The best light of the day was forecast to be seen this morning. And so it proved.
Fairly early on we drove to Tesco’s for petrol; to New Milton Post Office for currency exchange and Christmas stamps; and to Brockenhurst, where, in common with New Milton,
poppies ahead of Armistice Day adorn the lampposts, before making our leisurely way to Hockeys farm shop for lunch.
Our first pause was at Wilverley where a pair of pensive ponies beside the road from Wootton paid no attention to two walkers on the opposite side –
they were more interested in their necking session.
Meanwhile a friendly horse rider emerged from the
autumn landscape,
more of which was seen in the forest scenes on either side of
Roger Penny Way.
Jackie decided that I blended in rather well with the environment.
Having, tentatively as always, in second gear, scaled Blissford Hill we encountered a shaggy calf using a scratching post beside Hyde Parish Hall.
Coming across a band of bulls further along the road I speculated about which one may be the father.
Somehow it didn’t seem politic to enquire too closely into the infant’s parentage.
This evening we dined on spicy pizza and plentiful fresh salad with which I finished the Merlot and Jackie didn’t.