couple of months our new tank has backed up a couple of times due to the excess rain, the water could not soak away quick enough. We now think we should be digging a ditch so that the rain water from the fields flows in another direction.
Thanks very much, Sue. Our tank must be nearly 100 years old. The rain may have contributed to our problem this year – and our water table is very high.
I imagine you are correct about the rain.
A fine selection of international cattle in today’s post. I liked Jackie’s frosty pictures.
Thanks a lot from us both, Tootlepedal.
I wouldn’t like to come face-to-face with those bulls.
They are so docile, Rosaliene. Thanks very much.
Really? They must be a different breed from the ones we had in Guyana.
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Jackie’s frosty flowers are beautiful, although I am sure the frost damage showed up later in the day. The mornings are still cold here, too. It was down around freezing this morning. It’s been a mixed weather day, with sun, blue sky, rain and wind squalls, and now a few patches of blue again.
The ponies and cows enjoying the sun, and Derrick trying to photograph the muddy cows, made fine photo subjects. Thank you both for your photos from the day! The English White cattle are new to me. If you ever get a closer view of them, please post.
I’ll get a closer shot of the cattle next time we see them, Lavinia. On this occasion I wanted to show them in the context of the landscape. We are due three storm days from tomorrow. Thanks very much from us both
All so lovely and interesting
Thanks very much, Drew
I have four favorites out of this offering (in no particular order): Frosted camellia by Jackie, English White cattle on hillside, and the last two landscape photos.
Thank you very much, Liz. That makes each of us happy
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Looks like Jackie had fun with the camera. I hope some of the blooms survive the frost. The highland bulls are fascinating. I wonder if they are as fierce as they look. Shaggy ponies are probably more my speed.
Thanks very much from us both, JoAnna. I had no fear wandering among those fearsome looking beasts. They would not be allowed to wander were they dangerous.
I suspected as much. Thanks for the confirmation that the bulls are not dangerous.
Mr Jack Frost have been caught, well, frost-handed by Jackie, as has been Blackie further down the tour. The visit to the village of Hale was refreshing, and that is a lovely header. They make for fine groundsmen, those ponies.
The ponies are indeed excellent groundsmen, Uma. Thanks very much from us both
Both of you take wonderful pictures.
Thanks very much from us both, Mrs W.
Your welcome.
Fabulous picture of the close-up of the bulls. One to frame.
Thanks very much, Laurie. I love your ‘One to frame’ comments, but our house isn’t big enough š
Right? So many pictures, so little wall space. š
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I enjoy the variety of photographs you publish and like the way your eye and Jackie’s complement one another. My favourite – not necessarily from a photographic point of view – is the eponymous one: school is out. There is a primary school nearby and, after a year of silence, I feel joy surge through me at the sound of children’s shouts and laughter – especially the laughter. A cricket field for the senior school is further down the hill and, again, I love hearing the thwack of bat and ball – and on late afternoons, the skirl of bagpipes floats through the air. Schools are open and that youthful energy is zinging through the air!
An eloquent response describing all those familiar sounds, Anne. On this occasion the green at Hale was silent from my distance – the children hadn’t emerged yet. Later on in the summer they will be out on the grass but I won’t photograph them – parents’ permission would be in order. Thanks very much, Anne
Wow! Jackie is right! šø Gorgeous photos from both of you!
Thank you very much from us both, Ribana
I am happy to report that “Jack Frost” is one of the mythical figures of my own childhood which the computer game playing children of today all know about. That surprised me a little, but Jack lives on!
And I don’t suppose David Jason had anything to do with it, John. Thanks very much.
Mr. Jack Frost did NOT escape from Jackie! Such beautiful photos, Jackie!
What handsome bulls, pretty cows, sweet ponies! Hmm…or alliterated…bold bulls, coy cows, and pretty ponies! š
When school is out for the day life gets exciting! I enjoy hearing the neighborhood kids as they walk by laughing and talking on their way home. Pre-Covid, if we were home Cooper and I would walk out to say “Hey” as they love petting Coop! š
(((HUGS))) š
That is a nice image of Coop being patted. All was quiet today – the children hadn’t yet spilled out. Thanks very much from us both, Carolyn š X
the frosty camellia is beautiful! delightful photos of bulls and peonies, Derrick! i love your photo of cattle on the hillside!
Thank you very much from both of us, Lola
Some fine photographs by Jackie and loved the bull pictures you took. The ponies also look great
Thank you very much, Geetha
Welcome Derrick
Love your flowers and the bovines!!
Thanks very much, Val
I laughed out loud at your photo of “Splash” and your comment that he let you know what he thought of you. What a terrific picture you took of him before he let you have his opinion!! Loved the photo of the while English cattle, too. Such a serene setting! <3
Thank you so much, Jan X
Love that frosty camellia.
Thanks very much from us both, Lindsey
Thanks very much, Billy. Animals have the right of way in the New Forest. The ponies are owned by commoners with ancient pasturage rights. Here is further information: https://derrickjknight.com/2016/08/30/the-drift/
Thanks very much, Billy. The animals are owned by commoners who have pasturage rights going back centuries. The animals have the right of way on the roads. They roam freely, although generally sticking to their own familiar locations.
Thanks a lot, Billy