After a light overnight frost this morning was sunshine-bright and somewhat chilly. I reached Florence at Fiveways in my weeding of the gravelled Gazebo Path,
while Jackie sat on her kneeling stool to continue her clearance of the Pond Bed.
Immediately after lunch we toured garden centres in search of a strong wooden bench to replace the Ace Reclaim bench which has rusted enough to become precarious to perch upon. Here we were to find evidence of reports that wooden furniture is in short supply because of Covid and Brexit import difficulties. Eventually we found one at Stewart’s outside Christchurch. This will be delivered tomorrow.
We diverted around the forest on our return home.
We were tempted by the fickle sun to stop and admire the gorse- and pony-dotted moorland from the high point of Burley Road outside Norley Wood. As soon as I left the car gloomy clouds rolled in and the sun was not to be seen again until we returned home.
However, a thirsty grey pony stood up to her knees in cold soup at the usual watering hole.
Once satisfied she departed the pool, and, hearing whinnying from beyond the gorse bushes, set off along a well trodden track leading to a circle of open grass, in answer to the call of a companionable bay.
Naturally I followed, if only to let the drinker know there was no escape from my lens.
Along the woodland trail I noticed crab apple blossom in abundance and a child’s solitary lost shoe.
We stopped for a drink at The Rising Sun and sat in the garden chatting and listening to other muted voices, melodious birdsong, inharmonious pop music from inside, and vehicles clattering over the cattle grid outside.
This evening we reprised yesterday’s meal with identical beverages.
I enjoy the sequence of the pony drinking and then going to meet its friend – it provides an intimate picture of pony life.
Thank you so much, Anne
I had to smile at the grey pony checking you out in the end! What a gallant creature!!
I knew you wouldn’t miss that, GP. Thanks a lot, Derrick
Nice shots of the romantic pony couple, Derrick. Thank you for neologism ‘inharmonious;’ I will use it in reference to this kind of music from now on.
I’m pleased, Dolly. Thank you very much
My pleasure, Derrick.
What a beautiful ghostly grey pony – I think he or she was actually enjoying their very pretty reflection…
I love his black socks – being modelled very attractively in your header shot!
Looking forward to seeing your new bench! 😉
Thank you so much, Emma. It comes flat-packed, so fingers crossed 🙂
Good luck…! If today’s huge, red sunset was anything to go by, tomorrow will be a lovely day to try it out!
🙂
That pony has his eye on you! Fantastic photos today, Derrick!
Thanks very much, Jill
Brilliant photography, as ever…
Thanks a lot, Billy
Lumber prices here have skyrocketed. It’s affecting everything from home construction to the availability of things like your bench. This is a sobering article. You might consult with you handyman and determine whether you’ll need any lumber in the next months. If the answer’s yes, now might be the time to buy, especially if you can afford to wait for delivery.
Thanks very much, Linda. That’s useful information
That child’s lost shoe was rather poignant
Yes. I always find them so, and wonder what happened. Thanks a lot Sheree
Pleasure as always Derrick
The shots of your garden are so lovely. I loved the pony sequence and your description–as Anne said providing us with “an intimate picture of pony life,” and ending with the final shot of the pony giving you that look.
Lumber is also quite expensive and in short supply here because so many people have been building during the pandemic.
Thanks very much, Merril. That look capped off the sequence nicely – so lucky.
?
The gorse looks very fine.
It is really glowing at the moment – even when the sun goes in. Thanks very much, Tootlepedal
I wonder what happened to the other shoe?, what happened to the child? do we send out a search party? or have the aliens struck again?… maybe it’s time for breakfast Derrick?
Such questions are always provoked by a lost shoe.
Over the years I have posted a few.
As always I am prompted to send thanks to you.
Thank you Derrick ..
It sounds like you and Jackie had a lovely day. As others have noted, I particuarly enjoyed the pony series. My favorite photo out of today’s group is the first landscape photo with the gorse and the clouds.
Thanks very much, Liz. Your favourite photo is the view that made us stop. At that point I hadn’t seen the drinker 🙂
You’re welcome, Derrick. I would have stopped for the view, too!
Sounds like the perfect day.
Pretty good, Chrissy. Thanks very much
It is always lovely when the sun shines. Bad luck about the clouds. We are into our fifth day of bright Autumn sun in bright blue skies but I fear it will not last out the day.
Good luck, John. Thanks very much.
What a lovely day you had.
It was, Gary. I have to admit the morning’s weeding exhausted me, but I recovered 🙂 Thanks a lot
Beautiful as usual, Derrick!!
Thank you very much, Mike
I’ve always been partial to grey ponies and horses having had a grey horse of my own many, many years ago. The gorgeous grey in the gorse took my breath away. Those lost shoes always makes me wonder.
Thanks very much, JoAnna. I have photographed a few over the years
I’m with Anne. Nice to see a pony slice-of-life sequence.
I’m pleased, Laurie. Thank you very much.
I love the Ponies sequences especially where the grey is quenching her thirst, and her last glance toward you, I imagine she was asking “Are you finished now, can we have some privacy please?” ?
Great speech bubble, Sue. Thanks very much
All lovely photos!
And you found a very beautiful and attentive pony! She’s saying, “I got an eye on you, Mister!” 😉
I always enjoy seeing Florence.
And what a good garden assistant you are to The Great Gardner! How wonderful of you to do the weeding. 🙂 That’s a tiring job. Seems to never end. Weeds are great at popping up all over. 😮
Aw, on the lost shoe. I’m sure it has been replaced by now. Someone is sporting some new shoes! 😉 I wonder what colour of Crocs they chose this time. 🙂
(((HUGS))) 🙂
Thank you so much, Carolyn X
Nice pictures of the grey horse !
Thanks a lot, John
Weeding gravel is such a thankless task! I’m glad you enjoyed a drive out afterwards and managed to get hold of a new bench.
Thanks very much, Helen
Beautiful photos! I especially loved the one of the solitary shoe, looks like it could be a prompt for a story!
Thanks very much, D
A lovely forest drive, Derrick and Jackie! That is a beautiful grey pony, and you took some nice portraits of her.
Your gardens look beautiful. Yes, the weeds start ramping up at this time of year. We had some good rain during the night, which will help speed ours along, too.
Thanks very much from us both, Lavinia. We have been receiving useful showers today.
I’m waiting to see whether Brexit import difficulties will see the Brits once more look south to Australia and New Zealand to keep them in dairy, lamb and beef.
That would be good. Thanks a lot, Gwen
I’m a big fan of “yesterday’s meal” – sometimes it’s better the next day!
Beautiful photography of the grey pony
Thanks very much, Geetha