This morning was again sunless, but this time rainless, as Jackie and I once more filled our Modus with soggy garden refuse which we unloaded at Efford Recycling Centre (otherwise known as the dump) and continued on a forest drive.
We turned left off Camden Lane into
another, which soon ran alongside private woodland. Clearly we were lucky to have progressed along this route, for a large tree had recently fallen across it.
Some pig farmers, responding to the early fall of acorns, had already loosed their animals in order, snuffling and snorting, to root them up.
Seven gleeful piglets dashed across the green, snouts to the ground.
The Gloucester Old Spot intent on dogging my heels must have been their mother.
I am not sure what she did to one youngster when their nose-rings clashed on one apparently tasty morsel, but the youngster leapt with a squeal in the air and swiftly trotted to a safe distance.
Its face made clear its shocked innocence.
Further on a Saddleback sow scavenged for mast.
Nearby it seemed clear that pigs could fly – up a tree at least.
The lane narrowed as we left the farm section and tracked the woodland. Suddenly I exclaimed “There is something red in there. I don’t know what it is but it might have legs”. We had by now passed it. My long-suffering Chauffeuse reversed with some difficulty until we reached the small gap in the hedge.
The “something red” had moved behind branches but it did have legs. Was it a young red deer? It unexpectedly displayed the curiosity of
these two usually inquisitive sheep.
This afternoon I posted https://derrickjknight.com/2022/09/15/a-knights-tale-116-1-cumbrian-interludes/
This evening we dined on well cooked roast lamb, roast potatoes, carrots, cauliflower, and broccoli, followed by moist bread and butter pudding. Jackie drank more of the Sauvignon Blanc, I finished the Burgundy, and Dillon and Flo drank fruit cordial.
Great photos, Derrick, my mother loved pigs so much. My folks’ home had little piggy statues and trinkets all around. I wonder why they have nose rings though.
It is to stop them rooting up the soil. Thanks very much, John
I see, I had no idea, thanks, Derrick.
Nor me until we came here
Such wonderfully atmospheric photos… beautifully lit for the end of the summer.
And your narrative makes the visuals into a real performance!!
Well spotted re the deer – I’m glad your Chauffeur was so obliging (and so good at reversing!)
Thank you so much, Emma
Only are missing ,the cows! Continue to go to the Efford Recycling Centre. On the way you found unexpected diversified animals
This is a poem in images, Derrick
In friendship
Michel
Thank you so much, Michel, mon ami
What beautiful faces posed for you today! 🙂 Wonderful photos and beautifully descriptive narration! 🙂
HA! on the piggy with the shocked innocence! 😀
HA! on the piggy in the tree! 😛
“Seven gleeful piglets dashed across the green, snouts to the ground…” sounds like THE perfect opening line for a wonderful children’s book on pigs! 🐖🐷🐖🐷 Maybe a countdown book from 7 to 0!
(((HUGS))) 🙂
PS…”Never wrestle with a pig. You just get dirty and the pig enjoys it.” – George Bernard Shaw
Thank you very much for all these observations, Carolyn X
🙂
I love the inquisitive red deer photo with the branches/vines and gnarled tree bark.
Thank you so much, Liz. I was very pleased to catch that
You’re welcome, Derrick. Definitely worth turning around for!
Those pigs are adorable, particularly the Gloucester Spot
Thanks very much, Sheree
I love the photograph of the sheep with their smooth woollen coats.
Thank you very much, John
I think Pigs are so full of personality… lol Very intelligent…. Lol to the flying Pig.. 🙂
Thank you very much, Sue
All in all, quite a delightful and busy day! ‘Im indoors and I had a mini-adventure too. Invited to a ‘Secret Garden’ behind a favourite restaurant, along with ten other people, we found a delightful, treed and shady spot (passing roaming peacocks, hens and their young…) where we lunched on various, tasty tapas: aioli on warm bread, mini cheese tarts, tortilla, salad, lentils, meat balls, & a selection of cold meats, while entertained by a talented guitarist. The sun shone & there was a gentle breeze. What more could we have wished for! (A few miles from Torrevieja, Spain) Here’s to more tasty lunches! Cheers.
An idyllic tale, Joy. Thank you very much
Supper sounds delicious.
And another treat for me seeing the pigs again.
Thank you very much, Sue. I am rather liking the fact that you get previews of the pictures and the stories follow 🙂
Yes! I like that too 🙂
X
I’m a bit confused. The picture of what looks like branch broken off a tree is what look like pig flying? I may not have the proper glasses on to see it clearly. Thanks. Pat
It is a face with at least one ear – sawn off branches produce the image. Thank you very much, Pat
I love the tree climbing pig.
I’m pleased, John. To turn the corner and look up at that was marvellous. Thank you very much
I like the pig with a button for an eye. I had to look several times at that picture.
Thanks very much, Tootlepedal. I thought it worth including despite the lack of focus.
Your forays evoke the countryside in the television series “All Creatures Great and Small”. Perhaps it’s the farm animals.
Quite likely, Doug. Thanks very much
I’m glad the pigs got to have some fun and freedom. Nice looking sheep.
Thanks very much, JoAnna
Pig politics. No matter the species…
Thank you very much, Laurie
Ha. The one photo makes it look like the pig has a metal button for an eye. Love the photos of the white pigs!!!
Thank you so much, Judy. I’m pleased you noticed the button eye
So glad you didn’t have ham for dinner.
A good thought, Judy 🙂 Thanks very much
Thank you for the pig post, Derrick. I love those Gloucester Old Spots. As for mother pig clashing over a tasty morsel with a youngster, I have seen that happen here with deer. I watched a doe conk her offspring on the head with a hoof over a fallen apple.
Thank you very much, Lavinia. I identified the Gloucester Old Spots for you. That deer was a bit harsh
“Nearby it seemed clear that pigs could fly – up a tree at least.” LOL! This made me laugh! Great shots, Derrick.
Some of those pigs need a bit of fattening up.
https://pacificparatrooper.files.wordpress.com/2021/09/when-pigs-fly-e1632913083871.jpg
So glad they released the pigs!
This might show it better…
https://pacificparatrooper.files.wordpress.com/2022/09/when-pigs-fly-animated.gif
Definite proof. Thank you very much, GP
Interesting pictures from your drive.
Thanks very much, Andy
You’re welcome.
What a variety of adorable animals! Pigs have so much personality and I had no idea they could climb a tree,
Thank you so much, Eugi
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Wonderful photos, Derrick. Those button eyes are a bit creepy. 🙂
And flying pigs–how wonderful.
I love how your last two photos, the lovely little deer and the sheep, have the same expressions looking at you.
Thank you so much. I suspect the deer was too young to be very timid
HI Derrick, I have never seen pigs running about freely like this, in trees or on the ground. Great pictures.
Thank you so much, Robbie. From Monday, when Pannage starts there will be many more
A wonderful story and and great photos to go with it. The flying pig was very clever of you to spot. And yay to Jackie for backing up fast enough for you to catch the deer shot.
Thanks very much from us both, Jodie
xo
Mmm, bread-n-butter pud … must have a word with Mrs Widds. 😀
🙂 Enjoy. Thanks very much, Widders
I wondered about the nose rings too! Saw your answer. Quite interesting!
Thanks very much, Aletta
That “something red” with legs is adorable! Beautiful photos!