When my struggles to pay a couple of bills on line, although ultimately successful, this afternoon had reduced me to a state of apoplexy, Jackie suggested a forest drive. This seemed a good idea.
We had driven up to and beyond Penn Common without finding anything of photographic interest until we found fauna galore down
Newbridge Road, where Jackie parked the Modus and I wandered
among the cattle in the woodland where winter- shaggy curious cows and calves roamed, scratched, canoodled and occasionally disrupted traffic.
Further down the hill was the domain of ponies, also sporting their extra thick coats brought on by our recent cold spell.
A few of these had crossed the road to converse with field horses at their gate.
As we approached Bramshaw a string of Saddleback piglets escaping from a pen somewhere streamed across the road in front of us. Jackie wound down her window for me to catch them rushing by on the muddy verge. I almost missed Tail End Charlie who had put on a spurt in an attempt not to be left behind. He had even missed out on the complete colouring carried by his porcine cousins.
Later this afternoon, with the usual help from SueW, I recovered pictures to the following posts:
This evening we all dined on tasty roast gammon, piquant cauliflower cheese, creamy mashed potato, crunchy carrots, tender runner beans, cabbage, and leeks , with which Jackie drank Hoegaarden and I drank Coonawarra Shiraz 2021.
I remember the recovered photos and posts, Derrick. Great photo of so many critters! ☺️
Many thanks, John
You are welcome. ☺️
Poor old ‘Tail End Charlie’ — even missed out on the coloring of his friends! He must have been the runt of the litter! Somehow, the cows all seem a little grumpy!
Thanks very much, Janet. The cattle have a very fixed stare. Charlie certainly missed out
There’s a lot of animals in your area! Great photos!
Thank you so much, Aletta
Sorry about your bill paying, but your photos are wonderful. I love the running pigs. Perhaps they knew about your dinner. 😏
I wondered who would pick that one up. Whatever we had for dinner that day would likely have earned a similar comment. Thanks very much, Merril
You’re welcome, Derrick. 🙂
I think you might have managed to get away with fish & chips!
Just a day out for that 🙂
Great to see all those animals again!! Cows and horses and pigs, oh my!
Thanks very much, GP
I imagine that all these organic mowing machines keep the undergrowth at a minimum. 🙂
They do, indeed, Sherry – especially on the Burley golf course. Thanks very much 🙂
The best way to deal with a a stressful computer session is ditch it and go for a drive. Sounds like it was a good idea.
Quite so, Chrissy. Thanks very much
And this little piggie cried, wee, wee, wee all the way home!
Thank you for this fun comment, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick.
You were very brave to wander among so many horns.
Thanks a lot, Tootlepedal
It seems odd to me to see so many free-range domestic animals in the forest. I guess I expect photos of wild boars and bears or something. At any rate, the “Tail End Charlie” photo is a hoot!
I’m pleased you liked it, Doug. Thanks very much
Loved the little pigs. But as for your first comments can you give me the link to ‘apoplexy’? I don’t seem to have it or I’ve lost it.
Here you are, John. Thanks for asking:
Dictionary
Definitions from Oxford Languages · Learn more
apoplexy
/ˈapəplɛksi/
Learn to pronounce
noun
noun: apoplexy; plural noun: apoplexies
1.
DATED
unconsciousness or incapacity resulting from a cerebral haemorrhage or stroke.
“Browne died of apoplexy”
2.
INFORMAL
extreme anger.
“the decision has aroused apoplexy among environmentalists”
Origin
late Middle English: from Old French apoplexie, from late Latin apoplexia, from Greek apoplēxia, from apoplēssein ‘disable by a stroke’.
