Encouraged by Klausbernd of Fab Four Blog, I began to read Sigrid Undset’s novel “Kristin Lavransdatter”. I am already grateful to him for his recommendation. Later this morning Jackie and I took a forest drive before lunch.
Butter-golden gorse had benefitted from the recent days of rains and occasional sunshine.
Although today was rain-free strong winds rippled across reflecting pools along the roadsides, the fields, and the moors.
When Jackie pulled to the side of Braggers Lane opposite the third string of pools in the gallery above in order to enable an oncoming vehicle to pass she didn’t notice this pothole, but left her tyre tracks as we bounced out of it.
This grey pony’s legs have taken on the tinge of the wet terrain of Wilverley Road.
When this cyclist had scaled the hill against a strong wind, I gave him a thumbs up and congratulated him.
these two held up the car in front of us until the road leaving Burley was clear enough for him to pass and we were able to follow.
Others enjoyed foraging in the woodland alongside Charles’s Lane,
where I enjoyed pleasant conversations with equestriennes I had heard clopping along to the tune of bright birdsong.
The reason Jackie had parked beside this lane was to send me back along the road to photograph Fungus she had spotted in passing. I had misunderstood, thinking it was on the verge rather than on the tree. While I was searching she came along and pointed it out to me. Concentrating on the longer shots of the broken tree I had not realised that I had unwittingly already photographed my target.
This evening we all dined on pork spare ribs marinaded in hoisin sauce on a bed of Jackie’s colourful vegetable rice with which she drank Hoegaarden and I drank more of the Malbec.
Nice Post
Thank you very much, Verma
For a couple out for a forest drive, you certainly had your adventures.
Thank you very much, Pat
There was so much to see today. You and Jackie are perfect together! 🙂
I can’t pick a favorite photo today.
Thank you so much, Merril
Your post shows opening our eyes is enough to see things (lots).
Thank you so much, Sylvie
Looks like another nice excursion. Those pot holes jump out of nowhere – glad you didn’t get a flat tire!
Thanks very much, Barbara
I enjoy how your photos make seemingly ordinary things so interesting and beautiful. That must have been quite a bump over the pothole!
Thanks very much, JoAnna. And on my side of the car, too
Glad you survived! 🙂
Wonderfully artistic photos and poetic prose! I always enjoy your reflection photos! The smiling equestriennes are lovely! And, oh, I really like the long-but-not-so winding-road (Cyclist on Wilverley Road 1) photo! 🙂 I wonder if that fungi was ready to party?! Ha! (((HUGS))) ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thanks very much, Carolyn XX
Mrs T told me to tell you that she enjoyed your tour today.
Thank you both very much, Tootlepedal and Mrs
Tell Jackie I love her cameo appearances.
Will do, Flow. Thanks very much
A great post today, Derrick, I love the many photos. ❤️ What does Traffic Calmed Area mean? It’s on a sign post. Dinner sounds so delicious!
Thanks very much, John. Traffic Calming is putting in arrangements to slow down the traffic. In this case it was narrowing the road at certain points and giving priority to cars travelling in one direction, so the others have to wait.
Oh, thanks for this, Derrick. There is nothing like that here but it makes sense.
Fascinating fungi Derrick …
Thanks very much, Ivor
A wide variety of pictures from your day.
Thank you very much, Andy
You’re welcome.
Lovely pics as always
Thanks very much, Geeta
I like the name Braggers Lane and Smugglers Street. Interesting! ????????
Yes. We haven’t discovered the origins. Thanks very much, Geeta
I hope the tyre survived the pothole encounter.
It seems so, Andrew. Thanks very much
What a relief to have a dry day. I do like your pony photos.
Thank you very much, Sue
I always enjoy the ponies! They must be pleased it finally isn’t raining!
They were – but they sensibly don’t count chickens
I loved seeing the gorse again! My favorite photo is the one that looks as though Jackie photo bombed the tree fungus.
Thanks very much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Beautiful photos! That pothole is huge!
Thanks very much, Riba
What a glorious assortment of photos, Derrick. I love the photos of the ponies.
Thank you very much, Eugi
You’re welcome, Derrick.
That’s a lot of water. I always assumed it just drained off the edge of the country and went into the sea. Glad the pothole caused no problems – that’s how we had a flat tyre a few years ago. They are a nuisance.
Thanks very much, Quercus
It looks like it is still on the cool side there. I love the golden expanses of gorse, and those winter shaggy ponies. It won’t be long before they start shedding.
That is some fine fungus you and Jackie found.
Thank you so much, Lavinia
A lovely, if wet, drive, Derrick. I absolutely love it that you have to stop for wandering horses. I suppose it’s not that much fun if you’re in a hurry, but how wonderful to have nature all around you. Great photos.
Thank you very much, Diana
I will echo Lavinia. That is some fungus. Nice to have Jackie in the picture.
Thanks very much, Laurie
So sweet of you to give that cyclist a thumbs up. That’s such a boost when you are out there working hard.
Good to see Jackie’s smile. and that fungus looks huge against her delicate hand.
Thank you. very much, Jodie
An interesting drive, Derrick. Those fungus look like giant pastries from the bakery!
Thanks very much, Dwight
I love the gorse, Derrick. I was taught to push my heels down in studios when I rode horses.
Thanks very much, Robbie. WP has had a go at stirrups
I think with the worsening road conditions, we need a deeper term than pothole now.
Thanks very much, Gary
Jackie’s pork spare ribs marinaded in hoisin sauce on a bed of Jackie’s colourful vegetable rice sounded (and looked) like a perfect end to a colorful day. The reflecting pools along the roadsides, the fields, and the moors were lovely! Do send some of that rain this way!
Thanks very much, Jan. I hope you get your share of rain
Quite a ‘busy’ ride, Derrick. (There’s a Fungus ‘amung’ us!)
Thank you very much, Steve
So much standing water to evidence the recent storms
Thanks very much, Sheree