Today was forecast to be another of sunshine and showers, so we drove out early for a brunch at Hockey’s Farm Shop. In the event, although rain threatened on the way out
through Walkford,
along Ringwood Road,
along flooded and reflecting Gorley Road where skies were blue, and maple leaves sunlit;
and on our post prandial return along Roger Penny Way,
Lyndhurst Road,
and from sun-tipped clouds above Lyndhurst we felt none, although leaves swirled about like golden showers and acorns and other mast clattered upon the car roof.
The clear water at Ibsley Ford sped under and over the bridge,
offering vehicle drivers the opportunity for a free car wash, while
a sunny interval dappled the nearby woodland.
Gleeful Gloucester Old Spots at North Gorley, joined on the road by a friendly equestrienne, rejoiced in collecting much of the earlier mentioned mast in the continuing pannage season.
After enjoying her Laura’s favourite meal Jackie satisfied herself with photographing the cakes and hollyhocks at Hockeys, before visiting the aviary and focussing on some of the residents, namely
a zebra finch, a cockatiel, several diamond doves, and three cuddly budgerigars.
Needless to say, I didn’t manage to finish reading Priestley, but I did cover a lot more.
This evening we all dined on Jackie’s succulent, well filled beef and onion pie beneath firm short crust pastry; crisp roast potatoes; carrots, cauliflower, broccoli and Brussels sprouts, well timed to arrive al dente together, and meaty gravy with which the Culinary Queen drank Peroni and I drank Chilean Reserva Privada Malbec 2022.