Jackie and I went for a drive in the forest this morning, while Elizabeth took it easy at home. Once again we were fortunate to have ventured out during the short spell of sunshine we were to experience today.
Even as noon approached shadows were long on the approach to Wilverley Plain.
The deciduous oaks still bear most of their golden foliage,
some of which, having floated down on the breeze. glowed among damp grasses rapidly
becoming waterlogged in parts, reflecting surrounding trees and skies.
The large pond beside the telephone box just outside Brockenhurst has been bone dry all summer. It has now filled up again, mirroring gnarled naked arboreal displays and nearby homes.
Three russet ponies kept down the grass near the local postbox propped up by a slightly slanting pedestal.
The two apparently sharing a patch of sward were not as close as it might appear. The darker haired individual, which momentarily lifted its head as I lifted my camera,
firmly nudged the other with its albeit velvety muzzle, indicating it should keep its distance. This was definitely not foreplay.
Having worked up a thirst they crossed the gravel drive to the houses, passed the telephone box, and fleetingly slaked their thirst.
Quite suddenly they turned away and wandered back into the forest.
At the entrance to the village we were held up by teaching staff shepherding a crocodile of children across the road.
We enjoyed an excellent lunch at Holmsley Old Station Tea Rooms. My meal consisted of a well-filled steak and ale pie containing slivers of rosemary, served with chips, fresh vegetables and tasty gravy; Jackie’s was a jacket potato with cheese and coleslaw accompanied by an excellent salad. She drank coffee and I drank sparkling water.
We thought it best to wait for an equestrienne struggling to contain a skittish trotting pony, mane flying, to emerge from Thatchers Lane before we entered that narrow track on our way home.
Later this afternoon Elizabeth returned to Pilley for further work on moving in. On her way back this evening she collected our dinner of cod and chips from Mr Pink’s. My sister and I finished the Cotes du Rhone and Jackie drank Hoegaarden.