Yesterday I experienced a muzzy-headed relapse – enough for me to turn down a trip to the forest for the first time ever. This morning we made up for it.
The mournful expressions of the dogs in the back of the SKODA trailing a pair of led horses bore evidence to our slow progress along Hordle Lane.
Our next hold up provided a lengthier photo opportunity in the form of the
four way traffic control on the A35 at Holmsley. There was ample time to study the different streams of vehicles as they were permitted to approach us while we sat at the red light. As previously reported the completion of the bridge refurbishment scheme has been delayed, but at least this narrow thoroughfare has been opened.
Further along our progress was hindered by Highway Maintenance work clearly designed ton keep heavy lorries off the gravelled lay-bys. Filling the holes that they churn up is very soon necessary, so there seems to be a comparatively new policy of blocking access with rows of posts.
As we continued along the forest roads I photographed some of the ancient hedgerows and fenced woodland, eventually turning my attention to
horses in the landscapes to our right. Jackie didn’t miss the opportunity to catch me on the job.
Thirsty ponies drank at the winter pool on Forest Road. The amount of yawning that was displayed suggested this was perhaps a tiresome task. A group of young cyclists became quite excited at the sight. The last four of the photographs in this gallery are by Jackie. Please don’t miss the reflection of the extended tongue in the second of these images.
This evening we dined on second helpings of Jackie’s choice chicken and vegetable stewp with which I drank Barossa Valley Shiraz 2017
Looks like a wonderful adventure. Glad you are feeling better today.
Thanks very much, Mrs W
You’re welcome.
Turn down a forest drive? I’m surprised Jackie didn’t whisk you off to the doctors. I love the mouth and tongue expressions of the gray/white horse. I’m getting more tongue slurping from the donkeys and goats these days. Lovely pictures.
Thank you so much, Pat 🙂
The world and his wife was out enjoying the mild weather.
Thanks very much, Sheree
That photogenic grey horse is quite the yawner. I did note the reflection of the tongue in the water. 🙂 Thank you for a pleasant virtual day in the forest, Derrick and Jackie!
Thank you very much from both of us, Lavinia
Sorry you had a relapse, it looks as though today’s trip made up for it. Can’t decide whether I am drawn more to the trees or the horses. Both, I guess!
Thank you very much, Laurie
When I clicked on your post and saw the horse, I thought he was yelling at me at top volume. Come to find out, he was just yawning. I’m wondering how old that ancient hedgerow would be.
Apparently some of the hedgerows are 1,000 years old. Thanks very much, Liz 🙂
You’re welcome, Derrick. That’s mind-boggling.
The wood lands and animals are so beautiful, thank you Derrick!
Much appreciated, Holly
Thank you Derrick
I’m glad you are feeling better today, Derrick. The white horse is funny, those teeth! I’ve never heard of a Skoda car, had to go look it up. We don’t have that brand here.
Thanks a lot, John. Back in the ’70s that was the joke car. Now much improved.
Really, that’s a long time to not improve. Sad! No Buicks, or Dodge? Ford?
That header photo is wonderful! (I thought he was yelling, too.) I’m glad you’re feeling better.
I love the photos of the ponies reflected while they’re drinking–Jackie’s photos of you and the reflected tongue (?) are wonderful, too.
Thank you very much from each of us, Merril
You’re welcome. ?
Glad you felt like getting out today. The yawning horse images are wonderful, as is the forlorn expressions on the pooches. Animals are so expressive!
Thank you very much, Maj
Some very quirky photographs there, although the best image is of your good self, Derrick, which deserves printing and a nice frame.
Thank you very much from us both, John
Some people’s busy day slows other people’s day down. 😉
Great photos, Jackie and Derrick! 🙂 🙂
Love the three ponies reflected in the pool!
Glad Jackie photo-ed you working! It’s evidence you are up and about and rarin’ to go! 🙂
The open-mouth pony…talkative, tired, tired of talking! HA! 😀 Oh, how clear that tongue is in the reflection! A little, but mighty part of the body! 😛
(((HUGS)))
Thank you so much from us both, Carolyn X
I am glad that your setback only lasted a day. A lovely selection of pictures when you did get past the traffic hold ups.
Thanks very much, Tootlepedal
I’ve never heard of a “muzzy-headed relapse.” That made me laugh, Derrick. Not the relapse, but the fact that it was “muzzy-headed.” 🙂 I loved the photos today! You looked dapper in your red vest!
Thank you very much, Jill
Good to hear you’re feeling better to enjoy an outing the next day. Horse poking its tongue out with the reflections image is interesting.
Thanks very much, Suzanne
It looks like this forest trip was well worth the wait. I like all those nooks and crannies in the mossy roots. i wondre if the grey horse ate something disagreeable.
Could be, JoAnna. Thanks very much
From which Barossa winery cometh your imbibement?
Signed by winemaker looking like S. G. Clohesy? Thanks very much, Yvonne
That would be Shane, he’s CEO of a mighty big wine consortium in South Australia. Folks like us keep him off the streets, eh?
Thanks for that clarification, Yvonne.
Sorry to hear about your relapse, stay safe.
Thanks a lot, Arlene. Back to normal today
Your photos of the ancient hedgerows were fascinating Derrick … I saved a couple of them in my ‘Derrick File’
Thanks very much, Ivor.
The woodland and reflection photos are fabulous, both yours and Jackie’s, Derrick.
Thanks you so much from us both, Dolly
Both of you are most welcome, Derrick.
Glad you felt better today so you didn’t miss out on some great equestrian mug shot opportunities!
Thanks very much, Anna
Love the tongues and teeth displays.
Thanks very much, Chrissy
The photos of the trees and horses are lovely!
Thank you very much, Aletta
Congestion on the road has presented excellent candid photo opportunity which you have capitalised fully. The journey ahead has been vividly photographed, the trees, foliage and ponies. For a while I was alarmed at the yawning of the grey one thinking it was undergoing some emergency. It turned out to be a bout of yawning —a rare capture.
Thank you so much, Uma
That’s quite a tongue and reflection ❣️Hope the fuzziness clears along with the roadworks.
Thanks very much from us both, Val. OK today X
You both brought a smile to this face this morning. You caught such different expressions from the ponies!!
That header photo brought an out-loud laugh when I opened your post. I had the sense he was either ‘yelling,’ or expressing a firm opinion. When I was out and about in seach of wildflowers this past weekend, I had the dubious pleasure of coming across similar road construction delays. It’s always a puzzlement: accident, or construction? There’s often no way to tell until a person moves to the head of the line. At least you knew what you were coping with!
We did. And we are very seldom in a hurry, Linda. Thanks very much
Amazing photos of the animals, especially the horse sticking its tongue out. I’m glad you’re feeling better.
Thank you very much, Eugi
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Quite a potpourri of pictures, Derrick. Was the white pony yawning or complaining that the brown pony was positioning its rear end in his direction? Nice weather always brings out the road crews.
I think that horse is laughing at you Derrick! Or maybe he has a bellyache!? :>)
Who knows, Dwight 🙂
:>)
a relative of mine who had Omicron said that her doctor says it will be around 3 months before it’s all “gone” – she still has a scratchy throat. And another friend of mine, said he needs more “naps” and he’s only just 50.
Thanks very much, Catherine
Awful traffic but the waiting was worth it! Beautiful photos Derrick! That tongue reflection is awesome ?
Thank you so much, Ribana