Given that we understood that this morning’s chill wind and cold bright sunshine was likely to cede to strong showers for the rest of the day, we set off for a forest drive just after 8 a.m. and turned on the windscreen wipers in a darkened air two hours later as we were driving home.
Groups of ponies gathered around Smuggler’s Road Car Park basking and reflecting in the sunlight,
which brightened the sand pit in the Rockford Common landscape. The stream at Ibsley ford rippled past a recently broken tree on its banks, where blossom bejewelled a shadow-striated wall.
Further along the road donkeys wandered freely along the tarmac.
The sharp wind swivelled a weather vane seen between two houses.
At the bottom of Frogham Hill we encountered our first donkey mother and foal,
somewhat older than its cousins seen at the top, which according to a resident I engaged in conversation, were just a week old..
Someone had categorised potholes at a road junction in Crow,
This afternoon I watched the Women’s Six Nations rugby matches between France and Ireland and between Scotland and Wales.
This evening we all dined on Jackie’s flavoursome savoury rice and spare ribs in hoisin sauce, with which I drank more of the Shiraz.
Spring baby! Thanks for sharing, hey I clicked like before I read it, so I could be first 🙂 haha
Thank you so much, Rose 🙂
That donkey foal is adorable. Lovely pictures and dinner.
Thank you very much, Pat
Those donkey babies are so sweet! I’m glad you got your drive in before the freezing showers began – what a chill day it’s been!
Thank you very much, Clare.
There’s something about babies of any species that warms my heart. But the donkey babies are especially delightful. I like the sloping landscape of Rockford Common, too. Getting out early sure paid off for you, two.
Thank you so much, JoAnna
So many beautiful photos today, Derrick! The donkeys are so cute. ???? Good old potholes, every country with busy roads will have them. Happy weekend. ????
Thank you so much, John
You’re welcome, Derrick. Have a great new week, you two. ????
So darling! Thanks for showing us. And somehow, it never occurred to me that women played rugby–I’ll check it out.
Thanks very much, Donnalee. It has become ever more popular
The donkey foals are adorable. I want to pat their furry little heads.
Thank you very much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Utterly adorable!!!
Thank you very much, Laurie
The early morning ride out in the sunshine was a wise choice. Thank you both for taking the drive and presenting all these adorable photos of ponies and donkeys. Spring has truly arrived in your area!
Potholes – even gravel tossed in by the county would be better than nothing. Drive carefully and stay safe!
Thanks very much, Lavinia
All lovely photos of nature and equine and weather-vanes! Ha and Yikes on the labels of hole and crater! Glad there are no potholes that could be named after The Heavenly Pit!
You know my fave photos in this group today! Welcome to the world Little Week-Old Donkey! 🙂 So sweet!
(((HUGS))) ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thank you so much, Carolyn XX
Awesome photos.
Thanks very much, Chrissy
Smugglers Road is an interesting name which often shows up in your posts. Any trivia behind the name? The kid foals are so cute. Are they domesticable? Your forest drives are very interesting. Does the regularity behind these drives means something to you? Too many questions. Need not answer. It’s one of my bad habits.
I have been unable to find the history of the name, but I guess it must be a smugglers route from a few centuries ago. The donkeys are all owned by someone, but wander freely in the forest. They are very gentle creatures. The drives become regular as we seek photo opportunities. Thanks very much, Geeta
Aah! You have answered all my probing questions. When in job my then boss used to restraint me from asking too many. He was a balancing factor at that point of time as I used to get carried away quite often ????????????????
Oh I missed the crater. Good sense of humour. Whoever has written it.
Thanks very much, Geeta
I enjoy the spunk of people who make road potholes their mission!
Thank you very much, Doug
The early morning ride gave you the chance to take some great pictures. The one-week old donkeys are adorable.
Thank you so much, Bridget
Your donkeys look different from ours. I love the potholes at the end – we have so many of them in our town.
Thank you so much. Anne. Yours seem longer and leaner
Wonderful forest scenery. Love those donkey photos.
Thank you very much, Arlene
You were out and about very early and I don’t blame you. Oh, those donkeys are adorable.
Thank you very much, Sue
Those little donkeys are so adorable. Good thinking to get outside early before the rain. We had heavy rain here, too.
Thanks very much, Merril
The ponies look like they are enjoying Spring. That new donkey, just a week old, looks like a stuffed toy. So cute!
Thank you so much, GP
That baby donkey is gorgeous!!!
Thank you very much, Luisa
My pleasure, dear Derrick (^_^)
Totally adorable donkeys!
Thank you very much, Sheree
Awesome photos, Derrick, and the donkey foals are just precious.
Thank you so much, Eugi
I really love donkeys and the little one is just too cute!
Thank you very much, Rabirius
Adorable foal!
Thanks very much, Rosaline
I doubt that categorizing the potholes makes it easier for drivers to navigate among them.
It’s more of a protest comment, Dolly. That waa a particularly awkward spot. Thanks very much
I gathered that, Derrick. You are most welcome.
Oh so cute.
Thanks very much, Lindsey
I could look at your nature & animal pictures everyday Derrick! The newborns are adorable!!!!
Thank you very much, Diane
Oh that baby is so adorable!
And I thought we had a problem with potholes!
Thank you very much, Dale
You’re quite welcome, Derrick.