On a much cooler and overcast morning Jackie drove me into the forest.
The water tubs at the start of Sowley Lane had been refilled, and we saw another on St Leonard’s Road.
Barley fields on either side of Tanner’s Lane are producing fine crops, perhaps a little early.
Against the backdrop of the Isle of Wight the Solent gently rippled with choppy waves slipping over the grating shingle beach.
Plants clinging to the ancient stone walls of St Leonard’s Granary, and the sweep of sward outside the grange were beginning to die back, although the no doubt well irrigated lavender borders remained bright.
The pool alongside the Grange where we often see groups of ponies drinking was becoming very dry. The close-up of the marsh ragwort was produced by Jackie.
The ponies and foals gathered together further along St Leonard’s Road know instinctively to avoid the familiar yellow plants which are poisonous to them.
This afternoon the clouds were swept away from the garden as the sun brought back the heat. Later Flo watered and dead-headed; Jackie planted, watered, and dead-headed; I just dead-headed – quite a lot.
This evening we dined on succulent roast chicken; crisp Yorkshire pudding; boiled new potatoes; crunchy carrots; firm cauliflower and broccoli; tender green beans; and tasty gravy, with which Jackie drank Hoegaarden, Flo drank mixed fruit cordial, and I finished the Cabernet Sauvignon.
Such an interesting post! The photos are amazing ?
Thank you so much, Luisa
My pleasure!?
I hope your heatwave abates soon, Derrick. The home with the lavender on either side of the driveway is beautiful! I feel bad for the animals, they don’t have many options to stay cool.
Thank you very much, John
My sister used to be a flight attendant. When any airline employees catch a free ride somewhere and are not working, I think it is called deadheading. Sounds more fun than cutting off dear flowers and leaves in the heat. ???
🙂 Thanks very much, Pat
Sad about the drought. Man causes it no doubt. I have little sympathy left for humanity when everyone is seemingly ignoring the future of the planet.
That certainly seems to be the case, Sherry. Thanks very much
The horses looked less hot and bothered today
I was thinking the same thing, Sheree.
Thanks very much, Sheree
I love the composition of the first grange ruin photo.
Thank you very much, Liz. I asked my Chauffeuse to back up a few yards for that
You’re welcome, Derrick.
I agree, Liz.
That lavender is really beautiful. I can remember years ago going to Norfolk and the road going between fields of lavender, and the smell was absolutely stunning.
Thanks very much, John
You can’t have too much dead heading.
It is strange to see the ragwort growing where the horse are. In Australia we are told that it is particularly noxious to horses. If it is cut and ends up in bales of hay the smell that makes horse avoid it fades and they will eat it. It harms the liver and can eventually cause death. Also it is often confused with St John’s wort which is used in alternative medicine.
The fields used for hay are always treated with weed killer before hay making season begins, therefore its very unlikely that ragwort would be present amongst the bales.
Thank you very much, John
Those lavender borders are just so lush and stunning. Gorgeous. I just love the little foal with the white dot who can’t take his eye off of you. He’s looking into the camera in almost every photo!
He was indeed, Jodie. Thanks very much
<3
I can just imagine the last 4 photos as jig-saw puzzles.
They would be really good ones. Thanks very much, Chrissy
The granary has such a look, lonesome yet with dignity.
Thank you very much, Laurie
Gorgeous photos, Derrick! I hope you get some rain soon! Dinner sounds yummy!
Thank you very much, Jill
Adore those lavender borders on the driveway up to St Leonard’s Grange, they are very bright Derrick …
Thank you very much, Ivor
Lavenders look so soothing and colourful amidst the dreary landscape. Hope the dry spell abates soon.
Thank you very much, gc
I’m glad the clouds gave you a break from the heat. The light brown foal who keeps look at you is handsome. It’s interesting how that window or door of the ruins stands strong and tall in spite of all the years and weather.
looking at you.
It really is a magnificent tribute to the early builders, JoAnna. Thanks very much
The foals are growing up, and more in proportion to their long legs!
The barely fields are beautiful, and remind me of the song “Fields of Gold”
That lavender is a lovely shade of purple, and looks well watered.
Thank you very much, Lavinia
I was intrigued by your title and waited in anticipation to find where there poison was hiding – you’re so good at that. I find it interesting that the ponies avoid eating the ragwort and then from Paol Soren that the smell of the plant helps prevent the animals from eating what is noxious to them.
Thank you very much, Anne. I’m pleased you appreciate how I hold my powder 🙂
People are so kind to leave out supplies of water for the thirsty animals.
Thanks very much, Sue
Wonderful photos, Jackie and Derrick! 🙂
I love seeing the tubs of water for the animals! They must endure a lot of stress in hot weather.
The lavender is lovely! We have a lot of it growing wild in our neighborhood. 🙂
Good to see the foals!
Your barley fields photos are my faves today! 🙂 Gate to the Barley Field…love it! 🙂
(((HUGS))) ❤️
Thank you so much from us both, Catherine XX
Beautiful photos, as always, Derrick (and Jackie). The heat and dryness makes some of the area look autumnal, and the lavender and green certainly stand out.
I like how the yellow poisonous flowers add a glow to the pony and foals photos.
It’s been so green here, but it’s starting to look a bit brown. We have an extreme heat advisory and air quality alert for the weekend.
Thanks very much, Merril. I hope you remain unscathed
Our a/c has been on full-time.
Ah, my ponies were so photogenic yesterday, weren’t they? Great post, you two!
Thank you so much from us both, GP
The lavender is lovely and it’s amazing how animals are keenly instinctive about what is poisonous to them.
Thank you very much, Eugi
You’re welcome, Derrick.
I love that barley field photo – brings me back to my days in California’s central valley. And of course, the ponies and foals always intrigue me. I would not have known what a “grating shingle beach” is if we had not experienced it with you. Quite unique! You had a varied and busy day. Good luck with all that dead-heading, Derrick & Jackie!
Thank you so much from us both, Jan XX
Those lavender borders look amazing and I’m now very much fancying a roast chicken dinner! 🙂
Thanks very much, Nikki
Hi Derrick – that light brown foal is precious. Do you think they feel the heat the way we do?
The way they cluster under trees suggests that they do, Barbara. Thank you very much
A fine crop of barley and I do like those stone walls!
Thanks very much, Amanda. They are about 500 years old
Wow! That is mind blowing. They were there before Australia, was even on the map.
Indeed. You might like this post: https://derrickjknight.com/2022/01/24/a-prospective-crows-nest/
Beautiful photos! Those lavender borders are gorgeous!
Thank you very much, Ribana