With very few raindrops adding to yesterday’s deluge contribution on the roads, on the moors, and on the woodlands, despite the welcome sunshine, the gale force winds picking up made the temperature feel far more than the alleged seven degrees centigrade as we splashed out on an early forest drive.
It was round the corner into Hordle Lane that we first encountered tarmac awash with pools.
Having negotiated the Woodcock Lane junction, turning right into Silver Street,
Jackie deviated across the road into Agars Lane with its ancient high banked verges, where she was able to park giving me a good vantage
point for photographing vehicles spraying precipitation into the air.
After Barrows Lane reflecting the Parcel Force delivery van’s splash of colour I decided to focus on other scenes.
This meant a visit to Boundway Hill where we parked beside broken
limbs from an ancient oak tree that must have suffered the damage not too long ago.
Knowing that a fine woodland landscape would reward the effort, with some trepidation I ventured
down the soggy footpath towards
the welcome sight.
The surrounding woodland and its verges bore their share of reflecting pools.
On the way down to Brockenhurst, beside a gravelled road linking with the adjacent tarmac forming deep potholes,
foraged three ponies,
one sporting an erstwhile fashionable beard.
We hadn’t brunched at The Potting Shed in Redcliffe Garden Centre since before Covid and knee replacements, and thought it time to try it again. It is as good as ever, having had a tasteful makeover without changing its essential country garden character.
This popular venue was as packed as we always remembered it, which means that, in order to respect privacy I had to focus on one corner only when its occupants had left and before replacements had arrived.
In the top left hand corner of these two images appears an invitation to book a vintage tea party, no doubt served on the crockery displayed in the dresser.
The wood burning stove is protected by a fire guard with clear warnings.
Beautifully drawn decorations and artefacts decorate all the walls, and
very apt quotations are painted on the ceilings.
Many of my readers will agree with this one by Cicero.
Service was amazingly fast, efficient, and friendly. I was particularly impressed with how quickly, cleanly, and tidily vacated tables were cleared ready for the next customers, although no-one was rushed.
Jackie’s egg mayonnaise sandwich, served with fresh salad and crisps was well filled and moist;
My ham, double egg, and chips, was equally perfect, with eggs served sunny side up and soft enough to dip well browned chips.
This evening we all dined on haddock cheese-centred fish cakes; Jackie’s piquant cauliflower cheese; crunchy carrots; green peas, and white and sweet potato mash, with which The Culinary Queen drank Hoegaarden and I finished the fitou.
Love this post, particularly that quote. Many of my favorite two and four legged males sport chin whiskers from Buddy to you and my husband and now the pony.
Thank you so much, Pat
Wow, your meals look so delicious, guys! That’s my kind of restaurant. I hope that things get a chance to dry out for you, this flooding has been going on for a few weeks now it seems. Happy new week! ????
Thank you very much, John
You’re welcome sir. ????????
I don’t think you’ve been out and about to feature such an assortment of photos in a while. The sawed oak branches are so visceral–they look like a creature in pain. The woodland landscape is beautiful. I love the bearded pony, and the restaurant is delightful. I’d love to have lunch there!
Thank you so much, Merril. Yes – we had much more time today.
You’re welcome, Derrick.
I love driving in the aftermath of rain storms. Not so the pot holes. I read somewhere that many roads and buildings built by our ancestors remain in tact… then we started using engineers. 🙂 Totally agree by with Cicero.
Thank you so much, Chrissy
I agree with Cicero. The bearded pony is cute.
Thank you very much, Dolly
You are very welcome, Derrick.
The wet pavements and the puddles certainly add another element to all your photographs Derrick. And I see my old friend the white pony is still there.
Thank you very much, John
Looks like you had a goof day.
We did. Thanks very much, Andy
You’re welcome.
You have had quite a bit of rain! I hope you do not get the opposite, a sever drought, this summer. I feel sorry for that old oak, having seen and suffered so much over its life.
That white pony is sporting a fine beard. Gives him a slight goaty appearance. 🙂
Thank you so much, Lavinia
I’m delighted it stayed dry, perhaps my forecast was for a little further east.
You captured fabulous images of the rain-soaked roads, and equally so with the ponies.
I’m glad you had a good lunch, it looks like a lovely place, some great images, thank you very much for the heads up. 🙂
Much appreciated, Sue.
You’re right about appreciation of the Cicero quote!
Thanks very much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick.
I daresay that Cicero probably had a few slaves who took care of those tedious day to day tasks that he never noticed being done while he sat in his library and garden.
Good point, Tootlepedal. Thank you very much
The Potting Shed does look very welcoming and bright and the food looks extremely appetising! I am glad you managed to get through all the flooded roads safely.
Thank you very much, Clare
The oak tree does look ancient. It is good to see photos of rain, we have to wait till June 🙂
Thank you very much, Lakshmi.
Good morning Derrick, do you know how John Knifton is? It has been almost two weeks.
Hello, Lakshmi. I haven’t heard, but I have sent him a message saying we are thinking about him and hope he is OK. Thanks very much
Further info, Lakshmi, is that John, still very tired, is home from hospital awaiting an operation in mid-March. I will let you know anything further I learn.
Thank you Derrick.
So many interesting photos! The Potting Shed looks like a fun place. I like the silver sun mirror. The woodland is always a welcome sight, and it’s not every day you see a white bearded pony.
Thank you very much, JoAnna
What a fun place The Potting Shed must be! Love the beautiful ponies Derrick.
Thank you very much, Diane
Wonderful photos of The Potting Shed, and the quotations on the ceiling are indeed fascinating Derrick.
Thanks very much, Ivor
I have a library and a garden – and a home that needs looking after – which makes me feel happy indeed. You are getting more than a fair share of rain, so I hope you will be able to enjoy some longer periods of sunshine soon.
Thanks very much, Anne. No rain predicted today
Love that pretty pony with the handsome beard!
What a delightful inspiring place to eat and just be!
(((HUGS))) ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thank you very much, Carolyn X
Beautiful photos Derrick! And what a lovely place to eat! I would be more than happy with a garden and a library too 🙂
Thank you very much, Riba
Wet, wet, wet but the ponies must be enjoying the green grass.
BTW, what a lovely quotation.
Thank you very much, Arlene
Wonderful pics and great pony!
Thank you very much, Luisa
My pleasure, dear Derrick!
I agree with Cicero. The restaurant is charming and the food looks delicious. Your photos are all so interesting especially of the bearded pony.
A soggy day out turned up some lovely surprises!
Thank you very much, Val
So much water! I wonder what kind of spring and summer you will have. That is a sweet little beard on that pony. I certainly do agree with Cicero. 😉 The food looks really good.
Thank you so much, Laurie
Lovely quote about garden and library!
Thank you very much, Alexander
This was a lovely and much-varied post! Love the potting shed images as well as well, everything! That view was definitely worth the muddy trek!
Thank you so much, Dale
That bearded pony, and funky Potting Shed, both begged to be photographed! Thank you for sharing them with us!
Much appreciated, Donna
That’s as white as my beard these days.
Thanks a lot, Gary
Beautiful wall decorations; the bearded pony is cute.
Thanks very much, Byung
Gosh, you are awash
Yep. Thanks a lot, Sheree