Early this sultry late summer morning, Jackie and I transported a few items to the Oakhaven Trust Charity shop and emerged with two Thomas Webb crystal wine glasses. When I quipped that we never came back from the Council dump empty handed I received the riposte: “so you are saying we are like the dump?”. We then bought a bottle of Marsannay Louis Latour Burgundy from M & S with a voucher Joseph and Angela had given me for my birthday.
We continued on a forest drive, where ponies were taking up their shade stations as they are wont to do in such weather. As we drove down Forest Road from Burley towards one such location
we noticed a near miss involving the vehicle that preceded the van above. A bay mare, followed by her foal dashed across from the undergrowth on the left side of the picture forcing the driver of a car in the process of passing the equine obstruction to practice his or her emergency stop skills.
The two ponies disappeared among the gorse bushes. I followed what I took to be their track, wandered around in an unsuccessful search,
scanned the empty moorland, and returned to the verge, where
the dam munched grass, and her foal
took a shady spot, before, not having learned a lesson, deciding to join the others
obstructing the traffic – and of course slowing us somewhat.
While seeking the dashing pair I had spoken with a young man walking down the road, telling him what I had seen. He warned that there was another group similarly spread across the road outside his house. He also said that he thought pannage was needed early because these animals were already eating fallen acorns which are poisonous to them. This year the pigs will be let out to snort up the mast on 19th.
As we passed his house we encountered the next road block.
After lunch I undertook an extensive dead heading session. It looks as if we will have many more roses yet.
Later, I added the pictures of Elizabeth and Ellie to https://derrickjknight.com/2022/09/11/elizabeth-meets-ellie/
This evening the four of us dined on succulent roast chicken; sage and onion stuffing; crisp Yorkshire pudding and fried potatoes; firm carrots, cauliflower, and broccoli; and very tasty gravy. Jackie drank Hoegaarden, I finished the Côtes du Rhône, and Flo and Dillon drank fruit cordial.
These are such magnificent animals, I would hate to see them hurt by acorns! RELEASE THE PIGS!!
Thanks a lot, GP. Now there is more fresh grass they may not be tempted too much
Maybe it’s my imagination, but the horses look healthier to me than they did when it was so hot and dry. It sounds like a good day. ?
Not your imagination, Merril.Thank you very much.
Exquisite black and white photo, Derrick.
I hoped you would like that one, Dolly. Thanks very much
You are very welcome, Derrick.
When do you plan to enjoy your Burgundy?
Possibly tonight 🙂 Thanks very much, Sylvie
?
Great photos today, Derrick! I’m glad you had a nice day. I did a dead heading session over the weekend, too.
Thanks very much, Jill
Great pics, although I was also hoping to see those wine glasses.
Normally I would have photographed them, but I am very constrained until my problem with WP is ironed out, possibly by the end of this week, Peggy. Thanks very much
Nice photographs as always, and one particularly lovely black and white one.
Thank you very much, John
It’s surprising that the horses eat acorns if they are poisonous to them. Although I’ve no idea how I’d expect them to make the connection, except that animals (and people) often do. Several people told me recently that deer will not eat foxgloves for example.
Yes, I thought so, too. They do seem to avoid ragwort, though. Thank you very much, Susan
Scary combination…dashing, or even ambling, equine + moving cars. 😮 🙁
Your photos today are so beautiful! Especially the B&W photo.
I guess we must always remember to slow down in life…we never know who, or what, is up ahead.
(((HUGS))) 🙂
PS…“Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
What a marvellous quote, Carolyn, especially now we can do it. Thanks very much X
The best and most interesting road blocks ever.
I hope that the season lasts long enough for your dead heading to pay off handsomely. It is insufficiently recognised as the supreme gardening skill.
Thanks a lot, Tootlepedal.
I hope nothing happens to those beautiful horses. I worry about Molly a lot. She eats anything and everything. This week she has a particular fondness for clay flower pots.
Oh dear. I thought dogs avoided noxious food. Thanks very much, AnneMarie
I continue to love the empty moorland color palette.
Thank you very much, Liz.
You’re welcome, Derrick.
I meant to add that the black-and-white pony photo reminds me of an old Western movie. Something about the poses and positions of the two animals in the landscape.
Thanks again, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick.
I’m thankful the driver’s emergency stopping skills worked well. I imagine driving well below the speed limit would be in order.
Certainly, but, although not in this instance, it is often ignored. Thanks very much, JoAnna
I am glad you can share your photos. Thank you Derrick.
Much appreciated, Lakshmi
There is not much room left on the road once the ponies take up their shady spots … and thank you for the Begonia tips, … and despite my back soreness, the begonia was repotted in a much pot …
Well done, Ivor. Thanks very much
Nice photos of your trip through the forest.
Thank you very much, Aletta
The images of the ponies creating their road blocks are just lovely.
Thank you very much, Sue
I always enjoy the horses.. I wish I could just transport with a wiggle of my nose to your wonderful landscapes.
Thank you so much, Q
We are in agreement with others that the B&W photo is wonderful to view. Thanks for sharing another fine gallery, Derrick!
Much appreciated, Maj and Sher
Some serious road blocks ??
Thanks very much, Ribana
Beautiful photos and I love the black and white photo.
Thank you very much, Eugi
You’re welcome, Derrick.
The road with ponies and cars becomes an adventure , Derrick.
Yes, indeed, Michel my friend
I enjoyed seeing all the ponies again, and I hope the foal eventually learns to stay out of the road.
I bet the pigs are counting the days until pannage. 🙂
Thank you very much, Lavinia
one pig’s meat is another horse’s poison
Yep. Thanks a lot, Andrew
The black and white was a nice choice.
Thank you very much, Crystal