For brunch, Jackie drove me to Hockey’s Farm Shop café, where we enjoyed our usual favourites, well cooked as always, and efficiently served in friendly manner.
As we left Burley ponies caused a traffic tailback as, oblivious of the vehicles, they settled in for a day of seeking what shade they could beneath trees, and such protection from flies as could be afforded by their nose to tail technique.
A couple of walkers found the prospect of stepping over droppings somewhat unpleasant.
When we returned this afternoon the animals had not moved much.
Others, already beset by flies, hugged a fence that seemed to have been reserved for them.
We needed to make way for an oncoming tractor on a narrow, dappled, section of Gorley Road.
Two ponies sought shade beneath tree alongside the Ibsley ford, from the stream under which another slaked its thirst.
Calves competed for space on a drinking trough beside Hyde Lane.
Jackie parked the Modus at Gorley Lynch while I disembarked to
photograph a distant stag with his roe deer harem.
At Poulner we encountered a steam traction engine.
Heather coloured the moorland either side of Holmsley Passage,
where I commended a pair of cyclists who had made it all the way up.
An apple tree grew on the moor beside Holmsley Road.
Along Tiptoe Road a pair of ponies drooped on the tarmac, opposite
a foal learning the reality of life with flies.
This evening we all dined on meaty pork bangers and fried onions; creamy mashed potato; crunchy carrots; firm broccoli stems; and piquant cauliflower cheese, with which Jackie drank Hoegaarden and I drank Côtes du Rhône Villages Plan de Dieu 2021.
Sultry is an excellent title, well illustrated by your variety of photographs. An interesting day indeed.
Thank you very much, Anne
I’m guessing that the weather is very warm and humid there now. The deer are beautiful, and I feel sorry for the horses dealing with the flies. ☹️ The roads seem very narrow, maybe that’s because you don’t drive huge cars like Americans do, or used to. Not sure what brand of car you have, Derrick. Bangers, fried onions and taters sounds so delicious!
Thanks very much, John. The Modus in the photograph is our Renault. The lanes are so old they were built for horses and carts.
Thanks for telling me, Derrick, I don’t see cars like that here. I am guessing that your local council is responsible for the roads. They cone widened.
The road past our house was widened years ago – which is a pain for us.
Such a variety of wonderful photos. I wonder what it’s like to live on Tiptoe Road, and if one feels forced to. 😉
I love your header shot of the ponies. The white/grey pony seems out of it.
I only see does here, though there must be stags somewhere!
I see only does in my area, too, Merril.
We rarely see stags either, Merril. Thank ou very much
You’re welcome, Derrick.
The heather is beautiful! We don’t see that in Australia. Sometimes we see wild lavender.
Thanks very much, Chrissy
I know sultry, and I’m not fond of it. What’s curious to me is that the word was commonly used in the midwest when I was growing up, but I can’t remember ever hearing it here in Texas. Like plants, words apparently grow best in different environments.
I guess so, Linda. It is not really a word I can ever remember hearing said. Thanks very much
That heathered landscape is so beautiful!
Thank you very much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Lovely except for the sultry. Poor ponies.
Thanks very much, Pat
A very good selection of photographs today. I like the horses parked outside the alehouse in particular.
Thanks very much, Tootlepedal
The poor ponies. It won’t be long before the animals get relief from the flies. A good frost or two will take care of a lot. When do you normally get the first frost in your area, Derrick?
Not really until January, I’d say, Lavinia. Thank you very much
I adore your photo of the ‘steam traction engine’ … very impressive, and I’ve stored it in my “Derrick File”
Thank you very much, Ivor
Brilliant photos, Derek. You always make me feel like I am right there!
I’m pleased, RR. Thanks very much.
I enjoyed the ride, Derrick. Love seeing the ponies. Wouldn’t those fly nets to cover their heads be helpful?
Thank you very much, Steve. Although owned by commoners these ponies are wild and tough. They don’t receive the protections that field horses do.
There’s nothing like that here, loose ponies, as far as I know. It looks very peaceful where you reside. The ponies are beautiful. Although, it must be frustrating at times when they block traffic.
Not for us. We just enjoy it as we are seldom in a hurry.
Beautiful photos today, Derrick. I love the header shot. Thanks for sharing!
Much appreciated, Jill
A colorful outing in more ways than one. I can’t imagine seeing a steam engine in my urban environment…loved the angle parking horses.
Thank you very much, Catherine
Thank you for taking me along.
Much appreciated, Lakshmi
I always wonder why Horse-Evolution hasn’t come up with anything for protecting their eyes.
Thanks very much, John
Glad that even on the sultry days…life keeps happening. Wonderful photos, Derrick!
The sultry days help us appreciate the cool refreshing days even more.
(((HUGS))) ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thank you so much, Carolyn X
The ponies looked thirsty. It humid out here too.
Thanks very much, Geeta
What a lovely day you had. Such a fabulous selection of images you’ve shared with us.
I sometimes breathe a sigh of relief when the animals move away from the house into another field in the hope that the flies will leave us alone. I’m sure there are more flies around this year; we become inundated when I open the French doors. Victoria bought a free standing electric zapper; perhaps I should do the same.
Thank you very much, Sue
Your pics are amazing, dear Derrick!
Thank you so much, Luisa
You’re so welcome (●’◡’●)
It seems the weather is so hot for them.
Indeed. And it due to be hotter. Thanks very much, Arlene
The ponies look like they were parked for the ale house, while the cows got their beverages at the trough!
Thanks very much, GP
Beautiful photos, Derrick. They always take me to another world – peaceful and serene.
Thank you very much, Eugi
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Quite an adventurous day. have you ever thought of sticking a bucket and a shovel in the boot – all that free manure!
Thanks a lot, Quercus. There is a source of free bags of manure locally. All we need to do is leave replacement bags.
That sounds like a good scheme. Round here we have to leave cash in a jar. 🙁
Fabulous photos all, especially the black and white one of cyclists on a winding lane.
Thank you very much, Dolly
My pleasure, Derrick.
Don’t blame the lady. I also wouldn’t like to step over horse droppings 🙁
Certainly not. Actually it was the man who struck me most. Thanks very much, Rosaliene
More glorious moorland!
Thank you very much, Sheree
Love the tractor. Those horses must not be able to read! :>) Maybe they are waiting for some Ale! Love the photos!
Thanks very much, Dwight
Parking space reserved for horses! 🙂 All lovely images, I particularly love the one with the cyclists – it is beautifully framed.
Sounds like the heat is uncomfortable over there, especially for the animals. Lovely set of photos Derrick.
Thanks very much, Miriam
A beautiful day with gorgeous photos!
Many thanks, Ribana
Flies are the nemesis of the equine dwellers of the earth. The steam traction engine seems to be a vintage marvel. The photos have held on to their stories capably.
Thank you so much, Uma