Mum was on very good form when we visited her at Woodpeckers at midday. Her thoughts and stories flowed and her hearing and sight were not too bad. We could forgive her for repeating some tales. Her one and only flight to Jersey with Jacqueline some years ago was a new one.
From Brockenhurst we continued along Rhinefield Road to the Ornamental Drive which, Easter Holidays still in progress, was visited by
plenty of walkers and cyclists.
Some families remained at Blackwater car park with its picnic benches and where the delighted cries of children playing among the trees syncopated with melodious birdsong. Of course, when occupied with ice lollies, this little group had no capacity for shrieking.
While Jackie waited patiently in the Modus, I focussed on reflections in and ripples on the stream; tangled, exposed, tree roots; the trunk of one giant redwood, and shadows of others.
Moving further along the road, my Chauffeuse parked on the verge while I wandered among dry, rustling, autumn leaves, bracken and pony droppings; fallen, decomposing, timber; and lichen coated twigs, each making their own
contribution to the refurbishment of the forest floor.
Some of the dead trees are taking a number of years to disintegrate, and there is quite a range of colours in the blending and contrasting animals.
For dinner this evening Jackie produced tangy lemon chicken with her wholesome savoury egg fried rice. We both drank more of the Sauvignon Blanc.
I love your woodland photos, they look so inviting for a walk. The animals are so cute too. ❤️
Thanks very much, John
The exposed roots and decaying trees, leaves and so on contrast with the seeming placid munching of the ponies and the activities of all the visitors. Nature works to its own clock.
It does, indeed, Anne. Thank you very much
Happy to hear that Mum was in good form today.
When I enlarged one of the “Pony in Landscape” images, the animals eyes looked closed and he in rapture with his fodder. And the white pony seemed to be to be the start of a young adult novel. (I believe I’ve told you in the past that your pictures could very easily be prompts for stories!!)
👍😉
You have mentioned that, GP. You pay such close attention to your ponies 🙂 Thanks very much
So glad to hear your mum is doing well. It must be really great to visit her. We haven’t seen Chris’s mum for almost two years. 🥲 I love all of your pony shots. They’re such beautiful creatures.
Thank you so much, Sylvia
What wonderful photo opportunities you encountered, Derrick. Thanks for taking us along.
And thank you very much for coming along, Judy
I love this juxtaposition. “Some families remained at Blackwater car park with its picnic benches and where the delighted cries of children playing among the trees syncopated with melodious birdsong. “
Thanks very much, Pat
As I walk through the woods near us. each season I notice the fallen tree branches – some huge, some smaller – and notice how they decompose and smoosh into the ground after each rain/snow/heat of summer. Life’s replenishment, indeed. Gorgeous photos of wood and animal. xo
Thanks very much, Pam. X
Gorgeous photos of the forest though I did think one of the ponies was definitely giving you *the look.*
Indeed, Sheree. 🙂 Thanks very much
OH!!! I’m so so SO happy you got to spend some time with your beautiful Mum! What precious times you have with her…and the memories made will stay with you forever! 🙂
Beautiful day to commune with nature and your photos share this beauty! Especially good to see families and children having fun! 🙂
The ponies look so healthy and attentive! Love the one of the pony with his tongue peeping out. 😀
Of course, I always love your tree photos, your reflection photos, and your light and shadows photos! 🙂 The well-weathered, well-seasoned tree “skin” is so textured, artistic even!
(((HUGS))) 🙂
Thank you very much, Carolyn. I’m especially pleased you noticed the tongue 🙂 X
I’m so happy to hear your mother is doing well, Derrick. That’s wonderful news. Thanks for sharing your gorgeous photos today! I love the shot of the children relaxing under the tree.
Thank you so much, Jill
Your trees and woods photos are so good! Thank you Derrick 🙂
Thanks very much, Sylvie
Does Jackie have an occupation while waiting patiently in the Modus?
Crossword puzzles 🙂 Thanks for asking, Tootlepedal 🙂
A good way to pass the time.
I thought you would agree 🙂
I think this is one of your best series, Derrick. I loved the little girl showing how much of her ice she had eaten is shows the gnarled old trees in such contrast.
I’m pleased, John. Thank you very much.
Your photo of the white pony in the landscape is eloquently striking Derrick..
Thank you very much, Ivor
Beautiful photography sir.
