This post was written yesterday, and I forgot to send it.
This morning we visited Maidenhead Aquatics where Jackie purchased
a replacement pump for the Waterboy feature which she fitted this afternoon.
Stewarts Garden Centre is nearby, so she was compelled to forage for plants in there while I watched
the Koi carp in their pool outside the aquatics supplier. They really do look like prehistoric monsters from the deep.
We took a pretty route back home.
I disembarked at the top of Burley Road in order to take in the gorse laden landscape dotted with ponies.
Just one pony had the energy to graze the woodland beside Bisterne Close;
Others lolled about in the unaccustomed warm sunshine.
White wood anemones accompanied vivid violets, dried autumn leaves, golden celandines, and half buried fallen branches on the forest floor.
This evening we dined on Mr Chan’s excellent Hordle Chinese Take Away fare, with which Jackie drank Hoegaarden and I drank more of the Côtes du Rhône.
Good morning Derrick, how are you?
Well, thanks, John. It must be last night for you. Sleep well 🙂
You will never get a koi carp in your water feature Derrick.
Certainly not one of those, Andrew. Thanks very much
I think you should rename that Pretty Route. Cally it the reddleman road. As for carp. Just another disastrous inclusion in Australia’s feral invaders. https://carp.gov.au/the-carp-problem
Thanks very much for this, John. One more example of indigenous being best for any environment
same across the ditch in NZ where if they get out of “containment” they destroy so much…and from my reading here, it’s a constant issue…in certain parts of the country.
I haven’t seen “across the ditch” before. Thanks, Catherine 🙂
We used to have carp in the pond in our previous house. We spent hours just sitting there watching all the fish. There were even wild fish from local ponds whose eggs had been mixed up with the water plants you buy. It was so relaxing.
That is a good way to acquire them, John. Thank you very much.
So lovely to see the fountain working again!
And wonderful to see Carp too – they absolutely are prehistoric fish and combine friendliness in their behaviour with swirling bodies that look so strong and purposeful 🙂
I usually get my fix of watching carp when visiting Wisley Gardens, but haven’t been for over a year now, so it’s good to see them on your post this morning!
I’m pleased you like the Carp, Emma, and really like your description of them. Thank you very much
Prehistoric monsters are what they look like especially the dark one.
Thank you very much, Chrissy
Love seeing the monster-y fishes (your photos of them are so cool!), the beautiful scenery, the lolling ponies, and the sweet flowers-n-leaves. 🙂 BUT, I especially love seeing the WaterBoy and the Owl having a conversation! 🙂
I was on for WP for a little bit way earlier today and wondered if you were having a busy day as I didn’t a post from you. Glad to see you posting now. 🙂
(((HUGS))) to you and Jackie!!! 🙂
Thanks very much, Carolyn X
Mr Waterboy is back in business for sure. For a while I wondered If Jackie was planning to have an outdoor aquarium. Ponies appear winded atop the gorse laden expanse and present a contrast to the fish.
I’m pleased you noticed the contrast, Uma. Thank you very much
This post was worth waiting for: I enjoy seeing fish in ponds maintained by other people! I love the scenes with ponies lying down – that is what we all feel like doing the the summery heat that still invades autumn here from time to time.
Thank you very much, Anne. Really appreciated
Love the ponies! I’m glad you’re okay, Derrick. I was a little worried. 🙂
Thank you very much, Jill. I am grateful for your concern and sorry to have caused it 🙂
No worries…just glad you’re okay! 🙂
Fish are almost mesmerising to watch. Graham (my late husband) once introduced a few into one of our field ponds but they disappeared one by one. Herons perhaps, or maybe the ducks or geese, we do have a lot of wild ducks that nest here in the spring and the occasional visiting geese, plus hordes of gulls in the winter.
It made me smile that you forgot to publish. I too am occasionally smitten by absent mindedness, or maybe it’s not paying attention.
My posts are usually written in advance and I put them on the schedule. Sometimes I forget to add them and then when a couple of hours after the planned publication I look on the Reader I wonder why I have nothing published! I’ve also been known to hit the publish button instead of Save Draft and then I have to hurriedly take them down again. ?
🙂 Thanks very much, Sue
I had wondered if I the WP gremlins got to your post yesterday. I’m glad you’re OK, Derrick.
