Reflections Of Pilley

Knowing that this morning’s dry weather was due to turn wet – which it did – Jackie and I took a forest drive that needed to extend no further than Pilley where rich photographic pickings were to be found.

As we clanked and clattered across the cattle grid into the village we found a veritable herd of shaggy haired donkeys foraging, sleeping, and scratching around the green at Pilley Street and May Lane

Some sprawled somnolently, their hooves tucked beneath them;

a small group surrounded a car attempting to drive down the lane;

others tore and crunched at prickly bushes;

one adventurous animal investigated a parked truck.

Some of those not using low scratching posts engaged in mutual grooming. The last of this group of pictures was obtained through the passenger window glass. I would the window down, saying I wonder whether I could get a clearer shot through the opening. “You won’t” said Jackie. An instant later the eye of a donkey appeared in my viewfinder. The hopeful animal had obscured my sight as it attempted to enter the Modus.

We wondered whether to take home to Dillon a baseball cap left on a post.

Further on, we witnessed much reflective activity on Pilley’s lake,

including that of Canada geese,

a pair of mallards,

and the ripples beneath an inactive set of branches.

Opposite the bus stop a grey pony enjoyed a lunch of cold soup. The last six of these pictures are Jackie’s.

Later, I continued the tedious task of facilitating enlargement of the pictures in the following posts from the Classic Editor period:

This evening we all dined on tender roast beef, crisp roast potatoes, parsnips, and Yorkshire pudding, with firm carrots and Brussels sprouts, and meaty gravy. Ellie enjoyed her squashed vegetables with gravy and horseradish sauce. Jackie drank Hoegaarden and I drank more of the Shiraz.

81 comments

    1. Yes – I enjoy the way you have got to know yours so well. Thanks very much, Pat

  1. I’ll pass on the cold soup and opt for Jackie’s delicious feast! I would even love a plateful of the squashed veggies! 🙂
    OH!!! and OOH!!! The donkeys!!! I love ’em! Those sweet faces! ❤️
    Such beautiful photos, Jackie and Derrick!! 🙂 🙂 Your reflection photos are THE bestest! 🙂 🙂
    (((HUGS))) ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

  2. You managed some fantastic images today. My favourites are the wonderful pony images and those superb reflectiions.
    Looks like you had a good day, Derrick.

    1. Thanks very much, Jodie. The truck had a low side – the donkey could stretch in, making it look as if it was inside the vehicle 🙂

  3. The photos are fine, indeed, but I was most taken with the mention of Ellie and horseradish in the same sentence. Clearly, her palate is being developed, along with everything else. She’ll not be a picky eater, for sure.

    1. She certainly isn’t yet, Linda. She tasted korma sauce and mango lassi on Tuesday. Thanks very much

  4. The donkey photos are always my favourite Derrick … I’ll have to save some into my file .. oh, your computer chair looks a lot more comfortable than mine …

  5. Those are beautiful forest drive photos, Derrick and Jackie. Adorable donkeys to ponies dining on cold seaweed soup! Dinner sounds wonderful, as usual. I am so glad you have working heat and a comfortable home.

  6. I see two hearts lying on their sides created by mirror images in your header and love the mirror effect of Jackie’s white horse drinking soup – like reaching into another dimension. Of course, the donkeys are adorable.

  7. It is a wholesome reflection on donkeys, their drowsiness and general demeanour. Your massive project of restoring photos of old posts goes on, undaunted.

  8. Derrick, I wish I could come along with you two for one of your rides. Those donkeys are a delight. They look soft and gentle, though having one eye to eye might be a wee bit intimidating. I’ve seen them at petting “zoos” over the years, but I would love to see them in the wild. Your duck with reflection photo is stunning. Life looks good.

  9. Are these wild donkeys? I’ve never seen a whole herd like that! Lovely images and that horse’s face almost completely disappeared under water. Too funny.

    1. The animals are all owned by commoners with pasturage rights, but they are free to roam, and have right of way on the roads. Thank you very much, Dale

  10. As always I love how you capture animals with your camera.
    In the states, we have an odd event called ‘donkey basketball’, or we did in the Midwest when I was in school. Do that have that there? It was quite silly and made for fun photos

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