Although the day became somewhat brighter and warmer as it progressed, it was really quite dull and cold until mid-afternoon. This morning we took a brief trip to Ferndene Farm Shop where the Head Gardener bought three more bags of compost and trays of bedding plants.
This afternoon we carried out a Tesco shop in the usual manner. Jackie was very pleased to try out the face screen Helen had given her for her birthday. It was a great improvement on the masks which make the task very difficult.
Afterwards we drove to Pilley where I made
this week’s selection of record pictures of the lake. Those from the two usual vantage points do not show the full difference in the water level from our last trip.
Maybe these three shots give a better idea, especially the last one which ten days ago contained a smaller pool apparently harbouring a shark.
I was able to walk across the dry stretch and round the row of cottages opposite the green on which small ponies grazed within sight of the thatched terrace. There I enjoyed a pleasant conversation with a mother and daughter whose home looked out onto the scene. We found we had marathon running in common, both having run the London.
There were more donkeys, with foals, on Bull Hill than there were ponies.
These managed to disrupt the traffic on a grand scale. It was particularly amusing when I white Toyota slalomed round the asses and came to a halt nose-to-nose with my Chauffeuse’s Modus, and out stepped Elizabeth, (“Where’s Elizabeth?” (2)), with her friend Barbara who is staying with her.
For dinner this evening, the Culinary Queen produced chicken marinaded in mango and chilli on a bed of vegetable rice with tender green beans. Her accompanying beverage was Hoegaarden and mine, more of the Shiraz.
It is good to see so many donkeys around – very peaceful scenes. I am impressed that you have run the London Marathon!
Thanks very much, Anne. 18 in all – London 3 times.
those were joyous days for sure, the challenge and the finishing – is that why your knees are now knackered…pounding city hard pavements can do that…
Probably so. Although rugby second row and fast bowling – both until 45 can’t have helped.
Despite the disruptive traffic pattern, all looks well (including the little ponies and mules!!)
Yes – people are practiced at getting round them. There was more of a hold up in the main road junction at the top of some of the pictures 🙂 Thanks very much, GP
Yes, I did notice that, but had no idea of the cause.
Such sweet donkeys
Thanks very much, Sheree
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Is face screen the same as face shield, Derrick? And I couldn’t find Elizabeth, perhaps because I couldn’t figure out in which photo she was hiding.
She is driving her white Toyota, Dolly. Rather a trick question. I image face screen is what I have called a face screen is a face shield. Thanks very much.
Thank you for explaining, Derrick.
So many cute animals there Derrick! I have to ask, why do cars have a white license plate at the front, and yellow on the rear?
According to the Licensing Authority it is so you can tell at a glance whether you are looking at the front or rear of a car – but then I suppose you would have to know that! Thanks a lot, John
Yes, it’s rather obvious!
Wonderful pictures.
Thanks very much, Mrs W
Your welcome.
I love the little freckled pony. And those houses – do they have thatched roofs? I thought there was nothing cuter than the baby donkey with the stripe. But then I saw the chocolate babe with the white nose. That photo where he’s under his ( matching ) protective mother’s chin is just precious. Is Elizabeth behind the windshield of the white Toyota? I can just barely make out a person in there.
Thanks very much, Jodie. You got the trick question – well thought out.
I liked the freckled pony as well…looked much different to ones we usually see in your shots, derrick
Yes – an Appaloosa, Lavinia has termed it
I’m afraid I failed to find Elizabeth, other than when driving her Toyota –
I blame those beautiful foals; they are rather mesmerizing!
You got it, Emma. Well done. Thanks a lot.
Would you look at all those donkeys, what a great sight! ?
Thank you so much, Sue
Wow so many donkeys. Very peaceful scenery.
Thanks very much, More
You’re welcome Derrick
That’s a lot of donkeys! What a coincidence that you met up with Elizabeth on the road!!
Thanks very much, Liz. It was an amazing coincidence
You’re welcome, Derrick.
The baby donkeys are even cuter than the baby ponies! And your comparison shots show the lake levels dwindling quickly! I assume that Elizabeth is driving the white van.
Well thought out, Janet. The white Toyota in the last picture in the gallery. Thanks very much.
It is just as well not to be in a hurry on your local roads. How do delivery van drivers do?
Most of them stay patient, Tootlepedal. Thanks very much
I love the baby donkeys! They are adorable! Thanks for sharing your fantastic photos, Derrick. No doubt you went to bed with a smile on your face and a full belly after Jackie’s delicious meal.
Thanks very much, Jill.
Oh Derrick, I always so enjoy your donkey photos, and today’s collection were quite a treat for me ..
Thank you so much, Ivor
The ponies and donkeys are enjoying the overcast day. The thatched cottage in the middle of the meadows makes for an idyllic abode. I couldn’t find Elizabeth anywhere!
Thanks very much, Uma. Who was driving the white Toyota?
The thought did occur to me but I figured it didn’t qualify for the answer piece!
Ah – a bit cheeky of me, then.
Thank you for the adorable donkeys and foals and for delightful daydreams of living in a thatched roof cottage looking over a field of dappled ponies.
Thank you so much, JoAnna
I love that Appaloosa pony with the white eyelashes! So much new life about. I agree, I also love seeing thatched roof houses.
I could not find Elizabeth either.
Thanks very much, Lavinia. who was driving the the white Toyota? 🙂
🙂
That spotted horse is really something!
Thanks very much, John
The speckled ponies are sweet! The donkeys are a delight! Both bring the smiles! 🙂
I had to click on the last photo and then BIGIFY it and then magnify it ? to find Elizabeth in her car! 🙂
(((HUGS))) 😀
Very well spotted, Carolyn X. Thanks very much.
Those donkeys are so adorable, and their little foals even more so. Also, that freckled, speckled pony.
So, you got to observe Elizabeth’s driving skill:as the “white Toyota slalomed round the asses.” ? It’s so funny that you saw her there!
It was funny, Merril. Thank you very much
It has been ages since I have seen donkeys ? It is nice to see so many donkeys and foals. Does Jackie experiment with recipes or does she follow the same one?
Thanks very much, Lakshmi. Jackie is such an experimenter that she often couldn’t write the recipe. 🙂
I too like to experiment, it is more fun ?
HA! Wonderful to come nose-to-nose with Elizabeth’s Toyota out there. The animals are always endearing but My goodness this time my attention is grabbed by the lovely thatched cottage with Robin’s-egg blue doors and windows. It is so beautiful.
A pretty idyllic setting, Crystal. Thank you very much
it is so nice that people are used to getting around these beauties and love the photos
Thank you very much, Yvette
and….
mum is so beautiful and glad she enjoyed the story of the flower bed crash –
– also – how very awesome she is still around
Thanks again, Yvette
????
Do your wine bottles generally have screwtops or corks? or, is it a mixture of them? I find the screwtops so much better than the corks, for many reasons. Cin-cin.
A mixture – but screws are taking over. Thanks very much, Yvonne.
Tricksy question! Had to read the comments to find the answer. That chocolate brown baby donkey is utterly adorable.
Thank you very much, Laurie. It was a bit tricksy 🙂
A beautiful day ?
Thank you very much, Ribana
Derrick, are these numerous ponies and donkeys living on their own or they belong to somebody?
They all belong to commoners who have ancient pasturage rights. They roam free. There is an annual round up for a health check. If there are any problems they are returned to owners for sorting them out. Thanks very much, Alexander.
Thank you, Derrick. Now I know.
I love the donkeys! Do your wandering animals get into people’s yards and gardens?
They do if those plots are not protected by cattle grids. Thanks very much, Dwight