I had managed, by a rather cumbersome method, to solve my problem of being unable to send readers links to earlier posts after WordPress’s recent developments. SueW of https://weeklyprompts.com/2021/03/22/changes-to-the-wp-admin-navigation-revised-support/ then published a much better solution, for which I thank her.
Early on this bright, sunny, morning Jackie drove us to Ferndene Farm Shop where she stocked up on fresh provisions while I sat in the car with plenty of time to photograph
this colour-co-ordinated woman selecting six pots of tete-a-tetes through my passenger window. Each one was carefully selected by picking them up, carefully examining them, retaining some, and replacing others.
Afterwards we continued on a forest drive.
As I stepped out to photograph this beautiful landscape, I immediately came upon an unsightly spread of fly-tipping.
I looked down upon a pair of separated ponies grazing on soggy terrain.
Towards the Thorney Hill end of the road I again stepped out to photograph the landscape dotted with ponies who were very quickly to surprise me by following each other
up the slope, off the gorse-laden moorland and into the road along which they clopped past me to
drink at an extensive winterbourne pool.
Completely oblivious of the steady flow of traffic, further waves of ponies gathered from all directions with the one purpose of slaking their thirst.
At one point a trio of bays advanced through the gorse behind me. They were not going to stop. I realised I was standing on their trail beside the trough, and just had time to scramble off it, turn, and photograph the leader before they get their heads down to slake their thirsts.
Stragglers, through which vehicles slalomed their way down, continued to climb along the road, taking their turns to drink.
Once satisfied, some groups wandered off towards Thorney Hill; others remained to chew gorse.
Along Tiptoe Road I stopped to photograph a pair of kids on the far side of a field. As I returned to the car, their owner, the very friendly Lizzie Knight, approached and invited me in to make more photographs. Her pets were just four days old and independent enough to sample anything that looked edible. As always, clicking on any image will access its gallery, and further clicks will enlarge the pictures.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s flavoursome chicken and vegetable stewp and fresh crusty bread, with which she drank Hoegaarden and I finished the Mendoza Red Blend.
More lovely landscapes, and a cute pair of kids. Color-coordinated woman is amusing.
Such lovely images of the beautiful shaggy ponies and inquisitive young kids 🙂
I wonder if that very smart shopper has a red pair of glasses & cherry red coat for when she fancies red tulips – perhaps next month…
In my dreams, one day I will be equally coordinated – Perhaps I will ‘wear purple’, and buy violets!
Fly tipping is such a strange thing to do – I do hope that those responsible soon realise the beauty of the landscape, and enjoy it for what it is, going forward. So sad to miss out on that pleasure.
I’ll keep an eye out for the red outfits. I can definitely picture you as Jenny Joseph. Unfortunately we have fly tipping everywhere, don’t we. Thanks very much, Emma.
I wonder if the word goes out ‘time to drink!’ that makes the ponies wander down to the water source at the same time or if, upon seeing some move that way others think, ‘I might as well have a drink too now’. Fly-tipping is a new term for me. Here we simply call it illegal dumping and in places this is horrendous.
I think the illegal dumping is ubiquitous, Anne. I do often wonder how the animals communicate. Thanks very much.
The kids are so cute, Americans call them Kids too. ?
🙂 Thanks very much, John
Hi derrick – so much to like here
but my top photo is that opening one
oh my goodness is it wonderful – the yellow of the glasses and the color of the daffodils – and then the scarf and down look and your words describing it
— and this lady just whispers creative and colorful
–side note – I might also like it extra because I just wrote my first poem of the year – called “when the daffodils fade” –
and so this was right in the same theme
So pleased it resonated with you, Yvette. 🙂 Thanks a lot
WoW!! I know you didn’t do this post just for me – but it sure felt like it!!!!
I knew it would, GP. Thanks a lot
Lots of delightful animals in this post. Very obliging of the color-cordinated woman.
Thanks very much, Laurie. 🙂
I was confused by “fly tipping” at first. I thought you meant the ponies were covered by flies. ?
It makes me so angry though.
So many ponies! Those little kids are adorable.
Thanks very much, Merril. Our term for illegal dumping.
?
Gosh, so many thirsty ponies. I loved the little kids. Makes me want to get a couple as pets. 🙂
Thanks very much, Jill. 🙂
The ponies are busy today! Beautiful photos of them livin’ life! 🙂
And OHMYGOSH!!! the kids are so cute and sweet!!! 🙂
That lady IS stylin’! 😉
(((HUGS))) 🙂
Thank you so much, Carolyn X
Wonderfully fascinating how all the ponies are congregating at the water hole at the same time Derrick…
An amazing ritual, Ivor. Thanks very much.
