With a weak sun periodically lifting the grey of the day, after a shop at Tesco Jackie and I drove into the forest, where we found reflecting pools continuing along the lanes and verges,
such as those of Bisterne Close;
Forest Road, where one rather bewildered gull looked bemused as a flock of others took off when we arrived;
and Beckley Common Road, along which the worst potholes have actually recently been filled.
This latter road also harbours discarded wheelbarrows beside mossy roots like those on the bank at the other end of
Bennets Lane from
The White Buck pub.
Another wrecked van has been dumped on the path to a house off Molsley Passage. I hope the residents take comfort from the
golden gorse landscape they can look out on.
Currently the ubiquitous blackthorn rivals the splendour of the gorse.
Although we are certainly seeing harbingers of spring, ponies like this one on Bisterne Close are retaining their shaggy winter coats.
This evening we all dined on Jackie’s tasty penne Bolognese with Parmesan cheese. I added Scotch Bonnet sauce to mine. The Culinary Queen and Ian both drank Blue Moon and I drank more of the Cabernet Sauvignon.
Like our groundhog ”predicting” winter. Does a pony retaining its Winter coat mean anything about the coming weather?
I imagine it does – maybe prompted by mistrust of unseasonable warmth. Thanks very much, GP
I suspect that when you have to do an annual shed, ‘trust’ in the weather is a little, shall we say, lacking? 😀
I wonder what happened to that van that it ended up in a driveway burnt to a crisp. Bad luck!
Thanks very much, John
You’re welcome. 😊
Maybe the van is part of a security warning for those who dare enter private property. 😉 I love the smells, puddles and dripping tree after the rain.
Thank you so much, Chrissy
Fabulous reflection photos, especially the one of a bewildered gull who does not know whether it is coming, going, or flying. The lacy blackthorn is enchanting.
Thank you so much, Dolly
Season in transition. It is saddening to see dumped vehicle (push and powered) littering that gorgeous countryside. We have the same dichotomy here too.
Thank you very much, Pat
I laughed at your juxtaposition of the comment about potholes being filled and the photo of the wheelbarrows. I thought, “Well, that’s one way to do it!” Then I figured it out.
Many thanks, Linda
You’ve captured the beauty all around you, Derrick. I’ve always enjoyed the beauty of moss, and it’s especially pretty on the roots of the tree. I’m glad you’re seeing filled potholes, but it must be disappointing to see man-made discards cluttering the otherwise lovely forests and vistas. Dinner sounds yummy.
Thank you so much, Alys
Love that shaggy pony, Derrick. Our signs of spring are currently hiding under snow, but today it felt very springy!
Thank you very much, Barbara
I’m glad to see that the pony hasn’t cast it’s clout yet – very sensible! Our blackthorn isn’t out yet but we do have the cherry-plum in bloom. I am sorry the forest is spoilt by dumped rubbish – we have a similar problem here.
Thanks very much, Clare.
I always love the shaggy ponies and the mossy roots.
I had you in mind for the bank of roots, JoAnna. Thanks very much
<3 Those roots on the bank were especially lovely.
The flowering Blackthorns are quite spectacular Derrick …
Thank you very much, Ivor
Forest drives are always lovely. You’ll find things that you never thought of.
Thank you very much, Arlene
What a shame that people discard their trash when there is so much beauty all around them. Do you get this much water every spring?
Thanks very much, Diane. This year’s water is exceptional
Your prose is a delight – as are your photographs. Abandoned wheelbarrows? They look in far better condition than my rusty one 🙂 As for the burnt out vehicle – presumably that will be removed before long.
Thank you very much, Anne. The last abandoned van took a while.
So beautiful!
Thank you very much, Luisa
The pleasure is all mine
Those are some potholes! Maine has the reputation of having some doozies, but I think you have us beat.
Those that you see in the picturea are not as deep as many, which are lethal when filled with water
Holy cats!
Love your post. Sad to see the garbage.
Thanks very much, Sherry
There are indications popping out the show that Spring is just around the corner. Love your photos… especially the huge tree roots along the road. I guess we will always have potholes!
Thanks very much, Dwight
You are welcome.
The blackthorn and gorse are beautiful signs of spring, and I love massive mossy tree roots!. It is sad to see the abandoned wheelbarrows and van. Is there no county-wide service that removes such abandoned things?
Afraid not, Lavinia Thank you very much
I hope that abandoned van gets removed soon. Beautiful signs of spring. I especially like the flowering blackthorne and the mossy roots.
Thank you very much, Merril
The dumping is very depressing, particularly as there seems to be no way of stopping it happening. The blackthorn was a welcome antidote to gloom.
Thanks very much, Tootlepedal
I love the blackthorn! You’re very brave with the Scotch Bonnet sauce.
Thanks very much, Liz. It is only 5% Scotch Bonnet,
You’re welcome, Derrick. 5% would still be too much for me.
Blackthorn already? The differences in temperature between the south and north is very apparent lately.
I don’t blame the ponies for hanging on to their winter coats a little longer. My mum used to say ‘Never cast a clout until May is out!’ Maybe they know the saying too.
Their tuning in is certainly being tested this year. Thank you very much, Sue
Sweet shaggy pony! (I don’t put my winter coats away too soon! 🙂 )Beautiful blackthorn! Magnificent moss! Remarkable reflections!
(((HUGS))) ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Nice alliteration, Carolyn. Thank you very much
More lovely reflections in the pools
Thanks very much, Sheree
That mossy roots looks magical!
Thank you very much, Riba
I love your pictures of gorse. They take me straight back to reading Famous Five in my childhood. I had always thought the flowers were white.
Thanks very much, Robbie
The green of the moss is beautiful and the pony is wisely hanging on to its winter coat – I see frost is forecast for Saturday. As for the pot-hole, seems you have the same useless repairers as we have round our way. The poor cars suffer! Lovely to see your part of the world, Derrick.