A dull morning gave way to sunshine as we left to visit Shelly and Ron with a birthday present. After coffee and convivial conversation Jackie and I set off for a forest drive.
Heather, bracken, brambles, and gorse tangled together festooned the verges and the moorland alongside Burley Road.
Jackie parked on the gravel lay-by opposite the now powdery pony tracks along which I added my footprints to theirs across to Whitemoor Pond,
where ponies and cattle, drawing numbers of walkers sought the benefits of cooling water.
Ponies occasionally drank; cattle stood in silence broken only by the occasional canine yelp.
The stationary, uncomplaining equines, plagued by pesky flies, clustered together in groups, head to tail, flicking at each other’s persistent pests.
This afternoon I posted https://derrickjknight.com/2021/08/26/a-knights-tale-22-but-a-little-boy/
This evening we dined on our second helpings of last night’s Red Chilli takeaway with which Jackie drank more of the Greco di Tufo and I finished the Dao.
So many wonderful animals, Derrick. I’m glad that you guys got some sunshine!
Thanks a lot, John
It’s nice to see the ponies and cows enjoying the cool water. I wish the ones wearing flies would plunge their heads in, but I’m glad they can help each other out – head to tail.
Thank you so much, JoAnna.
After my week of hiking and battling flies, my heart goes out to these horses. Ugh. They are covered.
Yes. They are amazingly patient. Thanks very much, Crystal
How gracefully those ponies tolerate the bothering flies.
We could learn something from the calm acceptance of what they cannot change from those beautiful beasts.
We could, indeed, Emma. Thanks very much
Good thing you guys got some lovely sunshine. Beautiful animals
Thank you very much, More.
You’re welcome Derrick
Poor horses! Made my skin crawl to look at all those flies on those beautiful faces.
My sentiments exactly, Laurie!
Mine too, Laurie. Thanks very much.
It sounds like you had a lovely day, Derrick.
I always feel for those poor ponies with the flies on their faces!
Yes. It looks like torture. Thanks very much, Merril
Love your title! And the part about adding your footprints to the others! 🙂
I’m so glad the cows, ponies, etc., have water available. 🙂
Those pesky flies! Those poor ponies! 🙁 They are so patient to just flick the flies away…even helping each other. We Human-Beans should be more like them when the “flies”-of-life bug us. 🙂
(((HUGS))) 🙂
Thank you very much, Carolyn. Yes, we could do well to emulate them. X
I liked the paddling cattle. They looked traditionally English in having fun with modified rapture.
Musn’t display too much rapture, Tootlepedal. Thanks very much.
I can feel for the horses and now feel like I need to fan my face against flies that are not really in the room with me.
A great response, Pat. Thank you very much
Those pesky flies would drive me crazy 🙂
You and me both, Rosaliene. Thanks very much
I will never complain about that one fly that lands on me. Poor ponies!
Yes. It looks dreadful. I can only hope that they are tougher than we are. Thanks very much, Jill
So beautiful watching these lovely creatures ?
Thank you very much, Ribana
That pink heather, Derrick. Next time you’re on one of your perambulations could you ask Jackie to stop and could you then take a few close up shots. Before the horses eat them for the sweet honey.
Will do, John. Thanks very much
Wow lots of flies Derrick … very much like aa Australian outback cattle ranch…
I imagine so, Ivor. Thanks very much
It was a beautiful outing. The prevailing tranquility of the pond and nearby areas (occasionally punctuated by canine yelps) spilled across to me. The ponies do have a lasting menace in flies.
Thank you very much, Uma. I’m pleased to have conveyed this.
Thank you for providing a series of beautifully tranquil scenes – very calming.
Thank you so much, too, Anne
All those flies would drive me mad!
Certainly would – me too. Thanks very much, Sheree
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Poor ponies – the flies are just drawn to the animals, aren’t they?
What a pity the ponies don’t have these. https://www.sportsdirect.com/shires-fine-mesh-fly-mask-768230?google&cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=10653976948&cq_term=&cq_plac=&cq_net=g&cq_plt=gp&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8uq-xv7Q8gIVmKztCh2-5AoCEAQYCCABEgKWvfD_BwE#colcode=76823018
It is indeed. The field and working horses do have them. Thanks very much, Sue.
Too bad there isn’t some sort of insect repellent that can be brushed into the ponies’ coats to help them out.
Indeed. The field and working horses mostly have face and ears protective masks.. Thanks very much, GP
that must be annoying! but truly they are beautiful and what a delight to see them!
Thank you kindly, Lola
Beautiful photos of the horses! I give them credit for using their tails to whisk away the flies.
Thank you very much, Eugi
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Lovely photos of animals in water, as well as head to swishing tail, Derrick.
Thanks a lot, Dolly
You are very welcome, Derrick.
The ponies and cows look like they are having a pleasant afternoon down by the water, except for the flies.
Yes – their only respite, I’d say
Go to parts of Australia if you personally want to experience flies – it becomes like a type or “royal fly wave” for humans trying to chat with anyone else, who is also into “waving away” and if you stand still enough, you could easily put on a few pounds v a weighing scale…. (been there got the badge)
My son Sam and his wife Holly were married in a Margaret River winery. When I gave a reading I paused, wafted the flies away, and announced this was “an Australian salute” – a phrase I had learned that day. I do appreciate your catch up, Catherine