Early this morning we visited Ferndene Farm Shop to purchase three 60 litre bags of compost and some trailing petunias, continuing on a forest drive.
Conker candelabra seem rather early this year on Bisterne Close.
We stopped on Holmsley Passage for a while and admired its flanking woodland.
Along Holmsley Road I wondered what had spooked the ponies who moments before had been basking in the sunshine. Now they were running this way and that. They don’t often expend that much energy.
Had they heard or imagined a crack of the equestrienne’s whip?
After she rode off they relaxed and carried on regardless. The mare with the magnificent mane sports the first flies of the year;
past the adjacent gorse groups we were treated to our first foal which stirred itself
for a feed.
On our way home we brunched at Redcliffe Nursery.
After this I spent several hours producing and publishing https://derrickjknight.com/2025/05/10/anglo-saxon-england/
This evening we dined on Mr Pink’s fish and chips; Mrs Elswood’s Sandwich gherkins; and Garner’s pickled onions, with which jackie drank more of the rosé while I finished there merlot.
Great pictures, Derrick.
Thank you very much, Pat
Your photos and words are always so lovely, Derrick. And Jackie’s meals — absolutely mouth watering!
Thank you very much, Donna
I enjoyed the Holmsley Passage woodland and suckling foal. Glad the ponies relaxed.
Thank you very much, JoAnna
I love the photos of the ponies in motion, such handsome creatures.
Thank you very much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick.
The green collage of photos is inspiring
Thank you very much, Sylvie
Wonderful photos, Derrick! Cheers! 🤗
Love your photos Derrick. The ponies are afraid of the whip?😍
Wonderful photos…love the action ones. Those ponies can run when they need or want to. 🙂 Love the new little foal…such a cutie! 🙂 Love the sunlight and shadows photos. So pretty. (((HUGS))) and ❤️❤️ for you and Jackie!!
Thank you very much from each of us, Carolyn XX
Beautiful sunshine highlights.
Thank you very much, Anne
Great galleries Derrick. The sunshine continues unabated here in the east as well.
Thanks very much, Andrew
It looks like it was a beautiful day–so many lovely photos of the woods. I especially like the ponies captured in action and the little foal suckling with the jackdaw strutting nearby.
Thank you so much, Merril
I admire your intestinal fortitude – I’m not sure I could manage gherkins and pickled onions at the same time. 🙂
Thanks very much, Quercus
🙂
The ponies are looking great this year. Whoever spooked them better hope I don’t find out who they are!
Thank you so much, GP
Lovley post Derrick. I am so busy with appointments and trying to be outside birding. May is a busy month.
Thank you so much, Sherry
I am so glad you both are well. Have a great Sunday.
Thank you so much, Bridget
The green collage is beautiful, and the photos of the ponies in action are stunning, Derrick.
Thank you so much, Eugi
You’re welcome, Derrick.
I bought some compost sight and seen from my local shop at what I thought was a very reasonable price until I found when they were delivered that the bags only contained 40 kg. Shrinkflation! But at least I could carry them about easily.
Thanks very much, Tootlepedal
Wonderful photography Derrick
Thank you very much, Gary
I particularly loved the filtered light woodlands and the first foal of the season.
Thank you very much, Lavinia. I hoped you might
Beautiful.
Thank you very much, Cindy
I love the images today. There’s a Mare and foal in the field over the lane. They arrived here a couple of weeks ago. This has always been one of the foal fields, so I expect we’ll see a few more arriving quite soon.
Thank you very much, Sue
Gorgeous forest scenes today – very atmospheric.
Thank you very much, Sheree