This morning we paid a visit to Ferndene Farm Shop, purchased three bags of compost, eggs, and salad items, then continued on a forest drive.
We turned off Pound Lane on the approach to Burley, where
Jackie parked beside the entrance to Honey Lane in order for me to test my knees on uncompromising terrain.
The height of the banks on the sides of this ancient path is indicative of its age.
The hooves of these work horses in an adjacent field were at my eye level.
As I set off down the lane I glimpsed what looked like a herd of deer dashing across in the distance. Realising that if I could reach the level of the fields I might be able to get a bead on them from a rusting five barred gate, I had a choice to make.
I could walk back to the Modus, situated where the smooth slope led to the gate, or I could climb up the root entangled rough incline. Regular readers will know which option I took. Surprisingly, I made it.
I was rewarded with a sight of the milling herd.
Now, if I made my way further along might I discover a different angle? How was I to do this?
Fortunately ponies had forged an albeit precarious track down the knobbly bank. Striving to avoid brambles and holly, I stumbled along it.
This gave me my different viewpoint. Until a snorting clopping from behind alerted both me and the now scarpering cervine crew to the approach of
two friendly equestriennes with whom I enjoyed a pleasant conversation gleaning the information that the deer were regular daily visitors who were quite problematic when they returned in darkness.
This afternoon Jackie continued planting and weeding the garden. My minimal contribution was trimming the lawn edges and carting some refuse to the compost bins, until I was relieved by a most welcome visit from Shelly and Ron enabling us to catch up for Covid time.
This evening we dined on succulent roast duck with crispy skin, boiled potatoes, crisp Yorkshire pudding, crunchy carrots, tender cabbage and runner beans, with tasty gravy. Jackie drank Hoegaarden, and I drank more of the Malbec.
It almost looks as if the deer paused for you, Derrick. Lovely mysterious images of shadowy lanes and paths.
Thank you so much, Dolly. They certainly weren’t troubled until the horses cam along
So many of them! You are very welcome, Derrick.
I would have been thrilled to see so many deer together! Lovely photographs of them, the forest, now deep roads, and the ponies.
Many thanks, Anne. Honey Lane is normally full of wet and muddy pot holes
Ponies at hoof level and deer giving you the once-over. Great day – and delectable meal!!
Thank you so much, GP
Oh dear, you got lucky 🙂
I did 🙂 Thanks a lot, Bridget
A herd of deer–wow! I’ve never seen more than a family group. Beautiful shots with shadow and light.
Thank you very much, Merril
I love your herd of deer and the ponies are always favorites. Your woods are more exciting than ours.
Thank you very much, Pat
Gorgeous photos of the deer
Thank you very much, Sheree
I love the wood there, so pretty. I see a few young bucks among the doe in the field, very attractive deer. ???❤️
Thank you so much, John
What a lucky moment to see so many deer, I’m glad to hear you remained upright.
Thanks very much, Sue 🙂
What a beautiful herd of deer – they are such majestic animals… well worth a bit of adventuring to get such a good view of them! They are, indeed, troublesome though – our early morning visitors have been picking daffodils in recent weeks, leaving them lying like poor, fatally wounded soldiers. And a huge Euphorbia is the latest breakfast snack 🙁
Your photos of reflections, whether on water or hard surfaces, are always magical.
Thank you so much, Emma. Fortunately we are not ourselves trouble by deer – we can just go and find them if we are lucky.
What a wonderful find — I don’t think I’ve ever seen more than a half dozen deer in a field — your herd is magnificent!
Thank you very much, Janet
Love the deer pack or the herd of deer which I discovered is the same and both used. 🙂
Beautiful.
Thanks very much, Chrissy. I’ll try to remember deer pack
🙂
Paths winding around mossy banks, deer herds, and sturdy horses – these are a few of my favorite things. I’ve found that I can manage most paths if I take my time and step with care. Glad you enjoyed yourself and made it through safely.
Thanks very much, JoAnna. In a month or so I might picture raindrops on roses 🙂
🙂
You were very adventurous. I hope that your knees did not regret it at the end of the day.
Thanks a lot, Tootlepedal. No more than usual 🙂
Gorgeous photos, Derrick! Love Honey Lane!
I love the deer photos! We don’t see them in herds around here. Your description of them as a “scarpering cervine crew” is a great turn of phrase.
Thank you very much, Liz. I’m pleased you like that
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Those deer are perfect models.
Thanks very much, Gary.
Beautiful herd. We, too, have a problem with deer on the roads at night. Wish they would stay in the woods.
Thanks very much, Laurie. We haven’t seen them on the roads at night.
That is a watchful Modus perched with a certain confidence in the abilities of the knees of its regular companion. The flock of deer has been comprehensively captured, as has been the pair of equestrians.
Thank ou very much, Uma. 🙂
What a great walker you were today! Hope your knees did well!
The deer are not only dear, they are darlings! Such a beautiful sight to see!
We can have elk and deer here on the sides of the highways and roads certain times of the year. It can be scary if they are out at night. I worry about them.
Have a Happy Whee-kend!
(((HUGS))) 🙂
Thanks very much, Carolyn. Knees OK. X
A lucky encounter.
Indeed. Thanks a lot, Andrew
I LOVE exploring old two-tracks, or, lanes as you call them. <3
🙂 Thanks a lot dunelight
That is a strong herd of deer.
Thanks very much, Mrs W
Your welcome.
That is some herd of deer! Looks like a pleasant day in the forest. Are some of those roads what you call a holloway there?
Not a term I know, Lavinia – and I didn’t find anything on Google. Thanks very much
Roger Deakin spoke of them in his books. He is an author I think you and Jackie wold enjoy.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Deakin
Thank you for this link, which I found fascinating and led me to https://www.faber.co.uk/blog/holloway-robert-macfarlane-short-film-released/
I think you are probably right, especially as we border on Dorset
how delightful to encounter a herd of deer! never seen that many at one time! beautiful photographs as always! thank you 🙂
Thanks very much, Lola
Wow! that is a lot of deer! Do they not do hunting to thin out the herd? Great shots!
Thanks very much, Dwight. There doesn’t seem to be any culling here, although it is understood to be necessary.
Yes, it seems needed from the photo! They will eat everything in sight!
Wonders greet you around every turn. So many lovely places for leisurely drives. It’s really nice how roads meander through the forests. Seems there’s always something beautiful to see xK
Thanks very much, Kelly. We certainly are fortunate
That is a lot of deer! According to someone I spoke to from the Woodland Trust, there is now a bigger deer population in the UK than there ever has been and they are a real hazard to trees. As they also taste good, I don’t see a problem.
Interestingly most of the local Indian restaurants serve venison. Thanks very much, Quercus
🙂 A new local delicacy! Good thinking.