On this overcast yet dry and humid morning, carrying out a modicum of dead heading on my way round to collect the Head Gardener’s recent clippings, I added another empty compost bagful to the two that Jackie and and Dillon had not been able to fit into the Modus on yesterday’s dump trip.
Although the sun managed a faint glimmer towards the end of the afternoon, there wasn’t much change in the weather while Jackie and I took a forest drive after stocking up on provisions at Ferndene Farm Shop.
The usual group of ponies chose their favourite bend at Burley Street to disrupt the traffic and fill tyre treads with good manure. The last two on the verge were a slumbering audience as their companions kept pace with slowly moving vehicles.
Noticing a rather splendid steam roller reversing alongside The Elm Pub on Hightown Road, I disembarked once more and followed the
ancient behemoth until it came to rest in the hostelry car park where
two enthusiasts were happy to have me photograph details and poke
my lens and them while they worked on tweaking the boiler and relighting the fire in order successfully to encourage
steam once more to emanate from the tall funnel.
Until something spooked them, a group of deer, one white, shared the green at Hyde with ponies. Then they scarpered sharpish.
This evening we all dined on a variety of tasty pizzas and fresh salad, with which Jackie drank more of the Sauvignon Blanc and I drank Cheval de Montenac Graves 2019.
I love the white deer, very unusual, Derrick! I wonder if the old time tractor ran over the horse piles…
I was thinking exactly the same thing!!!!
Nice! āŗļøāŗļø
Thanks a lot. John
I had no idea there are white deer!
Thanks very much, Liz. https://bds.org.uk/2021/08/13/how-rare-are-white-deer/
You’re welcome, Derrick. Thank you for passing along the link. I just read the article.
Steam-powered farm implements are fascinating. And how wonderful that the ‘boiler’ needing repairs wasn’t the one in your home!
Once again you got the title, Linda. Thanks very much
I was also wondering based on the title if you were having problems with the one in your house again. I was pleased to see you were not.
Thanks again Lavinia
I enjoyed these pictures so much, especially watching the men work on the steamroller. Thanks for sharing your day
Much appreciated, Rose
I enjoyed the steam roller sequence. There is something irresistible about a steam engine in action. Interesting to see the deer too.
Thanks very much, Tootlepedal
So cool! I’ve seen many deer but never a whte one. Beautiful!
Thanks very much, RR. We do have a few in the forest, but they are rare.
A wonderful old steamroller Derrick … Did you find out how old it was?
I didn’t, Ivor. The men were so busy that although they were happy to be photographed I didn’t like to involve them too much. Thanks very much
Interesting and delightful surprises today with the steamroller and white deer! I’m glad you got to see them and to share them with us.
Thanks you very much, JoAnna
Supposedly, the white deer indicates too much inbreeding and that additions are needed to the genepool. White bits on pheasants tell the same sad tale.
Thank you so much, John
How exciting to come across a real steam roller!
Indeed. Thanks very much, Anne
Reading your title in my reader page caused me to go, “Oh, no!” So glad to arrive here, read, and realize it was not home/house related.
You know I enjoy watching men work. š
Also, it’s always a joy to see the pretty ponies…
and the dear deer! Shared space. Suddenly spooked. Scarpered sharpishly. Scattered soon. Surely smart! Seemingly sassy! Silly swan-song. š
(I’ll let myself out now. š )
(((HUGS))) ā¤ļøā¤ļøā¤ļøā¤ļøā¤ļø
Such a variety of fascinating sights in your part of the world, Derrick!
I’m echoing everyone else in admiring them–and also happy to know it wasn’t your boiler that needed repairs.
Thanks very much, Merril. You wouldn’t have expected me to miss the title opportunity
Of course not, Derrick! š
Your pony photos are always wonderful to look at!
Thank you very much, Arlene
That steam roller is quite a specimen, glad it didn’t get close to the ponies.
Is that white deer an albino or a different breed?
Apparently a genetic modification of a roe breed in this instance. Thanks very much
Thanks, Derrick.
I love old machines like this one! I, too, would have wanted to get up close and personal with it. Beautiful photos.
Thank you very much, Dale
š
I thought white deer only existed in fairy tales, sometimes morphing into unicorns.
A fascinating antique machine I had only read about.
Please tell Jackie I am saying Cheers! with Sauvignon Blanc. ????????
Will do Dolly, Cheers
????
What a treat to see white deer and the old steam roller is most interesting.
Thanks very much, Eugi
My pleasure, Derrick.
That is a splendid steam roller. I have never seen anything like it.
Thank you very much, Laurie. I remember them on our roads from childhood
Hah! They “…scarpered sharpish.” You’re such a wordsmith! Oh, and I loved all those steamroller photos. Quite the machine!
Thank you very much Jan š
What a beautiful old steam engine.
Thank you very much, Andy
You’re welcome.
Graham, my late husband, would have been in the car park too and collecting photographs and introducing himself. He loved steam engines and traction engines.
A happy think in common. Sue. Thank you very much
Sounds like a lovely day out, Derrick and Jackie. The ponies look sleek and shiny in their summer coats. I liked the old steam roller, too. In one of the photos, I noticed the plaque on the side says “Gertrude Lucy” Was that the tractor’s name?
How often do you spot white deer among local population?
We think that was the vehicle’s name. Three times white deer in 13 years
beautiful ponies! and the deer are cute š
Thank you very much, Wilma
Magnificent steam engine
Thanks very much, Sheree
A most interesting post, Derrick. Gertrude Lucy is quite a machine. Amazing to see working in this day and age. A real piece of engineering from days gone by.
Thank you very much, Dwight
You are very welcome!
Wow! A white deer! Beautiful!
Thank you very much, Ribana
What a beautiful old steam roller, superbly restored.
Thank you very much, Lindsey