It was a pair of grey ponies at the crossroads that prompted me to ask my willing Chauffeuse to park beside
the stream at Ibsley ford, where a story began to unfold.
The greys, casting their shadows in the morning sunshine, were mirrored by a couple of cyclists engaging in a lengthy conversation before parting and going their separate ways.
Leaving its companion to admire her silhouette, the lead pony
climbed to a higher level and, despite acorns being poisonous to horses, began to snuffle around them.
A kindly woman parked nearby, left her vehicle, and began lobbing apples in the direction of the animal that had remained on the green. You may need to bigify these pictures to see the airborne fruit just beneath a cycle wheel.
Having emptied her carrier bag the lady returned to her car and continued on her way, leaving the recipient of her largesse wondering what to do next.
There are a number of mighty oaks at this location. Here, one is host to an intriguing fungus; another leans over a stream; and a third casts long shadows.
This comparative youngster has seen better days.
Visiting holiday children spent many happy hours on this makeshift swing.
On the other side of the ford the continuing stream
has recently been bridged by a fallen tree which will see no better days.
I photographed some autumn leaves and turned to find that
Jackie had been focussed on me.
In nearby fields, reflecting the much colder, albeit bright, weather, field horses are back in their winter rugs.
We drove on to Hockey’s where we brunched, even though on technically takeaway meals, this time in
a warm covered dining area with its antique displays.
We had travelled to the north of the forest in search of peckish pannage porkers, but the only ones we met were these on Hockey’s pots.
On the road to Gorley I photographed a fence and its accompanying gate; a lane with smoke wafting past a thatched cottage; and sunlight piercing the same vapours within the dappled woodland.
Jackie meanwhile focussed on
the ancient craft of hedge laying
and a winsome weather vane, in the process pausing for the wind to produce a pleasing direction.
Later, we presented a dilemma to a hind and fawn imitating a pair of rabbits in headlights. They eventually decided to take the road ahead, until they encountered an oncoming woman. What now?
The walker moved aside and they scampered back into the trees.
This evening we dined on oven fish, chips, and peas with which Jackie drank Hoegaarden and I drank more of the Shiraz.
I felt like I went on such a journey with you on this one, Derrick (and Jackie)! I’ve felt bad for deer when they didn’t know which direction was safer.
That is lovely, Merril. We are so pleased. Thanks very much.
You’re very welcome.
Apples for my ponies!! That woman is okay by me!!
Those dining areas are adorable. I wouldn’t mind having some of that stuff for accessories around the my house!
Thanks a lot, GP. Many people would feel the same about the artefacts. You probably spotted one of the not for sale signs.
Yes – no fair!
🙂
The shadows on the first black and white are fantastic, Derrick, as is the play of the two greys and their shadows.
Thank you very much, Dolly
My pleasure, Derrick.
I love the black and white pictures. What a treat. Thank you, Derrick.
And thank you very much, Bridget.
There is a fine selection of delights in this post. In spite of the handsome horses, I think that I liked the scene with the bridge best.
I took that one with you in mind, Tootlepedal, reflecting that it wasn’t a patch on your beauties.:) Thanks very much.
I like all sorts of bridges.
Beautiful grey ponies, Derrick. I hope they like apples. 😀 What a delightful adventure you’ve taken me on today.
Thanks very much, Sylvia. That pony didn’t seem to want an apple 🙂
He probably wondered why he was being bombarded with unwanted apples. 😀
That may well be 🙂
“Sunlight through Smoke in Woodland” is the winner for me, although the winsome weather vane comes a close second.
Once again you pick the best, Liz
Thanks very much
Boy, this post is packed with so many terrific shots, Derrick. Looks like the weather was picture perfect. Love the black and white shots!
Thanks very much, Jill. You are right about the weather.
I adored warm covered dining area at Hockey’s, with its antique displays. .. reminds of the ‘Box Office Cafe’, (where I often have lunch), with it’s canvas canopy’s and rustic atmosphere…
I’m pleased, Ivor. Thanks very much.
What a delightful post with so many sights to enjoy! In addition to the ponies and deer with their stories, I loved the weather vane. The hedge laying is interesting. It’s good to use natural fences when possible. Fugus can be quite intriguing as long as it’s on trees.
Thanks very much, JoAnna. I thought of you when picturing the trees.
