Rusty Water

On another energy-sapping hot and humid day with a threat of thunderstorms that did not arrive it was not until mid-afternoon that, if only to benefit from the Hyundai’s air conditioning, we ventured out on a short forest drive.

Before then I had read more of The Nibelungenlied.

Vita Heathcote, born in Lymington, is a 22 year old athlete representing Great Britain, partnering 39 year old Chris Grube, starting on Saturday 3rd August at the 2024 Paris Olympics in the 470 Mixed Dinghy class.

Our anonymous yarn postbox decorator wishes her well on Pilley Street.

Pilley’s lake has reacted to our recent intense weather by turning such shallow water that currently remains a swirling rusty red.

For the scientifically minded https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/red-alga has a detailed analysis of the red algae that cause this phenomenon.

Almost the only ponies emerging from the shelter of the forest trees we saw today were those

vying for position at the East End crossroads bus shelter. Note the salt stains on the flanks of the solitary animal.

This evening, from tables in front of the TV we dined on breaded chicken, chips, peas, and baked beans while watching the Olympic Women’s all round Gymnastic finals, then Andy Murray and Dan Evans’s quarter final tennis doubles match against Tommy Paul and Taylor Fritz.

56 comments

  1. Sounds miserable. Glad the Hyundai has AC. I almost feel abused if I have to go out in the afternoon because we do have decent AC in the house. I also feel for the poor houses. Hope the flies aren’t too dreadful.

  2. Hot sticky here, too. I can understand why you sought the air-conditioned comfort of your car. Heat just drags a person down. Did heat cause the red algea bloom?

  3. I’m glad you had some time in the a/c in your car. Ours has been on in the house almost constantly this summer.
    I had to look up what the mixed dinghy class was. 🙂 Pilley’s Lake looks unpleasant right now.

    1. Thanks very much, Liz. Possibly, but these wild ponies come in all shapes and sizes

  4. Sweet and wonderful letterbox display!
    The ponies are so beautiful! A joy to see!
    We had a good rain last night, but our heatwave is not going to subside until next Wednesday.
    (((HUGS))) ❤️❤️

  5. It was brave of the ponies to venture out of the shaded woodland into the open.
    Thankfully, we are still below your temperatures, and we had a night of heavy rain (Wed/Thurs) which was probably welcomed by farmers and gardeners.

  6. That is an excellent post box. It was a bit of a shock to see the lake – I have such an idealised picture of the New Forest in my head it is always hard to see real life intervening.

  7. Derrick, this post just arrived in my WP. Glad to see it. We’ve been having a hot & humid summer with temps up to high 80s F for weeks. Paucity of rain isn’t helping our lawn and hydrangeas. Thankful for AC which is pretty common for most places. The ponies are beautiful. I’m still in awe that these animals just roam freely. As for Olympics, the time change has precluded me from watching much. I’ll pick up taped replays during the day. Have a great weekend, Derrick.

  8. Thank goodness for an air-conditioned car. Relentless heat is exhausting. We’ve also enjoyed the women’s gymnastics, along with swimming and diving. I always enjoy the ponies, but I’m sorry they’re struggling to stay cool.

  9. The lake is a worry. The thunderstorms, rains, are all on Google nowadays. Enjoy the weekend! Hope you receive loads of rain and the lake is full of water again.

  10. Wishing you rain and a reprieve from the heat, Derrick and Jackie! The poor ponies and other animals do not seem used to this strange weather either.

  11. Feast or famine with the rain there Derrick. You just finished posting all the large puddles and now they have disappeared to this yucky color. Where do the horses get water and food from?

    1. Thanks very much, Diane. There is plenty of grass and shrubbery for them – they crop many greens and verges 🙂 They still have streams available – when they dry up people do put out bowls for them

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