On our forest drive yesterday afternoon, we noticed far more than a normal number of ponies on the moorland flanking Holmsley Passage.
Jackie found a safe spot to park on the verges of the crumbling lane.
As I disembarked
the horses all moved on
and I made an uphill effort to keep pace with them until they stopped to
merge with the burnished bracken and dehydrated gorse stems while noisily tearing tufts of tasty turf.
Cyclists’ whizzing wheels occasionally warned me to keep to the edge as they sped round bends down the steep sinuous slope.
When we arrived home Jackie photographed a trio of pigeons in the now nearly naked weeping birch tree.
Early this morning I watched a recording of the Women’s Rugby World Cup teams of Australia and England splashing around the waterlogged Aukland pitch, drenched by sheets of rain in their quarter final match; then the other game between Canada and USA.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s tasty chicken and vegetable stewp with which I drank Calvet Prestige Côtes du Rhône Villages 2021, and the Culinary Queen didn’t.
You were inspired to write quite poetically today. Lovely writing and pictures. We finally got to see some piglets on a goat farm this morning. There were lots of oak trees hanging over their pen so they looked healthy and happy.
Thank you very much, Pat
Those horses look intent on getting all the best tasty turf!
Thanks very much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Hi Derrick – another nice outing – I hope the cyclists warn you when they’re up behind you. Here in the U.S. they call out a courteous “on your left” but they are pretty aggressive otherwise.
These two were friendly, but those now in the distance, less so. The wheels are my alert. I am amazed that they can coast downhill at School speed without coming a cropper. Thanks very much, Barbara
pretty impressive play, given the foul conditions…
Thanks very much, Geoff. The rain really came down on our way home – I was lucky
Your pony photos are marvellous and they have reminded me of the first combined poem I did with a photo of yours “White Pony”
Thank you very much, Ivor
My pleasure Derrick
I wonder if there was any specific reason for the ponies and horses to be congregating there?
None noticeable, John – but they can crop up anywhere. Thanks very much
Horses of a feather flock together! Very pretty animals.
Thanks very much, John
I’m glad the ponies are still finding plenty to eat due to October’s last flush of growth.
Thanks very much, Sue
I love the ponies in the wild and bleak landscape.
Thank you very much, Sherry
Must be so wonderful to see horses running free!
It is. Thanks very much, Julie
That does look like a very unreliable edge to your road.
It is hopeless – the gold coloured aggregate just crumbles away. Thank very much, Tootlepedal
I’ve heard that pedestrians have the right of way. But it is important for you and the ponies to stay safe.
All the animals except deer have the right of way, and incidents should be reported. Thanks very much, JoAnna
I’m happy you and Jackie had a nice outing. I love seeing all of the horses. Thanks for sharing, Derrick.
Much appreciated, Jill
Thank you very much, for those beautiful shots .
Much appreciated, Eunice
Wonderful that the ponies can roam freely. Your pictures illustrate how the horses are an integral part of the landscape.
I’m pleased you noticed that, Laurie. Thank you very much
Beautifully complementary colours today.
Thank you very much, Anne – especially for noticing and commenting on the colours
The skies look moody! Did you get any rain?
Pretty photos! Wonderful words!
Jackie’s photo is my fave today! 🙂 I love seeing birds “decorating” a tree! 🙂
(((HUGS))) ❤️❤️
Surely the Council should do something about those pot holes and verges?
Beautiful photos by you and Jackie. I had a hard time picking a favorite, but I think numbers 4 & 5 down from the top–for the colors, light, and composition.
Your comment about the beverages made me smile. All the pony photos could almost be from an earlier time.
A VERY GOOD DAY< Derrick!
I love the photos of the horses and the photo of the pigeons in the bare tree is wonderfully atmospheric.
I always love to see the ponies and horses. The tree looks like black lace against the sky. It reminded me of Ian Tyson’s song “Farewell to the North”.
Life is so full of adventure for you. God bless your chaffeuse who gets you out & about! The ponies never fail to delight! Have a happy week!
Derrick, I’m always curious about the horses. Does one person own them, several, or are they on their own, free to come and go as they please? Do they have a barn to retreat to if they do desire?
They are all owned by Commoners with ancestral pasturage rights. They spend all their lives in the open. Very Hardy. They are rounded up once a year and given a health check. Thanks very much, Steve
They’ve followed the tasty meal ?
Indeed, Ribana. Thanks very much ?