Looks like a great place for brunch! Hope the horses are getting some relief from the flies.
A good thought, Laurie. I is now cold enough to see off the flies. Thanks very much.
Good! Felt so bad for those horses.
It does look like torture
I looked up hedge laying. It seems like an efficient and resourceful way to manage fencing, borders and wildlife. It is a skill I have not seen over here anywhere, yet..
Thanks very much, Lavinia. I thought the sign very well written.
The post presents moods of many hues through the ponies, fungus on the tree, makeshift swings over pools, tentative fawns and cosy dining areas. Those beams of light look great, and so do you, caught by the AP.
Thank you so much, my observant friend, Uma.
I watched the hedge laying on Country File, what a useful skill to have and good use of natural resources.
Thanks very much, Sue. I thought Joe’s description was more literary than usual.
That intriguing fungus looks very like the creature in the film “Alien”, and, having seen the film, I wouldn’t go too close to it if it’s still there next time you visit.
Thanks for the warning, John. 🙂
Looks like the greys, and their shadows, had a lovely day. 🙂
Oh, what a wonderful swing! I can imagine many HAVE found joy there!
There is something about a bridge…whether small or gigantic…that captures me in!
Weather vanes are always a joy, too!
Oh, gosh! Those piggies would make such a swine addition to any garden. 😀
Love seeing the dear dear! Your B&W shots of them are so lovely!
HUGS to you and Jackie!!! 🙂
Thanks very much, Carolyn 🙂 X
Fantastic photography again sir.
Thanks very much, Gary.
Hi Derrick !
I noticed on the directional sign in the first photo, the word ‘Mockbeggar’.
Our neighbourhood in Newfoundland is also called Mockbeggar. It dates from 1497.
We live within a kilometre of where John Cabot landed.
Thanks for a great post. 🤗🌷
Wow. That is fascinating, Sally. Many thanks.
Heerlijke blog, schitterende eiken en die hertjes … Voor mij zou het ook erg gezond zijn, om wat meer de natuur in tè gaan. Met de Kostverlorenvaart na een omweerSbui ben ik wel klaar, de gigantische boten komen ook altijd voorbij als ik weer binnen ben.
Een Tweede Corona Golf zit er aan te komen, hoor en lees ik overal … Mensen verliezen hun baan, zijn kwaad …
Kortom, het wordt er niet gezelliger op in de wereld: Eerst heel heftig in China, Europa, Amerika en die begrijpen het nog niet, zien het als de ‘Ver van me bed show’ en ze nemen nog een shot heroÏne …
Ik ga foto’s downloaden en misschien neem ik een andere blog, ook met mooie grote foto’s over het hele beeldscherm. Kunnen ze de rotkop van een oud wijf van 76 goed bestuderen … Me haar ga ik helemaal afknippen: Grote stappen vlug thuis … Blijf gezond en eet veel groenten, liefs van Elfriede in Amsterdam, 26-9-2020, 16.50 uur … * http://www.friedabblog.wordpress.com * BAKKIE-Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-YYYYYYYYYY!
Thanks very much, Frieda
thank you for taking us on a delightful adventure, Derrick! very much enjoyed the scenery and the much calmer horses today. 🙂
Thanks very much, Lola. Definitely calmer 🙂
I like the horse admiring her shadow and I also like that swing over the stream. My kids would have loved swinging on that 🙂
Thanks very much, Barbara
A nice gallery, Derrick.
Thanks very much, Rupali.
I especially like the photo of the autumn leaves. It’s nice to learn about hedge laying. I didn’t know anything about that, and only very little about hedges themselves. My mother was a fan of cast iron pigs, and the peckish pannage porkers reminded me of those. I do like how you tell stories with your photos and bring us into your day.
Thank you so much, Crystal.
Love the deer! There’s a section of the drive through our neighborhood where we have to be especially watchful for deer. Any time I’m on my motorcycle I keep up a running commentary: Stay away deer.
Thanks very much, Leslie 🙂
Very nice gallery, Derrick. Love those oaks, with or without fungus.
Thanks very much, Amanda
You are welcome.
What a beautiful day! That picture with the sunlight piercing the woodland….magical!
Thank you very much, Ribana
Hedge laying, fascinating stuff. Thanks for the insight.
Thanks very much, Lindsey
I love all of your horse pictures. Makes me jealous of your beautiful countryside.
Thanks very much, Pat