How nice to meet a helpful goatherd. The stream of horses was very impressive.
The goatherd was very friendly. I had got back into the car as she wandered over, so I got out and crossed over to explain what I was doing. I didn’t need to before being invited in, and gave her one of my cards, telling her she could take any pictures off the post. We had never been at the pony site at that time. Perhaps it is a regular event. Thanks a lot, Tootlepedal.
You may be right about the drinking routine. Will you go back and check?
Will do, if we get out that early again. 🙂
Baby goats! Those are so, so cute.
They were. We were amused at such early evidence of the climbing instinct. Thanks very much, Sheree.
I would’ve been tempted to take one home!
It helps to know that they tend to grow up smelly – like their fromage 🙂
Not a suitable house pet
I love the thirsty ponies and my image of you jumping out of the way of focused ponies on a water mission is a comical one.
Thank you very much for the pingback, always appreciated. ?
I’m always pleased to amuse, Sue. Pingback well deserved.
Thank you so much, Derrick
Wonderful horse photos in their ‘wild and untamed’ English life style?. Hood thing you moved before the horse moved you. A big fellow, and beautiful!
Thanks very much, Steve. Discretion seemed to be in order 🙂
A wonderful selection of ponies, Derrick, and I enjoyed Lizzie’s baby goats! They are quite precious and precocious, and start getting into mischief soon enough. 🙂
Indeed, Lavinia. I was amazed at how young the goats were. Thanks very much
The ponies were certainly out in force!! I got a kick out of the goats. A colleague of mine has a farm, and last week saw a large number of kids being born. She brought eighteen of them into her house to nurse them, and we could hear them bleating and carrying on during Zoom meetings.
Fascinating noises off, Liz. Thanks very much.
You’re welcome, Derrick. I couldn’t stop laughing during those meetings.
🙂
Some of the ponies must carry mobile phones because they all seemed to respond to the call from all different directions.
They certainly do. I often wonder how they communicate, John. Thanks very much.
I scrolled up and down to find the “fly tipping”. I’ve never heard of it but then realised it was illegal dumping of rubbish.
I love this herd of coloured ponies.
Thanks very much, Chrissy. I usually omit such vandalism, but sometimes it annoys me enough to flag it up.
It’s a pity the person/s involved couldn’t be named and shamed but they obviously know when no one is around. To be honest, I don’t think even if they were caught, they wouldn’t be ashamed.
I agree
Aww beautiful animals lovely nature. Perfect moments captured in these photos
Thanks you very much, More. I just had to stop myself and move on 🙂
You’re very welcome
Pretty ponies with a plan. I hope they stay safe. The one with the two toned mane is interesting. And who doesn’t love baby goats? 🙂
Thanks very much, JoAnna. Unfortunately, some of the ponies do not survive. Two more baby goats are expected next week.
This time you have wandered into deep ponyland. The open pub where they are guzzling gallons of grassy wine seems to be a favourite bonding spot. The picture of three of them lined up symmetrically as they absorb their nectar is an instant favourite. Further ahead, the four kids seem to be enjoying life to the hilt.
The open pub and all its various beverages is a good metaphor, Uma. Thanks very much.
The goats in your pictures are adorable.
Thanks very much, Mrs W. So young and already into climbing 🙂
They love to do that.
What a beautiful sunny day! Gorgeous photos!
Thanks very much, Ribana. Much nicer than forecast.
what a delight to see the ponies again, Derrick! beautiful landscape! 🙂
I love goats, wish we could have some. Great pictures.
Thanks very much, Bridget
I love the shot of the lady picking flowers. Are the horses owned by anyone or are they just wild and free?
Fly-tipping??
Dwight
The New Forest ponies are all owned by commoners with ancient pasturage rights. They roam free subject to an annual round up and health check. Thanks very much, Dwight
Interesting!
They have been there for 2000 years
Amazing!!
Beautiful, did she buy the daffodils I love them in the Spring. We wandered over to the City Farm near Canary Wharf and petted the horse until we saw the sign later that said “don’t pet the horse!” eek. Great shots of your day out.
Thanks very much, Charlotte. She bought at least six pots. We are not meant to pet or feed our ponies either, but people do.
Love the name Tiptoe Road….I imagine everyone tiptoe ing as they walk along it x
Some of the road signs lead to Tiptoe and Sway which are near to each other 🙂 Thanks very much, June