Early this morning I wished our young family well as they set off on their next house-hunting trip to Scotland, then settled down to watch the humdinger of a World Cup rugby match between Ireland and South Africa.
The day here remained overcast until the arrival of sunny spells this
afternoon which enlivened the views, like this one from Abbotswell hill, on our post prandial forest drive.
Still an inviting weekend many pedestrians, such as these
backpacked walkers on Holmsley Passage and descending a hill outside Burley;
or this jogger on Abbotswell Road, were in evidence.
We passed a couple of Tamworth pigs dicing with death on the main road near the entrance to Charles’s Lane where we stopped for me to walk back to them. Suddenly I heard their piercing squawking
approaching as they appeared atop the hilly verge dashing towards me and saving me the effort.
Some way down the lane they ventured into the undergrowth, emerged lower down the main road and demonstrated that they had not learned their lesson. Jackie screamed at the blue car to stop as it sped round the approaching bend.
Pannage has begun. Gloucester Old Spots in particular have taken to the road in search of acorns and other mast, probably unaware that, while feasting themselves with autumn’s treats for themselves, they are saving ponies from poisoning themselves.
This first group were scampering along Newtown Road, Gorley;
and these, along the road through Ibsley,
where cattle stoically ignore flies.
Mossy roots were exposed on the shady Newtown Road verges, sunlight pierced the foliage to dapple those at Frogham,
where donkey foals basked and scratched beside Abbotswell Road..
Later, I watched the rugby World Cup match between Scotland and Tonga; the second half while we both sat on the sofa enjoying left-overs from last night’s Red Chilli takeaway.
I hope your family enjoys Scotland.
They have to get there first, so we will see. Thanks very much, GP
You just made my day with one of my new fall favorites. Pannage piggies. ????????????????. Good luck to the prospective home buyers.
I am pleased, Pat – especially to get a few donkeys, too. Thank you very much.
You guys had a lovely day! There is a lot of bacon and beef walking around your area. Like GP said, I hope your family enjoys life in Scotland. ????
Thanks very much, John
You are welcome. ☺️
It suddenly occurred to me that our restaurant chain, Panera (whose name is identical to the word for “breadbasket” in Spanish and Catalan) suggests your practice of pannage. After all, there can be some piggish behavior at Panera!
Thanks for that info, Linda 🙂
It’s good to see the pigs at work! The brown ones are quite handsome.
Thanks very much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick.
You live in a beautiful place. It’s a treat to have all those animals about.
Good luck to the young family. They’re moving quite a distance away.
Thanks very much, Merril. Budget driven
You’re welcome. Ahh, well, it’s beautiful there, too.
Love the roaming and munching livestock…and the fact they just “,pose” for you…no getting up and rushing away from you or vehicles.
Thank you so much, Catherine
Hi, Derrick – You do live in a very beautiful place. And your local animals are ery brave (and a bit sassy)! 😀
Thank you very much, RR
I hope the driver of the blue car learnt a lesson today.
Lovely photos of the pigs. Oh, how quickly this year has passed, it doesn’t seem two minutes since you and I were exchanging images of last year’s pannage.
So true, Sue. Thank you very much
What with pigs, pedestrians, cattle, and donkeys, you had a very busy afternoon. Well done for not running anything over.
Thanks very much, Tootlepedal
Is there anything cuter than a donkey? Yes, It’s a baby donkey just learning about all of his parts.
This statement about the pigs got my attention: “. . . while feasting themselves with autumn’s treats for themselves, they are saving ponies from poisoning themselves.” So that means the ponies would eat this stuff if the pigs didn’t get to it first? And it would harm them? So fascinating! And so cool of the powers that be to be this in tuned to nature. I wish our powers that be were in tuned to . . . anything.
Wise words, Jodie. Yes – it would harm the ponies who hadn’t got wise to it. Thanks very much
Fascinating
I find the pannage season very interesting Derrick … the benefits seem to be widespread, except for the motorists …whoops .. this is annoying, I have to sign for every comment! …
Thanks very much, Ivor. That is a pain
I knew based on the title there would be Gloucester Old Spots in your post. Thank you for that, Derrick and Jackie! 🙂
Thanks very much from each of us, Lavinia
Yay for pannage! Thanks, Jackie for yelling at that speeding driver!
Thanks very much from us both, JoAnna
“Pannage” was new for me. What fascinating info! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks very much, Julie
Good for Jackie for speaking out! Never a dull moment when you’re out and about with the camera.????
For all I know pigs are tough and they have long perfected the art of dicing with death, which is a sparkling expression, pictorial too if you have witnessed the indomitable scourers dodging the traffic on busy roads. As a matter of fact, they can be quite the nemesis to bikers. The album you have produced today is interesting enough, what with the cattle and donkeys included for variety. I quite enjoyed the bipeds too in the earlier part of the picture.
Thank you so much, Uma
Good luck to the young family house hunting in Scotland. Never knew that acorns weren’t good for horses.
Thanks very much, Laurie
I’m surprised there aren’t more accidents given the mixture of hungry animals and fools in cars!
There are enough – annual animal deaths often up to 3 figures. Thanks very much, John
Pigs and ponies, beautiful country life!
Thanks very much, Arlene
Bestest wishes to Flo, Dillon. and Ellie as they continue to house-hunt. ❤️
Porcine, bovine, and equine…lovely photos! I love seein’ the piggies at work!
And those donkey’s always make me smile! 🙂
A huge THANK YOU to Jackie for being alert and for speaking up!
(((HUGS))) ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thank you so much from us both, Carolyn X
Beautiful photos of the animals, especially the pigs. Good luck to the young family in their quest for a new home.
Thanks very much, Eugi
My pleasure, Derrick.
Looks like a beautiful day. Hope they find the house of their dreams.
Thanks very much, Andy
You’re welcome.
I hope they will find a house that will be perfect for them.
Thank you very much, Bridget
How refreshing to be out in the countryside on a beautiful day!
Thank you very much, Rosaliene
Scotland does sound good, I would move there.
Thanks very much, Gary
I love the idea of pannage.
It is a wonderful country tradition, Sheree. Thanks very much
I did not realize that the acorns made the horses sick. I guess the pigs do them a service after all. Love your photos.
Thank you very much, Dwight
You are welcome!
Those pigs seem really happy 🙂
Thank you very much, Ribana
As usual, I enjoyed your photos and really appreciate being able to enjoy all your scenes and animals vicariously. Thank you for sharing, {{{Derrick}}}. <3
Thanks very much, Jan X
I’m beginning to fell a bit rugbied out. Too many games to watch!
And we haven’t got beyond the pool stage