Thanks very much, Gary.
Wonderful that your mother is doing so well! I was really taken with the pictures of those ponies in the enchanted forest.
I too am thankful that your mom is doing well. The beautiful ponies seem different than most. Their earthy colors and textures complement the landscape and decaying trees. I also like the roots and fallen tree over the water.
Thanks very much, JoAnna. That is a group of colourings we have not seen before.
glad to know that your Mom is doing fine. another set of wonderful photos, Derrik. my favorite is the cute little ones by the tree trunk! i wonder what they’re talking about 🙂 🙂
Thanks very much, Lola. It looked as if an ice cream sharing suggestion was being made 🙂
Great minds again: my husband got us Sauvignon Blanc for tomorrow night as we plan to attempt to persuade the youngest granddaughter that crunchy fried fish is also a schnitzel, but a fishy one. This is just the right wine for it.
I am glad to hear that your mother continues doing well. I hope someone in the family is recording her stories for the future generations.
Fabuous reflection photos, Derrick, as well as the intertwining tree trunks and roots.
Thank you so much, Dolly
You are very welcome, Derrick.
I very much enjoyed seeing the forest and ponies, Derrick and Jackie! I see a “mouse dun” colored pony in there, brown strip down the back and frosted brown main and tail. I had a pony that color once, her coat was more silvery-grey with a brown stripe. Her name was Spring Frost.
Thank you Lavinia, from us both, especially for that identification. A good name.
And good to hear you and Jackie had a good visit with your mother. She sounds like a very dear Mum. <3
Thank you very much, Lavinia X
I’m glad to hear your mother is doing well. The ponies are so cute!
Thanks very much, Alys
Lovely pictures of those old trees. What a pity there are no real ents to stalk around the forest.
🙂 Thanks a lot, John
It is so lovely to hear how buoyant your mother is, with her happy memories and tales.
The New Forest ponies continue to surpass themselves in the ‘beauty of the day’ front!
They, and the Forest itself, are such grounding reminders of how nature and the cycle of life works so unfathomably well when allowed to.
Happy days, seeing the children on Easter Holiday enjoying the spring sunshine as they rest and regroup 🙂
Thank you very much for your careful, eloquent, comments, Emma
Another good day out. Lock down isn’t so bad!
🙂 We are so lucky where we live. Thanks very much, Andrew.
I’m so glad your mother was in good form yesterday during your visit. That’s good news.
The photos of the trees, roots, forest floor or wonderful, but I really enjoyed the ponies in the forest set. Some of them look like they’ve magically appeared there, and there is such a wide range of poses and faces–the grey one giving you the eye, the brown one looking goofy with its tongue out, and the white one, obviously nobility. 😏
Thank you very much, Merril. You have described the pony expressions so well
You’re welcome. 😀
I love all the contrasting shades of brown in the pony photos. One of the ponies looks like quite the coquette!
Such a range of landscape blending colours we have not seen before. The coquette, I like 🙂 Thanks very much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick.
I enjoyed the ‘pony pics’. And the woodland shots are fascinating,
Thank you very much, Sue
Beautiful photos. Have a great weekens.
You too – if you have one 🙂 Thanks very much, Mrs W.
We are home. Had a nice evening relaxing in all the work.
A lovely post, Laurie – but, then, I would say that, wouldn’t I? Thank you for the mention. Jackie says she should bring her owls in over winter, but gets away with not doing so. Some of them also have solar lights. You will know that she also has dragons in the Dragon Bed. I liked the Sara Kays video and certainly hear the similarity to Joni Mitchell.
Photos of tree barks are fascinating.
Thanks very much, Walter
The ponies are interesting, but I really love your shots of the rippling waters and the trees and their roots.
Thanks very much, Janet
I never tire of seeing those ponies. Your closeups of their mane and tongues are such fun! The woodpecker ridden tree was fun to see, too. I’m so glad you and Jackie are getting out and about, Thank you for sharing, {{{Derrick}}}. Have a great weekend. <3
And thanks to you, with reciprocated good wishes, Jan X
I like it when they leave the dead trees to rot. Good for the soil and interesting shapes. Love fungi on them too.
And they probably nurture creatures we never see. Thanks very much, Sherry
Yes indeed
Dead trees. One would wish they lived forever. But, new ones grow.