Knowing that we were in for a cool day of continuing rain we took an early forest trip before the showers had begun, therefore before a planned visit to the new Antiques Emporium behind Redcliffe Garden Centre.
Outside Brockenhurst we stopped to watch ponies and foals.
We are accustomed to seeing crows pecking about among the pony droppings, but magpies foraging there is unusual;
one foal, young enough to bear the vestiges of the umbilical cord wondered what the black and white bird was doing perched upon it. Accompanying adults ignored it. It has been an exceptional year for these birds – we even have one nesting in or near to our garden which could be one reason why we have fewer small birds this year. In our Newark Lindum House magpies would come one year and there would be no small birds. The next year the predators would be gone and eggs had a chance to hatch.
Our timing was good. Drizzle began as we turned towards Redcliffe Garden Centre and had begun beating a tattoo on the roof.
It is a fairly long trek through the Garden Centre,
beyond Warman’s Architectural Antiques Area,
to the Emporium, which looks like a resurgence of
(Dammit, I published too early so I am continuing with this addition)
the now defunct Molly’s Den, featured in https://derrickjknight.com/2014/08/22/her-very-own-seaside/
Jackie can be seen studying the contents of some of these antiques cubicles.
On my way round I met a man walking with a stick. Having by now found the unaided walk a real struggle I mentioned that I was regretting having left mine in the car. He said he had done the same thing and bought one here. I decided that it was better to put up with the pain of perambulation than paying for a prop I wouldn’t use again.
This evening we will dine on a roast lamb meal which is already tickling my nostrils.
Oh, you left us hanging–magpies and mystery. 😉
That little foal with the magpie looks completely exhausted. Wonderful photos.
We have lots of crows here, but no magpies. They are certainly striking looking birds.
Thanks very much, Merril. Sorry, I pressed Send inadvertently. Now updated. I hope you don’t mind going back X
I assumed that’s what happened, but the mystery was kind of fun. 🙂
I imagine Jackie had fun looking around.
Thanks again, Merril
I have to admit that a few times I have hit publish when I didn’t mean to. Magpies are a very handsome bird. We don’t have them in Maine. Too bad the Magpies don’t stick to pony droppings and leave bird eggs alone. But that is the way of nature, isn’t it?
It is, Laurie, which is why we accept that we have, this year at least, one in our garden.
Yes. It can be hard though.
Aw, the beautiful little foal’s expression says, “What’s THAT thing sitting on me? Ma? Anyone? Help!”
Ha! Maybe the magpie is baby-sitting. 🙂
Those stores/shops you featured in such wonderful photos are my kind of stores! What wonderful treasures to behold! 🙂
(((HUGS))) and ❤️❤️ for you and Jackie!!
Thank you so much from each of us, Carolyn XX
I love the antiques and cars! I too have accidentally published, Derrick. It happens!
We probably all have, John. Thank you very much
I could get lost for hours in a garden center 😊
I love old things and could spend all day at this shop.
So do we of course. hank you very much, GP
One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Nothing wrong with that. I believe in recyling and reusing.
Totally agreed, Bridget. Thank you very much
I love the different colour shades and markings of the ponies and foals in the top gallery. Do they stay with those markings when they are full grown?
They do change, but often remain different from their mothers. Thank you very much, Chrissy
Sounds like a full and lovely day. Interesting learn a but more about magpies.
Thank you very much, Pat. It is hard to accept one in the garden for they are such predators.
That would be a problem and I did not know that until you posted the info.
Thanks very much, Pat
You would have had a remarkably wide choice of sticks if you had decided to purchase one.
Thanks a lot, Tootlepedal
You do live in a place of magic…
Thank you very much, Brian
Your wonderful photo of the Magpie atop the foal has stirred my imagination and I have placed it my ‘Derrick’ file …
I look forward to the poem, Ivor. Thank you very much
Maybe after the weekend
Looks like an enjoyable day with an especially pretty herd of ponies and foals, and interesting antiques. I kept at least three of my father’s walking sticks in case I need them one day.
Thank you very much JoAnna. I have grown into one of my late brother’s
Those magpies are incredibly brave. That poor foal!
Thank you very much, Donna
Magpies are definitely doing well here. We have a lot of crows and rooks, but the magpies seem to be the dominant bird in any encounters.
Thank you very much, Gary
Those foals look like they are almost too big for nursing now. They seem to have to really crank their heads!
That’s right. Sometimes I think they are fully grown. Thanks very much, Lavinia
I enjoy looking through collections of things from the past 🙂
Thanks very much, Anne
Beautiful pictures!. I love going for walks and taking photos of the small gestures of nature. These walks give us life, they regenerate us to continue creating and continue living. Thank you!
Much appreciated, Nerja
I could spend all day in there Derrick.
Thank you very much, Andrew
What a selection of marvels! Love the collection of walking sticks, even if you chose the pain of perambulation this time. I did not realize magpies preyed on smaller birds, and I find it interesting how their presence comes and goes on different years.
It is eggs and chicks they take. Thanks very much, Crystal
What a lot of ponies.
I love the the Emporiums, the one I visited regularly closed to make way for new housing. I still haven’t found out where its new location is.
Thank you very much, Sue
Love the magpie encounter. They are so cheeky.
Thanks very much, Sherry
So many treasures!
Thank you very much, Sylvie
I think the magpie is babysitting the baby foal, and the foal is not happy about it.
Quite likely Dolly. Thank you very much
You are most welcome, Derrick.
A veritable treasure trove of
You were stopped in your tracks. Thanks very much, Sheree
So I was, I should’ve stopped at trove
My husband and I have had to stop going to places like Maggie’s Den. No willpower to avoid buying vintage and antique.
Fully understood, Liz. Thank you very much
You’re welcome, Derrick.