A loosely latched utility room window constantly thudded throughout last night against the whistling rhythm of thunderous gales sweeping through the Isle of Wight at speeds of up to 100 m.p.h.
The Weeping Birch bent its back and tossed it tresses.
As I write we do not expect a cessation until 9 p. m.
A pony couple contributing equine child labour introduced a very young colt to the family business of maintaining the clipping of the verges at the Brockenhurst end of Rhinefield Road. While Dad kept a discreet distance the infant was more interested in clinging close to his unresponsive mother in the hope of latching on for food.
I wandered into the woodland alongside, picking out a split, yet still flourishing tree; watching jackdaws, tidier than Tootlepedal‘s, foraging in the grass; and, when noticing birches swaying scarily with the wind – perhaps to join others littering the forest floor –
returning to the relative safety of the road where I enjoyed a pleasant conversation with a friendly couple, also fascinated with the foal and his mother who sought relief from an itch through the medium of a conveniently angled tree trunk.
Jackie had photographed me on my way in. How long will that torn limb take to fall from the foreground tree, I wonder?
Along an open stretch of Rhinefield Road I was surprised to find the wind so fierce that I struggled to stand still to photograph another equine family blending with the gorse. I decided it would have been unsafe to attempt to cross a ditch to reach them. Turning to include Dad was quite out of the question.
We briefly stopped at Puttles Bridge where I photographed rippling water, reflections, tree roots, and some of the fresh green leaves ripped from the trees everywhere this morning.
As we were leaving, a small herd of cattle were arriving.
This evening we dined on spicy pepperoni pizza; fried halloumi; and plentiful fresh salad, followed by apple and blackcurrant pie with rhubarb and ginger ice cream. Jackie drank Hoegaarden and I drank Collin-Bourisset Fleurie 2019.
It all sounds quite lovely. Don’t you hate when the realities of maturity interfer with what we prefer to do?
I do, indeed, Pat 🙂 Tanks very much
You’re welcome.
Beautiful reflections in the pool.
The beautiful forest animals all look so clean, and unfazed by the beating winds.
Rhubarb and Ginger Ice Cream sounds a perfect end to a day of such wintry, unseasonal weather.
Thanks you so much, Emma.
That sounds like quite a gale — do be careful when you are out photographing the beautiful new pony families and the old, fallen trees!
I’m used to the struggle when on the clifftops, but to be blown about inland was quite an experience – certainly requiring care. Thanks very much, Janet
We’ve been having quite a wind lately, but nothing like what you are experiencing. Good to see it didn’t affect my ponies.
Just kept them out of sight for a day. 🙂 Thanks a lot, GP
Gorgeous photos
Thanks a lot, Sheree
Wind has been the order of the day. It howled so here and was strong enough to snap electric cables, leaving us in darkness for most of the evening. The garden is spread all over with the debris of leaves and twigs. Your photographs show the wind and its effects very well – I love all of those ripples!
Thank you very much, Anne. We had no internet this morning, but we were OK last evening.
I can’t believe it’s almost 6 months since we were up Rhinefield way and we only live in Southampton. First it was lockdown and now the weather has been so bad lately that we have hardly ventured out. It’s our favourite area of The Forest. Hoping Summer arrives soon, but in the meantime enjoying your lovely photos.
Thanks very much, Tony. I hope you can get over again soon.
I hope so too Derrick. Fed up with this unseasonal weather, but so pleased it was nice this time last year when I was on furlough. I think 2 months on furlough (April/May) with this type of weather would have driven me crazy.
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We love The New Forest and live close to here. If you have never been, it’s a wonderful part of England and an area of natural beauty as you can see from these terrific photos.
Thank you so much, Tony. Don’t forget to visit when you are over.
We will be sure to.
Wonderful photos! Love the horses.
Thanks very much, VJ
My pleasure, Derrick
What a great selection of New Forest images. You ought to be receiving an advertising fee from the Hampshire Tourist board.
Thanks a lot, Sue. The couple I spoke to were visitors and I was surprised at how much I could tell them that I have learned in 9 years 🙂
I imagine you could even publish a book with the beautiful collection of images you’ve gathered over the past nine years.
If I were so inclined 🙂
I know just what you mean! ?
🙂
Your weather seems a relentless round of from bad to worse and yet the two of you continue to venture out and observe the daily goings on. You’re to be congratulated. I think I’d become a homebody in the face of such wind.
Thanks very much Gwen. Going out is better than letting The Head Gardener spend the day looking through the windows 🙂
Ohhhh … I seeeeee … fretting, fretting …
My favorite photo out of today’s windblown offerings is Jackie’s of Derrick entering the twisted wood. Your supper sounds delicious!
Thanks very much from us both, Liz. Jackie was aiming for a Where’s Derrick, but the jacket gave it away 🙂
You’re welcome, Derrick. 🙂
Love the reflections, Derrick. We’ve had wind almost everyday since March. Dinner sounds delish!
Thanks very much, Jill. Happy puzzling
I’m still snug in bed Derrick, a chilly 1’C here in Geelong this morning .. and I’m thoroughly enjoying viewing your equine photos …
Thanks very much, Ivor. Jackie was amazed at your temperature. I hope the day warmed up a bit.
