Yesterday I mentioned that Jackie and I had taken a forest drive which I would feature today.
This is that drive.
On Cadnam Lane we were subject to the scrutiny of donkeys on Country Watch. Like police officers on surveillance one was fixed on the suspects while the other was taking a rest.
Further along we encountered the first of what would be a number of donkey foals we would meet on our drive.
Ponies foraged along both sides of the verges at Furzey.
Cattle and ponies shared the pasturage of Penn Common;
I walked along the road towards Bramshaw to investigate a distant group of ponies and flock of sheep.
A slow moving tractor with its lights flashing came into view before I reached my targets.
Outside Bramshaw we noticed what Jackie termed
a city of fungi perched in tiers on the sides of the cliffside roots of
a recently fallen tree still bearing
penknife graffiti which will merge into the soil sooner than if its carved bark had remained on a living tree.
This afternoon Becky drove Flo and Ellie to her home at Southbourne, where they will spend a day or two.
Jackie and I then dined at The Red Lion in Pilley. My choice was a rib eye steak, and Jackie’s a Cajun chicken burger. Each with all the trimmings was excellent. Drinks were Diet Pepsi and Ringwood’s Best respectively.
Wonderful pictures, great post🙏.
Thanks very much, Eunice
You are welcome.
Best the countryside has to offer. Beautiful photos.
Thank you so much, VJ
Very beautiful photos of the horses, guys! Dinner sounds delicious. ❤️🇬🇧
Thanks a lot from us both, John
You are welcome, guys! ☺️🇬🇧
Both the photos of the ‘donkeys standing guard’ and the ‘fungi city’ are fascinating and well worth placing into my “Derrick File”
Cheers, Ivor
So many beautiful photos–the expression of the undercover donkey detectives, the city of fungi, and the bark graffiti are all fascinating. I think my favorites though are the three in a row photos–the two cattle (white one wearing black spats), and the white horse who seems to be posing for a portrait. The light is beautiful.
Thanks you so much, Merril
I would really hate to be called “Spud”.
Thanks a lot, John
I love all the animals you encounter.
The furry foal reminds me.of Emmett. Where are the foraging pigs?
I heard some behind a hedge, but didn’t seen any that day. Thanks very much, Pat
Mushroms time is there, Derrick ! My daughter who lives in England is probablly picking them ! 🙂
In friendship
Michel
Thanks very much, friend Michel. We haven’t seen as many as usual this year
I’m thinking the donkey foal must have a wet coat; it surely is cute, with that fuzzy coat. The photo of the sole white horse is especially nice, but I rather enjoyed the pair of white and red cows striding along so purposefully. As for Spud — there’s a police department in San Augustine, Texas, that had a guinea pig as a mascot. It was named Spud because of its resemblance to a good-sized baked potato.
Thank you so much, Linda. Yes, it was a showery day
The city of fungi is really reminiscent of some of the photos one sees of Japanese and Chinese villages built on cliffsides — a very apt comment! I love that you can seemingly take off in any direction you wish and drive past feral ponies! What a wonderful tradition!
I had a similar impression 🙂
So did we. Thank you both very much
Thank you so much, Janet
I particularly liked your Penn Common shots today.
Thanks very much, Tootlepedal
Where again do you live? Narnya?
Thanks a lot, Brian. Much more magical 🙂
Sounds – and looks – like a perfect day, Derrick. Love the white pony (well, not literally, but you know what I mean).
I do, Mike. Thank you very much
So many wonderful critter photos, Derrick. I enjoyed these. Dinner sounds yummy!
Thank you very much, Jill. Possibly a jigsaw puzzle for you 🙂
For sure! 🙂
Love the city of fungi. They brought to mind apartment buildings on a mountainside.
Yes. Thanks very much, Rosaliene
My two favorites our of this group are the cows, who look to be striding so purposefully, and the white pony, which looks to be emerging from a fairy tale.
Thank you so much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick.
I love the animals you encounter along these forest drives, Derrick and Jackie. The mushrooms do resemble a city on a hillside. That was a nice find! That fallen tree might have lived longer without graffiti carved into its bark. Wounds like that allow pathogens in which weaken the tree.
Thank you so much, from us both, Lavinia
I chuckled at myself getting excited by the title of this post and then seeing the pretty donkey. I love how you appreciate the natural world around you and share it with us.
Thank you very much, JoAnna
You have chosen an apt title – and in typical fashion made us wait before you revealed it! It is worth the wait though for I enjoyed the entertainment along the way.
Thank you so much for your appreciation, Anne
Aaah Derrick, Mushrooms.I don’t think we will ever know the full wonder of Mushrooms.
Just read the first paragraph of https://gardens.si.edu/learn/blog/mushrooms-vital-to-ecosystems-and-a-culinary-delight/ I am a fan of mushrooms.
Thanks a lot, John – for reading, for commenting, and for the link
Fungi City is so interesting and beautiful! I bet fun abounds! 😉 😀
What a lovely drive! And the equine and bovine friends you met along the way are divine!!! 😉
You know I loves the donkeys! 🙂
(((HUGS))) 🙂 ❤️
Thank you so much, Carolyn X
I do like that fungi city.
Thanks very much, Andrew
A quiet house for a couple of days but I expect you’ll miss them.
I like Jackie’s fungi description too.
Thank you so much from us both, Sue
Lovely photos of your four-legged neighbours
Thank you very much, Sheree
Nice gallery, Derrick.
Thanks very much, Rupali
I know i always compliment your posts, especially if they have my ponies and other animals in it – BUT – this is OUTSTANDING. Each picture is incredibly!
What a delightful post! So many animals to admire, from the watchful donkeys to that ethereal white horse. You live in a place of beauty.
Fabulous photos! Takes me to another world.
I’m pleased, Eugi. Thanks very much
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Sounds like a wonderful day well spent. I can think of few more photogenic creatures than donkey foals – just heartwarming!
Thank you so much, Anna
Loved the city
Thank you very much, Flower
HI Derrick, great pictures of fungi (they always fascinate me) and horses. Your dinners sound delicious.
Thank you so much, Robbie
OMG that first photo is hilarious! The “YOU ARE BEING WATCHED!” sign with the donkey looking AND your commentary – that’s good stuff. And that baby donkey! So sweet. The city of fungi reminds me of photos my architect daughter sent me of villages on a cliff in Italy.
Thank you very much, Jodie. I am pleased you appreciated the fun and the city
Yes- very much! <3
As if being watched stealthily wasn’t spooky enough, there seems to be an entire equine army in various states action and somnolence doing the honour. They have been captured magnificently and are a sight to behold, as is the city of fungi. People etch their names and messages on stationary structures to lend immortality to their feelings. Sadly, it is an illusion but.
Thank you very much, my eloquent friend
I do love those beautifully composed studies of the New Forest’s creatures. You’ve caught thecaytumn colours so delicately too.
Thank you very much, Roland
I love the shot of that fungi and the ones of all the ponies!
Thank you very much, Geetha
That white pony looks like it came straight out of a fairy tale! Beautiful!!
Thank you so much, Jan
That’s a fairyland of fungi.
Thanks very much, Lindsey
Those police officers on surveillance are way too cute! And that really looks like a city of fungi! 🍄
I’m pleased you liked them, Ribana. Thanks very much
Enchanting pictures!!
Thank you very much, Lori
Nice ride. Thanks for sharing. I still have to find my way to your new blog. Your Gravatar still sends to the old one. You might want to change that.
Cheers Derrick.
Thanks very much, Brian. That should have been corrected yesterday. Jetpack was sending people to the old site
Yep. I’ll check later. have a nice wek-end…