Early this morning I watched recordings of the Women’s Rugby World Cup matches between New Zealand and Scotland, and between Australia and Wales.
Before this balmy midday Jackie drove us to Tesco for shopping, and on to a forest drive.
The pannage pigs we encountered just outside Burley were Oxford Sandy and Blacks, silently rooting acorns from beneath heaps of fallen leaves.
Further on into the village a cyclist resting on a bench in Pound Lane became the accidental centre of attention for
groups of visitors focussing on wandering ponies.
He was very happy when I quipped “You will appear in lots of photographs”.
As so often, ponies and a foal wandered about the village car park.
This year, possibly, we thought, because of the long summer heat wave drying the soil to the consistency of rock, there has been a dearth of mushrooms in the woodlands, which are now receiving life-giving rainfall.
A cluster around a group of birch trunks in Beechwood Lane is the first such quantity we have seen.
This evening we dined on meaty roasted chicken thighs; crisp Yorkshire pudding; crunchy carrots; firm cauliflower, broccoli and Brussels sprouts, with tasty onion gravy. Jackie drank Hoegaarden and I drank more of the Shiraz.
Those beautifully coloured pigs blend in well with the autumnal leaves at their feet; the young girl’s top matches her feet very well too. I particularly enjoy the photograph of the fungus.
Thank you so much, Anne
Perfect pig pictures!
Thanks very much, Laurie
You always make your meals sound so tasty. At first I thought the pig in that second pig photowas covered with stars…Look quickly at it and you’ll see what I mean.
Well spotted, Judy. Thanks very much
Children, ponies, a happy cyclist and pigs -a wonderful Autumn day!! Great job, Derrick!
Thank you so much, GP
The piggies have nice colors!
Thank you very much, John
Welcome! ☺️
A lot of alibis that young man has. I don’t think he’s a suspect. 😉 A good mystery book idea. LOL!
That is a lot of mushrooms.
Thanks very much, Chrissy
More lovely porkers – thank you Derrick
Much appreciated, Sheree
The Plum Pudding Pig – probably my favourite breed. A nice set of photographs.
Thanks very much, Quercus. A good name for them
We had some on the farm once – lovely character and not as evasive as Tamworths. 🙂
https://plumpuddingpigs.com/
That was a good link. As I approached them with my camera, a couple who had been doing the same thing told me how friendly they were.
A very pleasant animal – you can see why Lord Emsworth liked to chat with the Empress.
The prettiest porkers around. Lovely forest drive.
Thank you very much, Pat. You were in our minds as we took this forest drive
Hope I was a pleasant addition…
You were – even to the extent of my thinking it was time I gave you one 🙂
Ha! What you said to the cyclist is so great and brings smiles! He seems to be popular with the ponies! He looks like a fun guy! 😉 😀 And speaking of fungi…Ha! great mushrooms photo!
Phenomenal photos of piggly pigs ‘n’ pretty ponies! 🙂
Love that little girl’s “Always be you” top and matching shoes! 🙂
(((HUGS))) 🙂 ❤️
Thank you very much, Carolyn. As usual I like your wordplay X
Animals freedom! Like in a dream, Derrick
In friendship
Michel
Thank you so much, friend Michel
Yes, we’ve had plenty of “”life-giving rainfall” up here too. Roads have been flooded and traffic brought to a temporary stop. So many extremes in the climate nowadays!
Thanks very much, John
A beautiful autumn sojourn for you. The pigs are perfect!
Thank you very much, Jane
A fine bunch of pigs.
Thanks very much, Tootlepedal
I love the second photo of the little girl patting the pony. It’s very touching.
I was very pleased with it. Thanks very much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick.
That’s a handsome cyclist and a delightful little girl patting the pony. It’s nice to see such casual and easy interactions among people.
Now Liz, did you mean to make that faux-pun about patting and touching?
If that’s meant for me, I’m not Liz. And no: I intended nothing except a word of appreciation for both the cyclist and the girl. Well, and the pony, who’s also quite handsome.
No, it was meant for Liz Gauffreau, but the comment didn’t appear below hers!
Ah! That explains it!
Yes, indeed, Linda. Thank you very much
Poor little piggies. Little do they know where all this delicious feasting is heading towards.
Thanks very much, Yvonne. True
It’s both unusual and wonderful to have ponies, donkeys, and pigs wandering free around town and country. I’m glad the culture there appreciates them, or at least accepts them. Nice combination of birch, moss and mushrooms.
Thank you very much, JoAnna. I thought you would like that last one
Wonderful as usual sir.
Thank you very much, Gary
Your forest drives always provide you with a lot of different photos to showcase. The fungi looks amazing.
Thank you very much, Aletta
That is the most beautiful pig I have ever set my eyes on. I am sure the cyclist is blessed — I am feeling jealous though.
Thank you so much, Uma. I trust you are all well
We are well, Derrick. Thank you.
That is good
I thought I’d already commented. Obvisously I hadn’t.
I love the cyclist – he seems quite happy and totally unconcerned about the extra attention from both two legged and four!
He was. Thanks very much, Sue
I love the pigs! Thanks for sharing, Derrick.
Much appreciated, Jill
Beautiful photos, especially the little girl patting the pony!
Thank you very much, Eugi. A favourite of mine
My pleasure, Derrick.
Beautiful photos. I especially like the colors of the pigs in the autumn light.
Your title sounds like a fortune cookie, and I wondered who the you would be. 🙂
Those are handsome spotted pannage pigs, Derrick! So that breed is called Oxford Sandy and Blacks. Thank you for identifying them. It looks like life in your area, including the mushrooms, is getting back to normal after the summer heat.
Thank you so much, Lavinia
Girl with pony is the best!
Agreed, Alexander. Thank you very much
I always love seeing those spotted pigs! Your meal sounded delicious, Derrick… and I thought it was fun to learn you had Shiraz with your meal tonight I did, too!!
Thank you so much, Jan