On this dry, sunny and consequently cooler day Jackie and I took a drive around the north of the forest, taking in lunch at Hockey’s Farmhouse Café where we each enjoyed our respective favourites.
Traffic was slow during the early part of our trip, and we had to wait for a train to pass through the Brockenhurst level crossing, enabling
me to photograph catkins beside the road.
I photographed donkeys, trees in the landscape, and a jogger along the road at Penn Street Common,
where unusually silent starlings sat upon a hedge in which, photographed by Jackie,
flittered flocks of twittering sparrows.
Although no more rain fell, roads, like North Gorley, along which traffic splayed, sprayed, and reflected;
and moorland, as at Penn Common and North Gorley, continuing to bear waterlogged stretches and nurture ponies, still showed extensive evidence of the recent deluges.
Work was proceeding on the thatch of The Elm Tree featured in https://derrickjknight.com/2024/02/04/thatching-with-cider/
It may not have rained today, but previous precipitation glistened in the sunshine.
This evening we all dined on a choice of Jackie’s delicious beef or chicken pies; creamy mashed potatoes; peas and sweetcorn; crunchy carrots, and tender broccoli stems, with which she drank more of the rosé and I drank more of the Portuguese red.
You’re quite poetic today, Derrick. Loved the pictures and have a desire to go out and visit Buddy, after seeing your fuzzy donkeys. As always, dinner sound delicious.
Thank you very much, Pat
You hit the triple crown with me today! Donkeys, ponies and a thatched roof! Thank you.
Much appreciated, GP
I love the images of the donkeys. Those thatchers must be delighted to have had a much-needed dry day.
I thought we’d had more than our fair share of rain here in Yorkshire with our flooded fields, but by the look of your roads, you’ve had a share of other people’s.
Thank you very much, Sue.
Rain or shine, the animals seem to take it in stride 🙂
Thanks very much, Rosaliene
I’m a sucker for little donkeys, and with catkins to look at as well, I was really pleased.
Thank you very much, John
Great photos as always. I especially love the rain soaked ones with the reflections!
Thank you very much, Donna
Still very wet but lovely!
Thanks very much, John
The donkeys made my tired eyes smile, Derrick
Thanks very much, Ivor
Splendid photos, Jackie and Derrick!
Oh, you know I love seeing the donkeys! And it’s wonderful to see the birdies, too!
So great that there are some blue skies and some dry spots. Still some puddles…but puddles can either be avoided or jumped in! HA! It’s fun to put on cute rain-boots and jump in puddles. 🙂
(((HUGS))) ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thanks very much, Carolyn X
I love the jackdaw photos!
Sorry, Liz. Of course they are starlings. I even flanked them with silent and sat for alliteration! An aberration. Perhaps I was thinking of Jackie 🙂
Thank you for the correction, Derrick. (Obviously, I don’t know the difference.) 🙂
Wonderful travelogue, Derrick. The thatch roof was fascinating since I don’t see them here (US). Do they leak? They look very thick.
They don’t leak and are good for 30 years. The thickness is because the new is laid upon the old. Thanks very much, Steve
Very interesting.
The jackdaws were very unusual.
They are starlings, Tootlepedal. Doh! Now amended. Thanks very much
Your jackdaws look remarkably like our starlings. The iridescence is very pretty.
They are, of course starlings. I even flanked them with silent and sat for alliteration! Perhaps I was thinking of Jackie 🙂 Now amended. Thanks very much, Linda
Thank you for taking me along with all the beautiful photos. The thatched roof looks beautiful.
Much appreciated, Lakshmi
The donkeys and ponies look so cuddly. I like the photo of the tree reflecting in the pool on North Gorley Road.
Thank you very much, JoAnna
Lots of water. The water table should be all set.
Thanks very much, Laurie
Everything looks so fresh Derrick. I love those little sparrows.
Thank you very much, Arlene
Spring is in the air! Beautiful pictures, Derrick. I hope all is well.
Yes, thank you very much, Bridget
A lovely day! It seems like spring is coming!
Yes. Thank you very much, Riba
Your jackdaws must be starlings 🙂 Lovely to see the animals around your part of the world.
I love those jackdaws! Great photos today.
Thanks very much, Chrissy. Sorry – they are starlings – now amended
Some lovely images.
Thank you very much, Rupali
Splayed, sprayed and reflected… flittered flocks of twittering sparrows… oh my! Your WordSmith was working overtime today! Loved it! And as always, your donkeys fascinate me! Have a Terrific Tuesday, {{{Derrick}}} ❤️????
Thank you very much, Jan X
It must be good to see sun after all that rain and high water, Derrick and Jackie. The ponies, donkeys and even starlings look pleased, too.
I love a thatched roof, although in my area they would be considered dangerous in fire season. Metal roofing is encouraged.
Thanks very much from each of us Lavinia
That looks like much of Connecticut in January.
Thank you very much, Elizabeth
All that rain didn’t seem to bother the animals, birds or jogger one bit. That meal is my kind of meal.
Thank you very much, Diane
Wonderful photos. Don’t see enough thatched roofs these days
Thanks very much, Gary
Those donkeys are adorable. And that is some very wet terrain. I love thatched roofs.
Thanks very much, Dale
Hi Derrick, initially, I thought the thatched roof was a haystack. Quite funny.
Thanks very much, Robbie
Looking positively springlike today