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This afternoon Jackie drove me to New Hall Hospital for a physiotherapy session. This was another positive outcome. I am now just 5 degrees short of the knee flexion target of 120. There remains tightness in the tendons and muscles used to straighten the leg. Claire, my physiotherapist, thinks that this dates from the hip replacement nine years ago. She has given me exercises for this and another session has been booked to work on it further.
We took a leisurely drive back home.
At Nomansland we witnessed a comic drama. The waste bins in the New Forest are designed to be pony proof. The effectiveness of this was demonstrated by a pony that didn’t know this. While the animal struggled to gain access, some members of a visiting family paid attention to the mare’s nearby foal. Suddenly they began pointing past me. Having given up with the bin, the mother pony had homed in on the family lunch bags. The human mother was alerted and came to the rescue. Others joined in.
Clouds of flies were, of necessity, ignored by the pestered animals at this site;
and by this family group on the verge of Roger Penny Way.
We parked the car by the side of Manor Farm in Cadnam Lane, which was overrun by three sows and a sounder of piglets. You can’t get much rasher than that. These snorting, grunting, trotting, creatures dashed hither and thither scratching their flanks on anything in sight, including the Modus, which they sent rocking. I needed to guide Jackie when she wanted to drive off, to ensure that she didn’t have a pig in front of her car.
This evening the three of us dined on Mr Chan’s excellent Hordle Chinese Take Away fare. Jackie drank Hoegaarden while Elizabeth and I finished the Merlot
You’re doing very well with the physio, Derrick. Keep it up!
Thanks very much, John
Good news on the knee, you’ll be signing up for the London marathon in no time! The pony story was most amusing – what a resourceful gal!
Wasn’t she, just, Pauline? Many thanks, especially for the knee appreciation
You must be pleased from your knee news, Derrick–you certainly sound like you’re in a good mood. “You can’t get much rasher than that.” 😉
I liked the photos of the horse trying to figure out the waste container.
I like that photo too
🙂
Your comment caused me to look up “rasher.” Excellent.
🙂
So pleased you made the effort, as you always do, Jodie
Yes – no usage at all here in my corner of New Jersey. Always happy to hear how you guys say things.
Thanks very much, Merril. So pleased you got the joke, as I don’t think the word is in such usage in US.
I definitely got it right away, Derrick. I’ll have to remember to ask my husband if he knows the word.
🙂
Congrats on the knee progress and beautiful photos
Thanks very much, Yvette
Great news about the knee. Atta boy! Loved the title – I had no idea what a Modus was but you answered my question in your text. The horse story was great. Now that mom has learned to rifle through the people’s goodies while her beguiling baby keeps them busy.
Many thanks, Jodie. Loved your take on Mom’s diversion tactics
That’s how I used to do it. I had a stroller of blonde twins, so I made out quite well.
🙂
Oh, and I don’t like those rings on the poor pigs’ noses. I’ve seen that before but don’t remember why we subject them to that. Do you know?
Apparently the purpose is to stop them rooting, described as cruel and inhumane by https://americanminipigassociation.com/educational/nose-rings-in-mini-pigs-cruel-and-ineffective/
Our RSPCA ‘ believes that pigs must not be nose ringed to prevent them from rooting and foraging as the nose ring unreasonably restricts their normal behavioural patterns. Instead, pigs should be provided with alternative substrate to allow foraging behaviour while at the same time preventing adverse effects on the environment.’
Oh, Lord. Well, bravo to the RSPCA, It seems an obviously mean thing to do, but I am glad we have someone out there pointing it out to the people who think a pig might want his nose pierced.
I’m happy to hear about our knee, Derrick! Jackie will be cracking the whip before you know it. I always hate to see the poor horses covered in flies. Love the pigs!
Many thanks, Jill. The ponies do look uncomfortable, but, thinking about it, we suspect they don’t feel the flies on their bodies, yet must be irritated in their eyes and ears.
There is a buoyancy in the air. Everything rocks along with your knee! Incidentally, ponies and pigs occupy farthest ends of acceptability in our culture with scales tilting heavily in favour of the equestrians. Even so, you’d rather sows scratched against the Modus than the hoofed fellows.
Very true, Uma. The hoofed fellows just stand hopefully. Thank you very much
Hope the next therapy session completes the cycle of recovery and you have full use and stretch of your muscles and tendons Derrick. Just love seeing these beautiful and inquisitive horses.
Many thanks, Mary.
Loved the ‘rasher ‘ pun!
Thanks a lot, Andrew 🙂
Nice to know your therapy is going well.
Thanks very much, Arlene
I’m so very happy to hear of your progress and how your PT is going on your knee! 🙂
Ponies AND pigs! Oh, wonderful! UGH on the flies and how they torture the poor animals! YAY on your rasher joke! HA! 😀
HUGS!!! 🙂
So pleased you got the joke, Carolyn. Many thanks X
Derrick, I still am amazed that the horse, and now pigs, can come and go as they please. I’m just flabbergasted (isn’t that a fun word). Good thing that there aren’t gorillas in your neighborhood…😂🦍
Thanks very much, Steve. Fortunately we are very selective about our wild animals over here 🙂
Flabbergasted is a most excellent word.
It is, indeed
Great news on your knee! Well done! Great pics, as always!
Thanks very much, Rob
Never a dull moment, is there? Poor horse to be pestered so by the flies. And, yes, great news about your knee.
Thanks very much, Laurie. Some days are less dull than others 🙂
Glad to hear the good news on the knee!
Thanks very much, Cheryl
God news about the knee – it looks like an interesting action-packed day. I read the guide on pig welfare and was astounded to find that they think castration is better for pigs than a ring in the nose. I don’t like the idea of body piercing but I’d rather have a nose ring, given the choice.
🙁
Me, too. Anything better than that, Quercus. Thanks very much
🙂
I saw that, too, about the pigs/nose rings/ castration. Sigh. This is why I am not an animal farmer. Every animal is a pet and is treated as such. I’d love to be able to slaughter a chicken in a humane way after she has lived a free range life, but I just can’t figure out how to get there.
That’s the dilemma with animals.
I can kill a chicken quickly and humanely, but I don’t like doing it. The first few I did were birds that were sick or injured so it didn’t seem so bad.
The stupid thing is, I know that none of the chickens I eat have had as good a life as I would have given them. So I would be making the world a better place if I could just raise them and kill them. Or stop eating them altogether. I do struggle with this, but not enough to do anything about it yet.
Good news of your knee, Derrick! I love the pony photos! 🙂
Thanks very much, Amy
Excellent knee knews. 🙂 … and don’t think we missed the porcine pun! 😀
As if you would, Widders. Thanks very much
A rasher of bacon. very neat play on words that man.
Many thanks, Paol. Glad you noticed
Glad to hear the physiotherapy is going well, Derrick.
I always love the scenes from your forest drives with Jackie. A pony-proof trash can! An enterprising equine can get into just about anything. 🙂
Very many thanks, Lavinia. You would know about enterprising equines 🙂
Sweet and sour pork perhaps?
:). Nice one, Lindsey
Beautiful pictures!
Thanks very much, Valerie
Thank you for this blog post. This is very interesting information and I hope to see more from of you!
Thank you, Max