From late morning Jackie drove our visitors and me around the forest. De had walked down to the coast at Milford where we joined her.
Jan photographed De seated beneath an umbrella, where their daughter was joined first by her father and then by her mother.
Choppy waves threw up creamy spray before sliding up and slipping back down the crunching shingle beach.
The trio walked along the clifftop promenade and down the steps toe the sea level.
Pannage pigs at Pilley snuffled and snorted their way around the verges.
We stopped for a drink at the Fleur de Lys, to find that it had been under new management for just a week. This prompted us to book a table for this evening.
Jan photographed and conversed with donkeys beside Beaulieu Lake, the banks of which
a preening swan and cygnets shared with gulls,
while one of the young swans reflected on the surface over which a crow took to the air.
At East Boldre we stepped out to photograph ponies casting shadows as the sun emerged.
This evening’s meal at the Fleur de Lys was excellent. We shared starters of Thai Fish Cakes and Belly of Pork; Jackie and I enjoyed Burger mains; I am not sure what the others chose; we all finished with sticky toffee pudding. We shared a bottle of Pinot Grigio and a Mendoza Argentine Malbec. I completed the meal with a Bailey’s, Jackie abstained and the others drank varieties of gin.
Love the the piggy and donkey photos
Thanks very much, Sheree. I am happy to provide them
😎
Love the red umbrella. I remember grey London with its pops of red – busses, mailboxes, and telephone booths.
That is a good associated memory, Sherry. Thanks very much.
Not two minutes before your post came across my email, I was wondering where today’s post was. I kid you not!
🙂 I just made it in time, then. Thank you so much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick!
The rain over the ocean is beautiful, I’m glad your meal was good!
Thank you very much, John
Such a great variety of photos. It looks like you and your guests are having a wonderful time.
(I’m glad to see the pigs were not airborne.) 😏
🙂 Thanks very much, Merril
Those foamy waves look wonderful – a walk by the crashing winter sea must be on the agenda for me in the coming months! That is not just ‘an umbrella’ – it is magnificent… I think your picture could be used in the manufacturer’s marketing material!
It’s so good to hear that the new management of the Fleur de Lys was so good. An exciting time to be taking over, and a promising start for their tenure. Good for you (and Jackie!) as well as them 🙂
Thanks very much, Emma, from us both. The magnificent umbrella is from our son-in-law Ian’s time teaching at Chichester Cathedral Prebendal School.
A bright reminder.!
Donkeys, ponies, and swans are certainly interesting, but the choppy waves photos are exquisite, Derrick.
P.S. Pinot Grigio happens to be my favorite wine, and Mendoza Malbec my husband’s.
Great tastes, Dolly. Thank you very much
You are very welcome, Derrick.
Wonderful photos and it sounds like you and your company are enjoying yourselves nicely.
We certainly are, Pat. Thank you very much
The donkey looks so cuddly. Great pictures.
Thank you so much, Bridget
That looks like a lovely drive through the forest with guests!
It was good, Janet. Especially as we got petrol.
I love the architecture of your pubs! They have such character.
The older the better, AnneMarie. Thank you very much.
As always I love the donkey photos, and the thatched roof at the Fleur de Lys, is rustically outstanding ..
Thank you very much, Ivor
The pic of Jan face to face with the brown donkey is just priceless. I bet the conversation was too! Glad you all had a good day. Good company, good food and donkeys. It doesn’t get any better than that.
Thank you so much, Maj
You and Jackie are fantastic hosts, Derrick. Thanks for taking us along! I love the red umbrella!
Thank you very much from us both, Jill.
The red umbrella is perfect!
I’m pleased you thought so, Leslie. Thanks a lot
I like how Jan got on eye level and made friends with the donkeys and ponies she photographed. I would probably do the same.
Yes – that was a lovely sight, Joanna. Thanks very much.
That is such an atmospheric pub.
It is – seeped in almost a thousand years of history. Hawklad might like the plaque of Queen Elizabeth I which appears at the end of this post: https://derrickjknight.com/2018/08/03/fleur-de-lys/. Thanks a lot, Gary
Looks like you had a wonderful, wonderful day!
Thank you very much, Laurie. It certainly was.
Love the photos Derrick, especially those of the donkey. And your meal sounds divine!
Thank you very much, Miriam. The pub was very good before, but there has been no deterioration after the change.
What an adventurous day 😉
Thank you very much, Ribana
The leisurely outing to the seafront must have uplifted the spirits of the wandering party. Fleur de Lys is a fascinating presence. Swans, ponies and pigs have been caught in their characteristic disposition, the last of which I continue to hate unduly.
Thank you very much, Uma. This was an unexpected trip because the forecast was for the stormy weather to linger longer.
Goodness Derrick your guests got up close and personal with your friendly forest animals – but the stormy weather upon the seaside, wasn’t as nice. But I guess all the chatter made up for that…
Quite right, Catherine 🙂 We also watched Downton Abbey on Netflix. Thanks very much
What a beautiful day with friends! Love that bright umbrella! 🙂 So glad they got to get up close and personal with those sweet-faced donkeys! Looks like the animals were willing to show up for a photo session! 😉 😀
Did you get much rain? We’ve had a few rainy days recently.
(((HUGS))) <3 to everyone who is with you! 🙂
Thank you very much from us all, Carolyn. Not as much rain as expected – much more today. X
It really has been brilliant weather recently, hasn’t it?
Up until now 🙂 Thanks a lot, John
Friends, pigs, donkeys, ponies, good drinks and food (I’m supposing the food was good, you didn’t say😬 ). Great Day!!
It was, GP. Thank you very much
Looks like a wonderful day with your guests.
What a marvelous set of photos! I especially like the one with me and my parents on the bench facing the ocean. Thank you ever so much to you and Jackie for your warm hospitality and generosity! ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you so much, De. You are being perfect guests, blending in as part of the family XX
I love the photos, especially of the frothy waves. It seems you had a lovely time with your guests.
We have, indeed, Eugi. Thanks very much
You’re welcome, Derrick.
I love these forest drives and all the animals you meet! Even more wonderful to share the drive and dining out with friends!
The sea looks grey and wild, so beautiful!
Thanks for including my favorite pannage pigs again. I see a muddy snout headed right for you in one of the photos, Derrick! 🙂
You are so right about the muddy snout Lavinia. I had to be nippy. Thanks very much.
What an attractive picturesque pub. Sounds like you had a super evening meal and a return visit is called for.
Thanks v very much, Sue. https://derrickjknight.com/2018/08/03/fleur-de-lys/
Sounds like an excellent meal with great company.
x
It was, indeed, Melanie. Thanks very much X
Most welcome x