This rather warmer day remained overcast for the morning when Jackie drove us to Hockey’s Farm Shop for lunch, while the sun laid claim to the skies for our return.
A group of ponies and their growing foals occupied Wootton Common and both sides of Tiptoe Road near to The Rising Sun.
The warmer weather has brought out the flies, seen on the last pony in this first gallery, with more irritating the foal and its mother on the verge of the road through Ibsley. The dam has developed the tolerance to ignore them whilst the little bay still hoped to shift them with constant shakes of its head.
Maybe the cattle huddled together for protection.
Further along the road this Toyota driver struggled to pass a pony blocking the way.
In the Farm Shop cafĆ© we each brunched on our usual choices – mine the Hungry One, and Jackie’s, Laura’s Favourite. Jackie photographed one of the crisp yellow roses in a bottle arrangements that decorated each table.
Abbotswell Road, down which we ambled behind a young rider in training until she was led off the trail, was now as dappled as all the other roads.
Many streams were already drying up, but the one crossing the ford at the bottom of the hill continued rippling under the bridge.
The tour bus we followed along Roger Penny Way kept to a steady 30 mph, until delayed by cyclists, ponies, pigs, and one very successful donkey; when freed the bus picked up a little speed, which had us speculating that there was a schedule to be kept. Indeed there was – more passengers waited at the next pick up point.
Ponies on the verge at Cadnam were already adopting the nose to tail technique for keeping flies at bay,
while heavily panting sheep streamed down the hill seeking shade from the trees beside the shallowing ford. These are the Torddu or black bellied variety of Badger Faced Welsh Mountain sheep.
For this evening’s dinner, Jackie added hot and spicy, and tempura prawn preparations to last night’s Chinese Take Away leftovers, which we all enjoyed and with which Jackie and I both drank La Vieille Ferme rosĆ© 2022.
Will those sheep be sheared? It’s surprising to see them unsheared in summer, but to be honest, I don’t know a thing about sheep.They just look hot toting all that wool around.
I’ve never seen them sheered, Linda. Maybe they are kept in when they are. Thanks very much
I have enjoyed seeing the animals as well as reading your commentary, Derrick.
Thank you very much, Anne
Wow, you found so many wonderful animals today, Derrick! They are cute and pretty too. Your food looks so delicious, I love sausage (bangers?), beans and eggs! I must be British at heart, guys. ????????ā¤ļø
You certainly seem to be, John. Thank you very much
Your ponies and other grazing animals sound as heedless as many of our self absorbed pedestrians, but a lot more charming. Plus they aren’t preoccupied with cellphones.
Too true. Thank you very much, Pat
The first rippling stream photo immediately put me in mind of a Monet painting.
Yes, it does. Thanks very much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Cows may be the same as meerkats, dolphins, koalas and primates who huddle together for self preservation. flys? rain? I read a post on FB yesterday that car drivers in Amish areas where they us a lot of horse and buggy are getting way to impatient. Recent serious injuries and deaths because of impatience. We could learn a lot from beast and man…who want the slower life style.
Quite so, Chrissy. Thank you very much
Those breakfasts look fabulous! Lovely images š
Thank you very much, Dale
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“Glory be to God for dappled things”
What is that yellow thing on one of the cattle?
Lovely pics a peek into your serene life away from the madding crowd.
Thank you very much, Geeta. It is an identity tag
Ok. Thanks. It’s good.
Interesting looking sheep, the Torddu. I hope the foals learn the nose to tail technique soon.
Thanks very much, JoAnna
I love how those animals rule! Hurrah! Just wondering–if you tried to get up close to the horses, would they let you?
I wander among them freely, but I don’t touch them. Thanks very much, Julie
The Torddu or black bellied variety sheep have interesting markings and are very different from our plain Merino sheep that populate Australia
glad to see sunshine in your part of the world, Derrick! may it long stay! now, those flies… poor animals.
Thank you very much, Wilma
That looks like it was a beauftiful day!
The best for a while, John. Thanks very much
What lovely table roses! My fave colour of roses!
All of the animals look healthy and enjoying the dappled shady spots. I just wish those darn flies wouldn’t be such darn pests to the animals.
Your rippling streams photos do remind me of the Monet paintings…Forest with a Stream and Bridge over a Pond. š
(((HUGS))) ā¤ļøā¤ļøā¤ļøā¤ļøā¤ļø
PS…”To sit in the shade on a fine day and look upon verdure is the most perfect refreshment.” – Jane Austen
Thank you very much, Carolyn. I’m pleased you saw Monet in the stream and bridge X
Lovely to see the sheep out and about. In answer to someoneās question about why theyāre not shearedā¦ these look like this yearās female lambs as opposed to adult ewes and lambs are not sheared during their first year.
That must be the answer, Sue. Thanks very much
Great captures Derrick!
Thank you very much, Val
The summer of 2023 continues to confuse us.
Thanks a lot, Andrew
I love these animal portraits. Natural and yet unique.
Thank you so much, Rupali
As always, your photos are fascinating!
Thank you very much, Luisa
You’re so welcome!
I love seeing the animals and all the sheep huddled together. Beautiful photos and eloquent commentary.
Thank you very much, Eugi
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Beautiful photos. Summer flies can be a real nuisance. Looks like the animals “rule the roost” in your area. Your brunch looks delicious.
They do. They have priority on the roads. Thanks very much, Dwight
Very interesting!
Beautiful photos. The food looks delicious.
Thank you very much, Andy
You’re welcome.
I like the rippling stream, with its play of shadows.
In Russian tradition, yellow roses symbolize sadness, specifically parting forever or death. I wonder if the Chinese have a different meaning to them, since I have seen yellow roses in Chinese decorative art.
Wealth and fortune to Chinese, Dolly. Thanks very much
Thank you for educating me, Derrick.
I Googled it š
LOL ???? You could’ve pretended to be the inexhaustible source of information.
š
How do you pass a menagerie? I am an American, and I would just sit in my car and take in the beautiful creatures. Life is too short and should be enjoyed. I am sure those on the tourist bus had wonderful stories for those at the next stop why they were delayed.
We do the same as you, msw. But then we are not often in a hurry. Thanks very much
I live in a rural place where the possibility of having a long wait while a rancher herds his cattle to a new pasture, or the occasional animal escapes a pasture and makes a slow escape are routine. I would be very content to drive through your New Forest! Out of curiosity, I looked “New Forest” up and here’s an interesting article about it: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Forest#History
Thank you very much, Doug. That was a good article
Everyone looking for respite from flies and heat. I enjoy seeing the animals, and especially watching the foals grow into those long, gangly legs. I did note the pigs, too. Good to see them again.
The temperatures go up here again staring tomorrow. Monday is forecast to be 106, and we will see 100+ through Thursday. A fire has now also started 10 miles east of town. It is smoky outside today.
I hope you will be OK, Lavinia. Thank you very much
So far, so good. 102 degrees Fahrenheit in the shade on the porch today. Tomorrow’s forecast is for 107.
The dappled water shots are positively Monetesque
I’m pleased you see that, Sheree. Thank you very much
My pleasure Derrick
Your breakfast reminds me of Grandma’s reply at Thansgiving when asked which type of pie she would like, “Oh, I’ll have a little of each!”
Good for her
Especially love those two-toned sheep. How interesting! And the pigs along the verges… ah, I remember them well! Thanks for the trip down memory lane!
My pleasure, Jan X
Those nasty flies!
Thanks very much, Ribana