Rhubarb and ginger ice cream! I love it when you talk dirty, Derrick. Stunning shots as usual 🙂
Thanks a lot, Mike 🙂
I particularly love that first photo of the horse’s head between the legs of the black horse. A lovely capture. Now I have to look up halloumi!!!
Without looking it up I would think it’s a type of cheese but I would never have thought of frying it.
Yes it is a goat/sheep milk cheese and yes, they fry it. They said the taste is primarily salt and not very cheesy as it is incredibly salty.
That’s sounds familiar. Probably why I have never tried it. 🙂
Thanks very much, Judy. The Culinary Queen says the halloumi was the sheep variety
After a day like that, what else could you enjoy except pizza. 🙂
🙂 Thanks very much, Chrissy
The Weeping Birch is a survival artist, it’s dance in ferocious winds a performance each time. The photo you have produced is top notch. The more slender trees keep perishing in storms. Please be careful when wandering in the woods in high winds. The family of ponies is quite at home in imposing weather. They make interesting subjects and you have made full use of the opportunities presented.
Thanks very much, Uma. As soon as I saw the birches swaying so much, I got out of there quickly 🙂
Beautiful equine families! The trees and roots are fascinating – especially the spit tree that reminds me of a figure diving backwards.
Thanks very much, JoAnna. I wondered what you would say about the split tree – and you didn’t disappoint.
It’s amazing how they can still flourish with that kind of split.
Isn’t it!?
Those babies are so darned cute!
Thanks very much, Laurie
Wow…that’s a right gale! Those horses seem so calm. I remember the horses of my childhood would have none of that high wind nonsense.
I love the photos. I miss horses.
Thanks very much, dunelight. On the first gale day, when there was more rain, the ponies remained well out of sight.
Those foals are so endearing! The rippling pools show how windy it was and that birch tree is amazing!
Thanks very much, Clare. I always fear for the birch in such winds.
Your photos are like a book about a field trip of nature. So lovely. I love the trees and reflection of the water.
Thank you so much, More. What a lovely description.
You’re welcome Derrick
100 mph winds must have shook your entire house. Are these winds common in your area, Derrick? I’m glad you got out to take photographs, but I’m even happier that you’ve remained upright in the gales.
Thanks very much, Alys. This is the second time in the last couple of years. We are directly in line with the Isle of Wight – about a mile as the crow flies, so 40-60 is quite normal. All is still today, but we had no internet for a while
No internet!? How in the world did you cope. 😉
Seriously, those are some mighty fierce winds. Quite a change from London I imagine.
I’ve never experienced them Before. With no internet it is more moping than coping 🙂
100 mph winds! Wowza! 😮 Sounds so scary. 🙁 I imagine they can do major damage to plants and trees…and buildings. 🙁
Oh, the faces of the foals and cows are so sweet! It’s so much fun when they look right at you like they are posing for you. I wonder if they think their photos will be put up on Equine-Book or Bovine-Press. 😉 😛
Jackie’s wonderful photo of you couldn’t have been a Where’s Derrick? as your bright coat and beautiful hair give you away! 🙂
(((HUGS))) 🙂
PS…Pizza AND ice cream! Lucky ducks! 😉 ?
Thank you so much, Carolyn. Actually the wind on the moors was scary. X
? Another lovely day.
Thank you very much, Sherry
100 mph on he Isle of Wight? Wow! If your hat blows off, you pick it up in Dover!
🙂 Thanks a lot, John
Wow–I can’t believe you, Jackie, and the animals were all walking about in that wind. So many wonderful photos–I can’t pick a favorite. Those little foals are adorable are so adorable though, and I like the family groups, despite the child labor. I like Jackie’s photo of you, too.
Your dinner sounds wonderful.
Thank you so much, Merril 🙂
You’re welcome!
I hope the storm did not do too much damage, Derrick and Jackie. Those are high winds! As always, I enjoyed your trip through the forest, and all the fine photos. The wee foals are adorable!
Thank you very much from us both, Lavinia. Surprisingly little damage was incurred.
The horses look wonderful.
x
Thanks very much, Melanie X
Beautiful woods.
Thanks very much, Rupali
I’m glad I took time to read all the comments. I don’t have to ask you, “What’s halloumi?” Ny guess is that tree limb is not long for this world as the ponies continue to use it for an itching post! I hope you get sunny, inviting, gardening weather again soon. We have had snow for the past two days… cold and gray days. We’re ready for warmer spring weather to return. We bet you are, too!
Thank you very much, Jan. It is amazing how these trees can stand up in all sorts of positions. I hope your weather improves, too. X
The opening sentence of this post could start a horror story, Derrick.
So it could, Dolly 🙂 Thanks very much.
You are very welcome, Derrick.
Wonderful shots of the foals and mares, Derrick. Can’t imagine the damage wrought by 100+ winds.
Thanks very much, Maj. There will be a lot of trees and fences down. We have been comparatively lucky
Wonderful photos, Derrick. You live in a place full of natural beauty.
Thank you very much, Diana