Overnight rain had desisted by this morning, leaving the roads once more waterlogged, yet there was no frost and we were treated to cotton clouds scudding speedily across cerulean skies while splashing our way to Ferndene Farm Shop to buy provisions and a Christmas tree for which Jackie had to return later because there was not room for both me and a seven foot tree in the car.
From Ferndene we continued into the forest via Beckley Common Road.
A trio of ponies dozed unblinking on the verge of Forest Road, further along which the winterbourne stream has filled up again, bearing grasses and reflections on it surface. The low sun lit hummocks and cast shadows across the opposite verges.
Off the Thorney Hill bend of the road,
a few fine fungi had pierced a layer of fallen autumn leaves at the wooded corner of Valley Lane.
The sun penetrated the cover of leafless branches occasionally lighting the foliage yet to fall among the browned bracken, and printed reflections on muddy pools.
During the afternoon the rain beat down once more and the winds shook the garden foliage.
The day was warmer than of late. Could autumn have returned?
This afternoon we dined on pork/apple and pork/chives sausages; creamy mashed potatoes of the the white and the sweet varieties, fried onions, crunchy carrots, tender runner beans and meaty gravy with which Jackie drank more of the Pinot Grigio and I drank Le P’tite Pierre red wine 2022.
What say you? Did your part of the world leave autumn before its time? I tease, of course. Your photos are just lovely. I especially love the last one in the “ponies” group. It has a misty, dreamy quality to it.
Glad you were able to enjoy more balmy weather. I shall be dining on tomato/basil and bacon/cheddar sausages myself with mashed potatoes and veg still to be determined 🙂
A culinary coincidence, Dale. Thanks very much
So, I ended up lying as my sausages were still frozen last night. It will be tonight’s supper, instead!!
Still acceptable 🙂
Indeed 😉
Beautiful light and an interestingly shaped fungus.
Thank you very much, Anne
I’m impressed you won the spot in the car in lieu of the Christmas tree, but then she would have had to return for you. Lovely pictures and meal.
Thanks very much, Pat
You have many more beautiful photos today, Derrick! Well done. ????????????❤️
Thanks very much, John
You’re welcome, Derrick. ☺️
It seems like you’ve had your winter, one day’s worth. The ponies lined up as if they were posing for you. I like the reflection photos and the sun peeking through the naked branches.
Thanks very much, Dolly
You are very welcome, Derrick.
Gorgeous photos! I enjoyed them AND your poetic words!
Love the dozing ponies. Aw!
Ha! Glad you and the tree did not have to share space in the car! 🙂
Winter has arrived here and it seems to be here to stay. So I say “See you next year, autumn!”
(((HUGS))) ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thanks very much, Carolyn XX
Two more days and summer begins down here Derrick …
Thanks very much, Ivor
I enjoyed the pony gallery, particularly ‘pony 2’.
Thanks very much, Tootlepedal
Another pretty drive through your countryside. I like the photo of the curvy road. Tell me, is it paved or a dirt road? Hard to tell in the photo. As usual, the ponies are beautiful. Thanks, Derrick.
The road is tarmac but there are no paved footpaths. Much appreciated Steve
So, tarmac is a paved road but there are no ‘sidewalks’, which I wouldn’t expect along a country road.
Yep
We’re getting colder and I’m already ready for summer. ???? Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos, Derrick.
Much appreciated, Jill
Can ‘t wait to see your decorated Christmas tree. I am not puttinb one up, still tired from the renovation.
Thanks very much, Arlene
Thank you for these lovely photos. I especially liked the sunlit leaves, the soft white mushroom, the winding road, and the sleepy ponies whose manes are mimicked by the grass on the water.
Thank you so much, Joanna
That’s a beautiful chestnut horse.
Thanks very much, John
As always your photos are really amazing!
Thank you very much, Luisa
My pleasure, dear Derrick!
Lovin’ the horses. The forest is back to that mysterious look….
Thank you very much, GP
I love the photos of the sun peeking through the trees and wonderful captures of the ponies.
Thank you very much, Eugi
Most welcome, Derrick.
I got a big kick out of the pony trio lined up in a neat row.
Thank you very much, Liz 🙂
You’re welcome, Derrick. 🙂
It’s been a stormy autumn, such a quick shift into a winter feel
Thanks very much, Gary
I love the sun through the tree photos. It is an unique photos.
Thank you very much, Andy
You’re welcome.
You had some beautiful sun there in the forest. The ponies look like they are soaking up the warmth. That is some fine fungus, too.
Thank you very much, Lavinia
Seems suitably sodden
Thank you very much for this nice alliterative comment, Sheree
Pleasure Derrick
I’m pleased you took priority over the Christmas tree!
I read this yesterday but lost my Internet before having a chance to comment.
I still have no connection so have logged onto Victoria’s. Their one was also off yesterday but so far I’ve stayed connected.
How frustrating, Sue. Thank you very much for your perseverance
Still waiting for BT to deliver the mini hub. The phoneline/broadband can’t be fixed until next week. Apparently, it’s a problem in a box down the lane. I’ve connected to Victoria’s Sky broadband, but we lose the connection when we leave our kitchen.
Grrrr
Beautiful post. I love your thought of Thorny Hill Bend.
Thanks very much, Dwight
Should have been your shot of Throny Hill Bend…. :>)
Understood
I always love the ponies
Thank you very much, Mimi
Always welcome ????????????
What a beautiful day! It’s good to have some warmer days in between 🙂