Following a warning of further fierce winds we carried out our normal protective preparations early this morning. Although still strong the gusts were not as forceful as yesterday.
Soon after lunch we took a drive into the forest to take our minds off any possible storm damage.
As we approached Smugglers Road car park we witnessed the most unusual sight of a quartet of ponies racing down the hillside. Naturally we turned in to investigate the equine objective.
There, apart from a more nonchalant trio preferring grass to whatever goodies were on offer, the animals gathered around a group of promising visitors.
My attention strayed to the purpling heather on the verges and upward on the hillside. As I picked my way up a steep and very narrow pony track, I had forgotten that, with the current state of my knees, it is far easier to climb than descend. When I realised I would have difficulty getting down, and would not therefore be nimble enough to negotiate meeting a pony face to face, I sidled crablike to the bottom. I really must keep a stick in the car – and remember to take it out.
On my return manoeuvres I was happy to see the ponies still occupying the car park.
A group of walkers set off by a different, gentler, route
So far the rain had kept off. Enough, at Linwood Bottom, for me to be tempted to stray to photograph
a number of white cattle from a different angle.
No sooner had I disembarked than a heavy downpour sent me diving into the Modus; the cattle lurching to their feet; and a gentleman and two boys passing the bovine bunch in their dash for cover.
Having read enough of David Copperfield to scan four more of Charles Keeping’s memorable illustrations, I did so.
‘Mr Micawber accepted my proffered arm on one side, and the proffered arm of Traddles on the other, and walked away between us’
‘With the veiled face lying on his bosom, Mr Peggotty carried her, motionless and unconscious, down the stairs’
‘The door of the boat-house stood open when I approached’
‘ ‘The Devil take you!’ said Uriah, writhing in a new way with pain’
All the portraits in these examples remain faithful to earlier versions.
Tonight we dined on a mixed meat melange with tasty gravy; new potatoes, both boiled, and fried with mushrooms; crunchy carrots; and tender cabbage. Jackie drank more of the rosé while I drank Chevalier de Fauvert Comté Tolosan Rouge 2019.
My knees twinged in solidarity with your knees.
The photographs of the cattle and people running for cover is delightful!
Thanks very much, Anne. I took that through Jackie’s open window. I had taken the one with just the cattle when she alerted me to what was coming, so, without wasting time looking round, I just waited for them to come into shot.
All those pretty ponies – and on Smugglers Road no less!! Gives me a great idea, but how to I sneak a pony back across that big pond?
🙂 Maybe they can swim. Thanks a lot, GP
ah-hah, never thought of that!
The ponies are definitely curious or just hungry. I don’t recall ever seeing all white cattle. The heather is so beautiful
Thank you so much, Jill. It is an old English breed.
The outdoors can be dangerous, but that’s all a part of life. You could even get caught in an avalanche if it’s winter and you’re near a tall slope.
But if we cocoon ourselves in a sheltered existence, we’ll never experience anything. So the risk is always worth it. Always.
— Catxman
http://www.catxman.wordpress.com
Absolutely, Catxman. Thanks very much
I have a stick in the car for emergencies (bought from a charity shop), one on the landing for those mornings when I get up feeling rickety (on of my dad’s old ones) , and one I keep with me (Lidl). Always best to be prepared!
Thanks a lot, Quercus. Good planning
Experience . . . 🙁
Love that running pic! And the others, too. So how ARE your knees lately, Derrick?
Thanks for reposting over at The Family Kalamazoo. It was a relative issue but resulted in some new info that I loved receiving!
Thanks for asking, Luanne. I can garden in stints of an hour; walk for 40 minutes; but still painful to bend them.
Oh, that hurt just reading it!!!
🙂
Clearlly your weather continues to be rough — I hope the garden is not taking the brunt of that!
Not too bad yesterday, thanks, Janet
When I saw the header photo, I thought it depicted some kind of cow racing contest.
🙂 Just what it looks like. Thanks very much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Beautiful photos. I particularly like the white cattle. The people look like they’re skipping for cover to me. ?
I’m glad you managed with your knees and made it to the car before the deluge!
Thanks very much, Merril 🙂
You’re welcome!
Love those ponies. Be careful Derrick.
Yes. A lesson learned, Arlene. Thanks very much
Impeccable set of illustrations; characters are quite recognizable. We do not see ‘the veiled face,’ yet the four upturned faces at the bottom of the stairs tell the story.
Indeed. Thanks very much, Dolly. It was a magnificent effort from Keeping.
It certainly was. My pleasure, Derrick.
I have creaky knees so I can sympathize. That heather is lovely.
It was worth going up there for that, Laurie. Thanks very much
Creaky knees be damned!
🙂
That steep pony track looked far too hilly for me too Derrick …
Cheers, Ivor
I’m all for the different, gentler route, but given enough time and a walking stick, we can sometimes mange the steeper paths. I enjoyed the pretty ponies and purpling heather.
Thanks very much, JoAnna. 🙂
After that van was inundated with horsey visitors, I expected it to be full of carrots, apples or polo mints.
🙂 Thanks a lot, Sheree
It sounds like your weather is testing you. Wonderful pictures.
Certainly not what we expect in August. Thanks very much, Mrs W
Your welcome.
The weather has indeed been testing this ‘summer’.
I love the photo of the beautiful white cattle all relaxed and poised in one direction, then the action shot when the torrential showers appeared, with them and the gentleman and boys all rushing in the other direction.
It’s been a season of being ready for anything, around what the weather offers us.
Let’s hope the unseasonal deluges are not to be an increasing feature.
Yes, indeed, Emma. Thank you very much
Beautiful photos!
It’s like the pretty ponies want to pontificate! 🙂 The calm cattle look contently comfy! 🙂 The heavenly heather appears hospitable! 🙂
I hope your knees are okay and I’m so glad you got down safely.
(((HUGS)))
Thanks very much, Carolyn – at least you didn’t alliterate knees X
HA! I thought about it but was all alliterated-out. 😉 😀
🙂
Beautiful photos and loved seeing the white cattle!
Thank you very much, Eugi
My pleasure, Derrick.
A beautiful forest drive and ponies in search of treats! I am glad the storm seems to be winding down in your area.
Many thanks, Lavinia
Your photos always make me smile. Hope you will always remember your stick. My father used to smile whenever he remembered the line, ‘Barkis is willin.’.
Yes – great line, Lakshmi. Thanks very much
I love the expectation of the poinies that a treat was in the offing, I hope the visitors provided one.
I think they did – but we are warned against it because they are sometimes given the wrong food and cause accidents gathering round cars. A week or so back a pony choked to death on chopped carrots. Thanks a lot, Sue
Oh no! The poor thing.
Yes. They can manage a whole carrot themselves, but the chunks got stuck in its throat
An adventurous day I would say ?
Yep 🙂 Thanks very much, Ribana
I was struck by how much the drawing of the boathouse looks like one of our prairie shanties from the pioneer days. Not inappropriate, actually, since travelers through the prairies often described them as a “sea of grass.”
That is fascinating, Linda. Thanks very much