Translate apoplexy to
Use over time for: apoplexy
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Definitely a very photographic drive to Newbridge Road, Derrick …
Thanks very much, Ivor
A beautiful selection of cattle, ponies and pigs, Derrick and Jackie! I love little Tail End Charlie. 🙂
Thank you so much from us both, Lavinia
I’m happy Jackie got you out for a nice drive. The photos are fantastic! I love how the cattle like to keep an eye on you. 🙂
Thank you so. much, Jill
It’s a good thing you have those forest drives with handsome, shaggy, and cute animals to cure your apoplexy. Nature is always good for technologically induced ailments.
So true, JoAnna. Thank you very much
That top picture made me smile. Definitely a pig of a different color. Go, pig, go.
I’m pleased, Laurie. It wasn’t my best picture but I thought it told the tale. Thanks a lot.
I actually liked it a lot. Your picture conveyed a sense of running and movement. Not an easy thing to do with a photo.
Thanks again
There is not a lot a drive cannot cure.
Indeed, Sylvie. Thank you very much
For some reason I have an affinity for pigs. Perhaps because I was born in the year of the pig? Glad they brightened your day.
Well, a mighty fine choice of wine, Derrick! I’ll have more of the same with my vegetarian curry in a few minutes.
To my surprise my cat loves chickpeas, which are part of the curry. And here I have been fooloishly buying kangaroo mince for her! She would never survive in the wild.
Your Tail End Charlie looks like his dark girdle slipped over his svelt hips!
Something was definitely awry, Yvonne. Thank you very much
Interesting I thought the post was going to be about a cyclone (hurricane) and the after effects as it arrived. We often have the weather people refer to something weather related as Tail End of Cyclone XYZ – recently early January it was Hale.
Fortunately for us we don’t really catch even the end of a cyclone. Thanks very much, Catherine
Being in nature can bring such healing, such peace, such joy. Time to breathe, experience, and just be. Your photos are lovely! What a great photo of Tail End Charlie! 🙂 In every group, for whatever reason, there is always one who brings up the rear. Ofttimes, especially on nature walks or hikes, I’ve been that person…I’m goin’ at a slow pace so I don’t miss anything! 🙂
(((HUGS)))
❤️🐖❤️
I once arrived late for the start of a Marathon race. This meant I had many slower people in front of me that I had to pass. “Late again” was one of the more perceptive comments this gleaned. 🙂 Thanks very much, Carolyn X
I have caught up at last, and what a pleasure it has been.
I’m so pleased, Anne. Well done
These are lovely shots Derrick😉
Thank you very much, Arlene
From finding nothing of interest to finding just about everything. I love the images of the curious cows, such a mixture too.
Thanks very much for appreciating that, Sue. It is interesting how often it happens
Tail end Charlie takes the biscuit … and makes me smile.
I’m pleased, Val. Thank you very much
What wonderful encounters!
Thanks very much, Luisa
You’re highly welcome 💙
Seriously cute cattle and adorable porkers
Thanks very much, Sheree
Your Jackie is very smart. I’ve been trying to do the same – electronic paying of bills – and when my screams get too loud, my guy suggests I go for a LONG walk. I just come across a few leashed dogs, and once two coyotes. Your “get away from the bills” drive is much more interesting.
Thanks very much, Pam. Jackie appreciated your comment 🙂
Why am I suddenly thinking about pork chops for our dinner?
Thanks very much, Elizabeth – it is good to inspire the family caterer 🙂
A well deserved forest drive and delicious meal after paying bills.
Thanks very much, Eugi
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Thank heavens for forest drives. Many of the animals seem to be trying to bite an itch. Always like to see the prettiest porkers around.
Thank you very much, Pat
Lovely photos, Derrick. Glad you enjoyed your drive. Fascinated by the animals that “canoodled !”
Thank you so much, Jan
This little piggie ran away!! Love it. Are the animals on public property or is this a big estate with a road that runs through it.
Public property, Dwight. Animals in the New Forest have right of way on all roads. Thanks for reading and asking
How interesting!
The flying piglet made for a great photo, Derrick.
I’m pleased you think so, Dolly. Thank you very much
You are very welcome, Derrick.