After lunch Jackie drove us to Helen and Bill’s home at Fordingbridge to drop off a present.
Attracted by a couple of large mushrooms on the verges at I disembarked and wandered along photographing, in addition, bracken nestling beside an oak trunk, and lichen attached to fallen twigs on the forest floor and decorating another trunk.
The forded stream was racing and rippling along at a rate we have not seen before.
Cars sped splashing across;
a troop of donkeys gathered on the edge of the road-bridge, contemplated the torrent, then, deciding they didn’t fancy it, leaving one of their members with its foal to slake their thirst, turned back and
lined themselves neatly along the shrubbery for Jackie to photograph them through her windscreen and after stepping out of the car.
We returned via Woodgreen where I photographed the landscape around the River Avon, its swans and mallards, and cattle lolling alongside.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s warming winter meat and vegetable stewp, with fresh crusty bread. The Culinary Queen drank Hoegaarden and I finished the Cotes du Rhone.
Well, unlike the donkeys, I fancied everything I saw and the meal that I read about.
Thank you so much, Pat
Those donkeys sure have unusual markings, at least different from the ones I’ve seen. Interesting countryside too.
Tanks a lot, GP. There is a great variety
Such a lovely, lovely river. What a lot of donkeys! I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many in one place.
Nor me, actually, Laurie. Thanks very much
I too am struck by the unusual markings on these donkeys. We have very ordinary ones here, although the colours vary from pale to chocolate and some are more shaggy than others.
Thank you very much, Anne
I also noticed the unusual marking on the donkeys, but I love those donkey faces. 😀
I think my favorite photo today is the stream overflowing ford. It might be scary there, but it’s a beautiful scene.
Thanks very much, Merril
The water sure is zipping along, you’ve had lots of rain, aye? Smart donkeys!
We have – more overnight than I had realised, John. Thanks very much
I love the title of this post! I could see it as the title of an indie film that has only the most tangential relation to donkeys. Your photo of lichen on a tree trunk reminds me of how entranced I was as a kid by the gray-green beauty of lichen. I thought it was just the most magical stuff to appear on trees and rocks!
I remember an art master telling us that no trees were brown. Thanks very much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick. I could see an art master saying that no trees are brown.
Oh the river Avon is a placid and calm setting – 😉
Yes – although fuller than often. Thanks very much, Yvette
😊
Looks like a beautiful day.
It was – much better than forecast. Thanks a lot, Mrs W
That is good.
The donkeys may not have been a fan (or the driver of that truck haha) but I sure enjoyed it!! <3 Lovely pictures as always, I also enjoyed the ducks!
Thanks very much, M.B.
Watery wonderland
Thanks a lot, Sheree
That stream was moving. I would not be crossing on that unguarded bridge. 😯
Fortunately there is a guarded footbridge too. The donkeys could have used that, but approached the one for traffic. Thanks a lot, AnneMarie
I absolutely adored your photo of the troop of donkeys gathering on the edge of the road-bridge, contemplating the torrent… one for “Derrick Photo Files”
I look forward to seeing what you do with it, Ivor. Thanks very much.
Loving the donkeys and all that water. I don’t blame them for not risking the crossing.
They must have wondered what was going on, Sue. Thanks you very much
A sensible choice by the donkeys, I thought.
Yes. Thanks a lot, Tootlepedal
So many donkeys… Your “place” is amazing. Pity for the Côtes du Rhone though. You will have to open another bottle. It’s a hard life.
Cheers, Brian
Looks like there must’ve been heavy rainfall somewhere upstream.
Yes. We have been having a lot lately. Much more with heavy winds last night. Thanks very much, Rosaliene
There’s rain in our forecast on Monday, but it’s never enough to relieve our drought conditions.
Wonderful post, Derrick! I love the donkeys and of course the swans. Great title!
Thanks very much, Jill
The water looks a tad cold, I don’t blame the donkeys.
Thank you very much, Gary
I love the water pictures, the different colors, the flow. The first one is the best for me.
Thanks very much, Bridget
I’m glad Mama Donkey and foal got the water then needed. I like the mushrooms and the lichen close up. I have used a sponge to make a lichen type pattern on the wood frame of my fireplace, but not so dramatic as your close up.
Thank you very much, JoAnna. Your fireplace sounds interesting
I especially love your closeups.
Thanks a lot, Judy
So lovely to see so many beautiful 2 and 4 legged animals enjoying the autumn sun.
And the wonderful lichen and fungi too…
A visit to friends,
and the day completed by warming meat and vegetable stewp & fresh crusty bread,
yesterday sounds a perfect autumn day!
Have a good one today… though we may not see so many bright rays, looking out of the window just now!
Sky looking promising here. I hope it does for you, too. Thanks very much, Emma.
I liked the photographs of the lichen. It’s a lovely shade of green.
It is. We have it in our kitchen, John. Thanks very much
Donkeys! Br-YAY!!! 😛 The Spotted Donkey Restaurant looks busy! 😉 😀
Ducks always look so friendly and easy-going. Swans so regal and confident.
Love the layers of Mother Nature, and the layers of colour, in the last photo!
(((HUGS))) 🙂
Thanks very much from us both, Carolyn X
Wow! so many donkeys. We do have rainfall over an extended period resulting overflowing river.
Thanks very much, Rupali
Great photos Derrick! I love the toadstools! What happens to the donkeys. Do they just wander around all year round. Are they of any use to anyone? Bought or sold?
The photos are excellent and the photo of the donkeys is priceless!
Thank you very much, Eugi
You’re welcome, Derrick.
LOVE the title and the pictures of all of those beautiful donkeys! It’s so funny that they all decided, NOPE, not doing that! They are smarter than the drivers of the cars – I’m always seeing videos of cars whose drivers were pretty sure they could make it through the water and were wrong.
Thanks very much, Jodie. Night night
Sweet dreams, Derrick.
Gorgeous photos! Those donkeys look really happy 😃
They are gentle, adaptable souls, Ribana. Thank you very much
Donkeys are quite fun and we enjoyed caring for a couple in Spain during our housesitting days. Derrick, I enjoy how you include what your wife and yourself have had for dinner, a fun perspective on a bloggers life 🙂
Thank you very much, Suzanne.
The rippling stream photos are fantastic, Derrick, but not to the donkeys, it seems.
I’m pleased you liked them, Dolly. Many thanks
The pleasure is mine, Derrick.
You’ve had quite a bit of rain! I love the donkeys. We are getting a good bit of rain here tonight, and for another week according to the forecast.
Thank you very much, Lavinia. I hope you get enough rain
The troop of donkeys that wouldn’t waste through the torrent and then lined up to savour the hedge has presented interesting opportunities for the camera. The family of swans look very pretty too.
Thank you overmuch, Uma
*wade through
Ha! I like the line of donkey butts! I was mesmerized by your photos of the water. The details are extraordinary up close like that.
Thank you so much, Crystal