A dull day brightened after lunch, when we visited Otter Nurseries to buy three more – the last – hanging baskets similar to the three Jackie had purchased this morning. We continued our drive into the forest, where
adult asses trimmed the verges and, scratching when necessary, blocked the road at the bottom of Bull Hill,
further up which we found a flurry of fresh foal births since our visit a few days ago.
Leaving one suckling we progressed to East End where an infant pony nuzzled for similar nourishment
among others in a field of swaying golden buttercups.
Later, with a background of glorious birdsong, I dug out a bramble; dead-headed masses of Welsh poppies; and photographed
the Chilean lantern tree lighting the way along the Shady Path.
This evening we dined on more of Jackie’s spicy pasta arrabbiata with the addition of firm broccoli. The Culinary Queen drank Hoegaarden and I finished the Fleurie.
Great photos, Derrick, the baby donkeys are so cute! ❤️🇬🇧
Thank you very much, John
Lovely bucolic scenes – and the Chilean lantern bush looks spectacular.
Thanks very much, Anne
that path is awesome
and those last three hanging baskets are going to add another splash of beauty to your beautiful place
Thanks very much, Yvette
The babies are adorable!
The Chilean lantern tree is beautiful–and so is the photo of the path.
Thank you so much, Merril
Quite the crop of foals this year, it seems. You have captured them very well.
Thank you so much, Maj
YAY for more hanging baskets! The lantern tree is lovely!
You know I LOVE the donkeys! Baby donkeys AND baby ponies…OHMYGOSH! Those sweet faces! 🙂
Livin’ life among the buttercups…what could be better! 🙂
(((HUGS))) 🙂
PS…now the song Build Me Up Buttercup by The Foundations is playing in my head. 😀
Thanks very much, Carolyn. I knew there was an apt song, but I couldn’t quite remember it 🙂 X
I love the donkey nursery! The two donkeys on the verge look like they’re enjoying themselves. I love the Chilean lantern tree. They prefer a temperate climate?
I’m not sure what the Chilean lantern trees prefer, but our particular micro-climate is certainly temperate. Thank you very much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick.
What a great day – more hanging baskets to enhance the garden further; is that even possible? And the unexpected encounter with the newborn. Doesn’t get much better than that!
Quite so, Sue. Thank you very much
Th Chilean lantern tree is a real treat. Great photo!
Thanks very much, Quercus
So gosh-darned cute!
Another of your delightful phrases, Laurie. Thanks very much
😉
Such totally adorable photos of the foals and their mothers!
I had not heard of ‘Welsh Poppies’ before, so have looked them up. They sound lovely, and hugely beneficial for wildlife. Great that they’re perennials, too – I’m sure I recognise them, but not their name!
The Chiltern Lantern Tree is indeed lighting the shady path – and looks very inviting, too 🙂
Thank you very much, Emma. Another plant that will proliferate for you.
And I believe is rabbit proof too (as far as any are..!)
🙂
The foals, donkey and pony, are adorable!
That is a beautiful garden path, plantings and lantern tree. You, Jackie and Elizabeth have done a lot of hard work!
Thank you so much, Lavinia
Fantastic photos, Derrick! I love the little donkey right before the big sign.
Thanks very much, Jill
Oh wow, you have definitely grab my attention this morning Derrick … Yeah, equine infants.. gorgeous …
🙂 Much appreciated, Ivor. Cheers
The Chilean lantern tree is very fine.
Thanks very much, Tootlepedal
Love the baby pictures. Wrangler sent me to town yesterday morning and I came home with another hanging pot and rain gauge. All were on sale. The gauge has a cute holder and the pot I had a bere spot on one side of our steps so I made a hangers for it. He thought I was done with flowers.
🙂 Jackie would say you can never have too many hanging baskets. Thanks very much Mrs W.
Your welcome. If we were home so I could baby them on the high wind days I would line the drive with shepards hooks with them.
Very springtime moments with newborns and plants for the garden. Lovely and inspiring.
Thank you very much, Suzanne
With all those donkeys meandering around, you’d be lucky to get up to 40km/h!
The foals are mighty cute.
Thanks very much, Yvonne. Those speed limits are pretty unrealistic
Beautiful photos Derrick! They seem without any worries in this world 😉
They do, Ribana. Thank you very much
You have captured a heartwarming album of the equine citizens of New Forest. The last passage about your work by the shady path is so poetic! You have become the skylark of The Garden.
Thank you so much, Uma
Thank you for sharing your lovely forests, fields, and foals. I like the donkey foal hair tuffs and the shaggy ponies. The buttercups are a nice touch, too!
Thank you very much, JoAnna – nice alliteration 🙂
🙂
I begin to wonder if the human population is outnumbered by its equine equivalent!
🙂 Thanks very much, John
Yay, more donkeys
🙂 Thanks a lot, Sheree
I’m lovin’ all the photos today, Derrick! (You knew I would). But can you estimate how tall the infant pony stands?
Perhaps a metre. Thanks very much, GP
Lovely photos of equine motherhood, Derrick.
Thank you very much, Dolly. That might have made a better title
I like your title, Derrick. You are very welcome.
🙂
Love the photos of the baby donkeys. Spring is always full of new life to enjoy!
Thanks very much, Dwight
Excellent sequence. If one must be blocked by asses on the road, or in life in general, this is the best type of blockage. Beautiful composition, and a wonderful peaceful atmosphere.
Thank you very much, Joseph
Lovely to see the donkeys. You picked my favourite shot for the header. My only question is the shady path does not seem very shady. Has it been transformed since it was named?
Thank you very much, Susan. I’m pleased we had the same favourite. You are exactly right about The Shady Path
I love seeing all the donkey foals in fields!
Thank you very much, Janet
These pictures are so sweet, Derrick.
Thank you very much, Robbie