This afternoon Jackie drove us on a tour of the east of The New Forest.
The first stop was just outside Sway, where I spotted an attractive looking pony. Once out of the car and approaching my prey, I found there was another family member emerging from the gorse bush, some of which still adhered to my chosen subject, who had the decency to take her head out of the bush and pose for me.
Brockenhurst has quite an important railway station. Bridges are therefore found over the approach roads. As I prepared to take the first of these shots, I noticed two cyclists coming into view, paused, and clicked a few times.
The house on the left of this image is a comparatively recent building, and demonstrates an affinity for the area. The car approaching the bridge has its headlights on, as do many when driving through the forest.
On Roger Penny Way, just beyond Cadnam, stands the epitome of chocolate box thatched cottages.
A stream, here providing refreshment for a fluttering white dove, runs alongside and in front of
the idyllic country garden.
Further along, at Burwash, we encountered a flock of sheep lazing on the road.
In stepping out to make their acquaintance I disturbed them enough to cause them to take off down the road,
leaving evidence of their fright peppering the tarmac.
Nearing sunset, back on Roger Penny Way, a pair of donkeys were oblivious of the local rush hour traffic,
until they left the the road across which they cast their lengthy shadows.
Tethering Drove in Hale Purlieu. Now there is a place with a name that deserves to host a decent sunset or two.
There were more possibilities at Woodgreen.
As the ponies cropped the grass, I cropped the first of these last two pictures.
This evening we dined on oven fish and chips, mushy peas, pickled onions, and cornichons. Jackie’s choice of beer was Hoegaarden, and mine, Old Speckled Hen.
Giving way to animals is such a civilised thing to do.
Thanks, Mary
Your photos of the chocolate box cottages and idyllic country garden remind me of the very popular works of the American painter, Thomas Kinkade.
I love the word “purlieu.”
Thanks, Cynthia. Great word, isn’t it?
Very expressive photos, Derrick. And very picturesque.
Thanks, Monica
I adore your travels about the English countryside. I feel like I’m in the car with you and Jackie. Some day I must hunt down Hoegaarden and have a taste. As for Tethering Drove in Hale Purlieu, not only a lovely spot for a sunset but a name worthy of a poem, or at least a limerick or two.
Thanks, Susanne. Certainly a name to conjure with
I was thinking of how you had managed to fit in so many images of the things that make England such a unique country and then you went and finished with fish and chips and mushy peas!! Brilliant 🙂
Thanks, Pauline. I like the new profile pic
In my neck of the woods, you’ll only find Canadian Geese lounging on the roads. Your sunset photos are gorgeous, Derrick!
Thanks, Jill
Beautiful sunset photos, Derrick, and it’s amazing how fearless those sheep look. Unabashed by man and his machines. ☺
Thanks, Van
The little cottage with the wall and the fence on the stream is magical. I have a soft spot for donkeys. Bet nobody speeds through the New Forest!
Thanks, Lisa. It is certainly not to be advised. At 40 mph you would have a job to stop when the ponies step out.
Ha! Lovely. Doesn’t look a lot different, then and now. Beautiful pictures as ever
Thanks, Geoff
Ponies, and sheep, and donkeys, oh my! 🙂
Thanks, Widdershins. It is magical
Beautiful photos. And the random wandering animals were a bonus.
Thanks, Leslie
Gorgeous!
Thanks, Alex
You really make me want to go back to England again for a visit! The light in England and Ireland is so different from that in the States. You capture the magic so well.
Many thanks, Adrienne
My gosh, a feast for the eyes at every turn. You live in a story book Derrick. It looks as though boo-peep might pop out from one of those wonderful thatched cottages at any moment. I’ve always had a soft heart for burrows. I hope these two are well loved. x B
Thanks, Boomdee. They have certainly been well-fed this mild winter
Hey, you were waxing lyrical today, Derrick. You always find something to inspire you, it seems!
As with your posts, it is a matter of looking, Yvonne. Thanks
What a wonderful display of Nature. The only intrusion seems to be the paved roads and cars.
So much in your post today—horses, sheep, cottages, and glorious sunsets. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Laurie. My pleasure
Today, I Googled where New Forest was so that I could place it on a map of England. Nice to have a sense of where those beautiful photos come from. Jane Austen country? Also, Gilbert White?
Both these writers homes were in Hampshire, the same county, but further away from the forest. Thank you for having such interest, Laurie
Oh, I love England. I’ve been there once, to North Yorkshire to visit friends, and I was immediately smitten. Funny how a Maine girl can be so drawn to another place.
Lovely photos,
It was just the bit of armchair travel I needed this morning.
Thank you!
Thank you, April
Lovely drive and beautiful photos, thank you:)
My pleasure, Lakshmi
You took many enchanting shots, and the gentle animals sharing the road with the motorists were heartwarming! 🙂 🐎
Thank you, Rose
It’s like walking into a blesses past. Lovely!
It is isn’t it, Micheline? Thanks
Lovely photos! Thank you so much for sharing with us. 🙂
My pleasure, thanks, Amy
Storybookish indeed! We love the way animals behave as if the road was made for their leisure.
Thanks, Mostly. They do, legally, have the right of way!!