The carp do look prehistoric. I suppose carp as a species are ancient.
I like the well-named “pretty route,” and the sleeping ponies made me smile. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a pony that sound asleep before–it reminds me of my cat, and I wonder if someone watching would see the horse dreaming.
I’m pleased you look down to see the wildflowers, too. ?
Thank you so much, Merril. Mostly the ponies sleep standing up. Sorry I forgot to press send yesterday 🙂
It’s fine, Derrick. . .it’s just that you NEVER miss a day! ?
🙂
Love the interesting play of water and carp!
I’m pleased about that, Val. Thank you very much
It looks like it was a pretty ride home. That poor white pony looks really tuckered-out!
Good work on fixing that fountain, Jackie!
Thanks very much from us both, GP. As I walked away all four of that group of ponies lay flaked (tuckered) out
Beautiful pictures. Looks like a good day.
Thanks very much, Mrs W.
Your welcome.
It’s nice to see the ponies bathing in the sun. That close up of the prehistoric monster is great! I love how the water moves, even in a still shot.
I’m pleased the movement was conveyed, JoAnna. Thank you very much
Wonderful pictures of the horses, as always. But the koi, looking as though they had come straight from a Japanese woodcut, really caught my attention. How ancient and lovely they are.
Thank you so much, Laurie
Sounds like a good day. ?
It was, Sherry. Thanks a lot
I agree with Laurie about the koi carp. They are ancient and lovely creatures. I like those little side whiskers on them, too.
The gorse makes a lovely river of gold along the road! Spring flowers, and violets in the warm sun also caught my eye, along with the closeup of the sleeping pony. We had a lot of violets back east, but I have not seen any wild violets around here. I do miss their little faces in spring.
Thanks very much, Lavinia.
I enjoyed your fishy gallery and I commend your choice of route for the journey home.
Thanks a lot, Tootlepedal
The sleeping grey made me laugh. I enjoyed seeing the carp. There is something quite haunting about their shapes and associations, even in this country. One of them looks like a whale.
Thank you very much, Susan. All four were in the sleeping sprawl when I walked away.
Lovely pictures. I also love the waterboy feature. I have always wanted on of those.
Thanks very much, Robbie. I can’t see how to comment on your posts
That’s strange. The comments are open. I’ll check the settings.
Thanks a lot. I tried again without success. Better luck next time, perhaps
I love the closeup of the pony resting on the ground. It’s precious.
Thank you very much, Alys
I love the koi series, the landscape series, and the pony series, all in equal measure. I was all set to note favorites, but there were too many!
🙂 Much appreciated Liz. Thanks a lot
You’re welcome, Derrick. 🙂
Speaking of prehistoric monsters from the deep, a coincidental find reminded me of this post. If you click on the image in this twitter post by a Galveston journalist, you’ll find an interesting article about a ‘monster’ found in the Gulf of Mexico in the days of steamships. Use the arrows, and you can read the entire article. I was going to link the NY Times piece mentioned, but I’ve used up my free articles for the month and couldn’t get behind the paywall. You might be able to.
Reminiscent of our Loch Ness monster. Thanks very much, Linda
What a fishy post! I like your tranquil landscapes, Derrick.
Thank you very much, Dolly 🙂
You are very welcome, Derrick.
I love the waterboy fountain — glad it’s working again! And koi ponds — one of my favorite things! When I lived in Hawaii, I really enjoyed seeing koi ponds at entrances to special places! And that poor white pony — looks like he must be snoring in that deep sleep!
Thanks very much, Janet. The pony did sit up before I left 🙂
I’m so glad — somehow I knew tha pony was just sleeping but still alive — I’m glad it sat up to prove that correct!
🙂
Excellent set of shots – we went out today and our gorse is doing well this year too, though we lack your ponies. Glad the water feature is back in action.
Thanks a lot, Quercus
The prehistoric monsters are worth a watch! These are some very amazing clicks! Never watched sleeping ponies this close! Thanks for the post. The landscape looks enticing!
Thank you very much, Kritika
Beautiful clicks. I especially loved the woods and violets. Now that you mentioned it, the koi carp do resemble a prehistoric creature.
Thanks you very much, Monica.I wish you well