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Until late afternoon I rather dozed the time away today. Jackie then drove me to the north of the forest and back. I was able to swing my left leg into the car without falling foul of the bottom of the passenger door.
As we approached Ibsley we were held up by ponies blocking the road. The first of these photographs was taken through the windscreen. Jackie wasn’t really able to manoeuvre the car into a position for me to use my passenger seat window, so I nipped onto the verge to take the second shot.
Knowing that these animals were likely to cross the now dry ford, we decided to position ourselves ahead for them and wait for their arrival. The first of these images was made while standing beside the car; the second, after I had settled back inside, through the driver’s window.
We crossed the ford ahead of the ponies, and waited. And waited. And waited some more. The creatures remained beside the bank of the stream. Once more I disembarked and advanced on the horses with the aid of my crutch. Giving me just time enough to reach the other bank, the beasts, en masse, rounded the corner, crossed the ford, and surrounded the car. By the time I reached it they were wandering into the shade. They may not have known that we were playing cat and mouse, but they won anyway.
A little further along the road a pale ochre cow, as if in a rugby ruck, picked its way over a heap of prone players before settling down to chew the cud. Jackie had positioned the car suitable for me to take these through my own window.
Donkeys on the road at Hyde were unusually frisky. I took the first of these pictures through the windscreen, the other two through Jackie’s open window.
The pond at Abbots Well is looking quite dry, but it still attracted cattle for a drink. Two calves, like any other pair of playful infants, bounded round to the far side of the water before slaking their thirst on their own.
We dined this evening on beef burgers, fried onions, creamy mashed potato, crunchy carrots, and cabbage, with tasty gravy.
I’ve come to so look forward to your traveling photos, Derrick! And as always I appreciate Jackie playing chauffeur to accommodate!
My great pleasure, GP. Thanks very much
Love the pics of the horses and cciws Interesting prelude to my next post where i focus on my bonding with farm animals. Hope to develop and post tonight ior tomorrow after i recover a bit from today’s medical procedure.
Thanks a lot, Gary. I look forward to it
You clearly love all the critters near your home–and likely elsewhere. Were you an equestrian of sorts? Have you kept other animals? Dogs or cats? It is always fun to see them romp and go about their own business. Excellent shots, as ever.
Many thanks, Cynthia. Not an equestrian, nor really a pet lover, but we have taken in two rescue dogs and a cat over the years. I prefer animals free, although I can understand the relationships others have with especially their dogs.
And glad you’re getting out a bit one more!
Thanks very much, Cynthia
I laughed at the way the horses eluded you as if deliberately. You say cat and mouse: that was showing all the cussedness of cats!
🙂 Thanks a lot, Leslie
Lovely silhouette of the ponies.
Thanks a lot, Helen. It was worth the effort. Glad you appreciated it
😊
I think the ponies, knowing you had ‘nipped’ out of the car to get a shot or two, decided to give you a bit more opportunity for exercise and had to wait patiently for you to get into position so they could move toward the car. They’ll have you bounding about enthusiastically in no time at all 🙂
I thought they were quite beastly, Pauline. Many thanks
I’m pleased, Derrick. That you felt able to ‘nip to the verge’ at one point. You couldn’t have done that a few days ago.
Quite so, Roland. Poetic licence in the word ‘nip’ you understand 🙂 Thanks very much
Well done Derrick, a beautiful collection of photos, and great to see you getting about a bit.
Thanks very much, Ivor
You are surrounded by a true Wild Kingdom, Derrick. Be safe swinging that leg!
It is a case of swinging slow – very slow. Thanks a lot, Jill
My favorite photo subjects! So glad you got lots of pictures of the ponies, Looks like you are on the mend, Derrick!
I think so, Diane. Many thanks
You lastly explained to me who were all the horses at liberty.
But I ask myself a question: what do they do with them?
What happens in case of theft?
Many thanks, Yoshimi. The ponies are kept for the pleasure of keeping up a centuries old tradition. Some people do ride them but most are left to roam in their own sector. This link has something to say about theft: http://newforestcommoner.co.uk/2015/11/08/new-forest-the-truth-about-the-wild-ponies/
thank you for the information, I’l go read it
‘Nipped onto the verge’ ! OH PLEEEEASE, I had a 10 mile traffic jam behind me as you nipped!!
I must have missed something… whatever happened to your leg, Derrick?
Total knee replacement on 18th May. I had no idea how long recovery would take. Thanks for asking, Anna
I hear it hurts, but be sure to diligently do your prescribed exercises, despite the pain. One of my relatives didn’t, and his knee never fully healed. So, he nagged his wife to be very conscientious about doing hers. She healed much better. Good luck to you, and speedy recovery!
Thanks very much
It’s great to see the Horses roaming free without restraint, our Government wants to cull our wild Brumbies in the snow covered high country here, blaming the damage they do to the Flora and Fauna.
Has Jackie got any tips on cooking Cabbage, mine always turns out soggy, bland and no damn taste ??
Cheers
Cheers, Ian. I’ll ask when she comes in from the garden – or, more likely, when I go out there 🙂
What a fantastically delightful collection of pictures. Just what I needed to cheer up!!!!!!!!
Thanks very much, Efi. I’m pleased
Swinging and nipping … all suggesting that you’re continuing to make progress, Derrick 🙂 I hope that’s the case!
So do I !! Many thanks, Sandra
Splendid photos, Derrick. I particularly like the black and white (or without much color) photo of the two ponies–and the cows piled up together made me laugh.
It sounds like you are getting about much better now.
Thanks very much, Merril. All is comparative :). I did convert the B/W picture
🙂
It’s amazing that you have all this beautiful wildlife not far from your home.
It is, indeed, Cathi. Many thanks
Ponies on the move! Beautiful creatures. Sounds like your knee—and hence your mobility—is improving by leaps and bounds. Well, maybe not leaps and bounds, but you do seem to be getting around more easily.
Many thanks, Laurie. Yes, not quite leaps and bounds 🙂
I liked reading the word ‘nipped’! I am beginning to think your mobility is improving somewhat! I enjoyed all these animal photos but especially the cattle in the water.
Many thanks, Clare. ‘Nipped’ not to be taken literally 🙂 but mobility is better
More cow bums! 😀 … that pain when you bump into something, is excruciating. My eyes watered just reading that you DIDN’T do it this time. 😀
Many thanks, Widders. Actually, when I got out of the car, I hadn’t anticipated a sudden steep incline, so I did jar the leg with no problem
Plenty of horses and moo cows, but nary a cat or mouse to be seen. I wonder has all that food from Tesco’s sent you bonkers?
I can’t believe you didn’t see them, Brian. Many thanks
Probably because I haven’t been drinking alcohol lately
Neither have I 🙂