Today we drove to Hale for a hearty picnic.
Travelling via the lanes of Nomansland we lost our way for a while, although the route was a pretty one.
Sitting on a bench in silence save for the soughing of the chill breeze in the woodland behind us, we hugged our sides in efforts to keep warm until a woman shouted in vain to call her Labrador away from sniffing round our food. We were wondering whether the only signs of
life were to be lost walkers and their animals when the advancing
thudding of a troop of ponies revealed the animals to be on a training run. The last five of the pictures in this gallery are by Jackie, who also
photographed the diminutive creature which had clearly been setting the pace rolling in the grass and nuzzling its larger companion –
a pairing I had also witnessed.
Jackie also photographed the thatched cottages, the millennium memorial sculpture, and the cricket pitch rollers that don’t seem to have been in service yet this season.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s tasty liver and bacon casserole; boiled potatoes; crunchy carrots and firm broccoli with which I drank Chilean Malbec reserva privada 2022.
Those beautiful horses are drawn to you, I think.
It would be good to think so, Rachel. Thank you very much
Sorry the weather was chilly for your picnic. The pony pictures are adorable.
Thank you very much, Pat
The horses are lovely! Your lunch looks delicious, Derrick. Have a great new upcoming week!
Thanks very much, John
What a lovely outing! I think I spotted a large pork pie and a crunchy salad with cheese for lunch.
No sign of summer here on the North Norfolk coast.
Liver and bacon casserole sounds absolutely terrific. Cheers!
Thank you very much, Dina. The sunshine was deceptive – it was rather chilly
The ponies bring such spirit and movement to the post!
They were such a blessing. Thanks very much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Although my eye was initially drawn to the pork pie I couldn’t help noticing that there appears to be a lot of potential to add horse muck to your compost heap. Looks like a lovely day.
Yes, it was – albeit chilly. Thanks very much, Quercus. We have seen people out with collecting buckets
I am just old enough to remember horse drawn rag and bone men in Blackburn, and people nipping out to pick up the leavings “for the rhubarb”. I don’t know why it was always rhubarb, probably because that was all they grew in their back yards.
Mr Figg, a few doors away, always followed our coal mer chant
“Emissions” were something different in those days, and had their uses . . .
The stampede of horses was magnificent. The sight of that dog on a long lead struck fear into the heart of this cyclist. Long leads and cyclists do not get on.
Thanks very much, Tootlepedal. You certainly wouldn’t want to get tangled up in one of those
Wonderful pony captures! A picnic is a bonus ????
Thanks very much, Val
I love picnics especially when there’s views to enjoy. Can a smaller breed of pony breed with a larger breed? We sometimes see old machinery sculptured from recycled material but nit often.
Thank you very much, Chrissy. I imagine different sizes of pony can breed provided they can work out the logistics. The interesting thing about those rollers is that the older one looks to outlast the modern one.
What a wonderful surprise to the pony’s gallop by Derrick
Thanks very much, Ivor
You and Jackie have done a great job portraying the energy of the ponies – both the boisterous excitement and sweet nuzzlings. Nomansland looks lovely. Sometimes it’s fun to get a little lost in the forest.
Thank you so much from each of us JoAnna
It is wonderful seeing those horses in motion – your picnic looks excellent too!
Thank you very much, Anne
Wonderful photos, Jackie and Derrick! And so much action going on! (Lots of -ing words in today posting! 🙂 ) Picnic-ing is always a fun activity! ‘Tis a hearty meal, indeed! And that pairing of the two sweethearts nuzzling is my fave photo today!
(((HUGS))) ❤️❤️
Thank you very much from both of us Carolyn XX
Lovely place to get lost in.
Thanks very much, Sherry
You do know how to set the scene, Derrick.
Thank you so much, GP
I love the photos of the ponies. They seem so lively.
Really unusual. We were lucky. Thanks very much, Eugi
You were lucky getting those fabulous captures. You’re welcome, Derrick.
Love the rusty equipment!
Thank you very much, Sheree
What a lovely series of pony photos from you both! I especially loved that little one and his much larger friend.
Thank you so much from each of us, Lavinia
It looks like a beautiful day, even if chilly. I think you had an onslaught of wonder after the relative silence. I love the action shots of the running ponies, and the nuzzling ones are adorable.
You got lost on such a lovely lane.
Thank you so much, Merril
Love the scenery along the Nomansland lane 🙂
Thank you very much, Rosaliene
I would happily get lost on such a pretty lane on the regular!
Love the horses that roam so freely in your area.
That lunch looked mighty fine, too.
Thank you so much, Dale
Beautiful lanes you travelled along, and so worth getting a little lost.
Thank you so much, Sue
Brava Jackie… your photographs are rivaling Derrick’s these days!!
Thanks very much, Jan. They are
So many interesting sights in one post.
Glad to see you, also.
Thank you very much, Flow