Early in the day I watched Channel 4’s transmission of the enthralling second day’s play in the Test Match between India and England.
The forest was still overcast when, this afternoon, we set off for a drive.
Lanes like Bockhampton Road were quite clarty. Beside this one
a whiteness of swans occupying a field attracted my attention as, their serpentine necks sinuously swaying, they foraged in the grass and reflected in one small pool.
The next pale reflector paddled in weed soup in a seasonal pool during a sunny interval at Ibsley. When she became aware of my circling her spot, she emerged from the water and joined
her cousins on the green. I exchanged greetings with the dog walkers as they drew near.
Glowing golden gorse enlivened the landscape below Abbots Well. The second of these images containing another dog walker employing an extending lead shows the difference in light created by a sunny interval. Only the distant slopes are lit; those nearer are overshadowed by cloud.
This evening we dined on tasty smoked haddock; piquant cauliflower cheese; creamy mashed potatoes; crunchy carrots and broccoli, with which we both drank Western Cape Sauvignon Blanc 2020.
are dogs still at risk of that nasty disease – Alabama Rot? – in the Forest? I’d understand why the long lead
I’d never heard of that dog’s disease. Thanks a lot, Geoff
My cousins who live in Barton and Christchurch stopped walking their dogs on the Forest because of it and only walk along the cliffs. I wonder how many visitors know of it?
None, I’d say. Jackie thinks we should publicise it 🙂
It has to be worth mentioning if you see people with their dogs off the lead. It’s a complete killer, no cure or treatment I understand.
Thanks
Beautiful photos and descriptive prose. I like ” a whiteness of swans.” 😀 The pony with reflections is beautiful, as is the gorse.
You’ll be happy to hear my husband and I both got our first shots today–different places and vaccines due to the weirdness of scheduling systems.
I certainly am pleased. Thanks very much, Merril
Hurray!
🙂
😀
Still so muddy! Lovely photos as always.
Thanks a lot, Sheree.
A delightful outing. Glad you are enjoying some Cape wine 🙂 🙂 🙂
🙂 Thanks very much, Anne. Good stuff. I hope you will be able to have some again soon.
“clarty” Love the word. I had to look it up to be sure of the meaning. 🙂 So may swans in one place. Beautiful photos as usual.
Thank you very much, Chrissy. I’m pleased you liked it
Glowing golden gorse: serpentine necks sinuously swaying: a terrific treat for admirers of alliteration again today….and some good pictures too.
Thanks very much, Tootlepedal
Majestic white swans, and a handsome white horse, make for beautiful photos today Derrick…
Thanks very much, Ivor
Lovely photos today, Derrick. Of course, I love the swans! I’m happy there were no dogs chasing them away.
Thanks very much, Jill. leashes were in evidence today
I particularly like the swan series. I don’t think I’ve ever seen them on grass.
We wondered what they were doing there, Liz. Thank you very much
You’re welcome, Derrick. I’m sure they had their reasons. 🙂
🙂
You’ve excelled yourself with those shots of the paddling ponies, Derrick; you could sell those as prints in Lyndhurst. I thought ‘clarty’ was a northern expression? – it certainly wasn’t in the soft south when I was there. Thin end of the wedge…
Thanks a lot, Mike. My maternal grandparents were one from Lancashire and one from Yorkshire 🙂
Proof that mixed marriages work!
🙂
Some people pick flowers; I pick up words. ‘Clarty’ was a new one for me. I’m not even sure what our version would be. ‘Muddy’ isn’t nearly so interesting! I remember reading about gorse, but these photos of it are marvelous. Yellow certainly is a spring-like color.
Thank you so much, Linda. I’m pleased you like clarty – WP should accept that it is not clarity 🙂
They’ve spotted something interesting in the next to the last dog walking landscape. I enjoyed the swan reflections, white pony and gorse.
`thanks very much, JoAnna
Apart from the beautiful pictures of the swan and the hide and seek pictures of clouds, the ‘clarity’ road enriched me with fresh vocabulary. The dog is on a very long leash!
Thanks very much, Uma, for these thorough comments
That trip out really allowed me to breathe with you.
That is lovely, Gary. Thanks very much
I know I sound like a broken record, but you live in such a beautiful place.
We certainly have everything, Laurie. Thanks very much.
I enjoyed all these beautiful photos of swans, ponies and countryside! I still marvel at horses and ponies and their seaweed soup. Never saw this before, and I had a horse and pony growing up. Gorse is a lovely thing to see!
Thank you so much, Lavinia
Oh, I love the paddling pony!
Thanks very much, Sue
Always good to see the sun….even if it’s playing “hide’n’seek”! 🙂
Looks like the pools and puddles are fav spaces! 🙂 Love the swan AND pony reflections!
Love seeing the doggies always…and so glad when they are on leashes. Just safer for everyone one around… “man and beast”. 🙂 But, wowza, that be a long leash. Coop’s is much shorter.
(((HUGS))) Happy Whee-kend!!! 🙂
I like the hide and seek quip, Carolyn. Thanks very much, X
The heathland behind the young woman with the extending lead is absolutely lovely. There should be a lot of reptiles there in the summer, they love such dry, sandy conditions.
Thanks very much, John. It is quite a view
Those swans look beautiful! Wonderfully penned descriptions too!
Thanks very much, D
A wonderful gallery as usual.
You will be out earlier today Derrick after the Test Match shambles.
🙂 Thanks a lot, Andrew
Everyone, including the ponies and dogs look at peace today. How pleasant!
Thanks very much, GP
Love the swan pictures.
Thanks very much, Mrs W
Your welcome.
another lovely gallery for us today, Derrick! love the swans and your header photo is simply gorgeous! thank you 🙂
Thanks very much too you as well, Lola
I like the color palette this time of year. It’s underrated–the shades of gold, brown, gray. I feel it’s a sign of hope and anticipation.
I agree, Cindy. Thanks very much
Lovely pictures of the swans. I really appreciated them. Also liked the pictures of the ponies. What a fine day you had apparently. I noted that the pictures do not make you feel that it is overcast in the areas where you took the photographs.
Thank you very much, Geetha. I tried for the sunny spots 🙂
Beautiful swans and beautiful countryside. Thank you, Derrick.
It is the first time I see swans on land, rather than on water, thanks to your photos, Derrick.
Thank you very much, Dolly. They were a surprise.
My pleasure, Derrick.
Creamy mashed potatoes sounds delicious 😋
I don’t know How Jackie gets it so smooth by hand. Thanks very much, Lakshmi
All the critters and folks out and about–a delightful time out, it seems! Enjoyed the landscape shots at the end. 🙂
Thanks very much, Cynthia 🙂
Look at all those swans! Beautiful!
Thanks very much, Ribana