Tag: defibrillator

Frisky Cattle, Somnolent Ponies

Hot, flyblown, weather has returned.This afternoon we took a short drive into the forest.

Cattle at East Boldre were surprisingly energetic in the humid heat. They travelled quickly across the moorland, interrupting their grazing with a mounting amount of head-butting.

More somnolent ponies took what shelter they could from the East Boldre bus hut. One prone grey looked as if it might be in need of the defibrillator now occupying the redundant telephone box.

The burning sun cast sharp shadows as the ponies clustered together

twitching tails as protection against

irritating insects.

Once I had returned to the car, this mare above chose to plant herself behind it. Slowly Jackie reversed to nudge her out of the way. The pony ambled round to the driver’s side and Jackie rapidly closed her window before the animal could make her objections known.

Later I listened to more of the Ashes Test match.

This evening Jackie and I joined Elizabeth and Jacqueline for dinner at The Fleur de Lys in Pilley. My starter consisted of crab and smoked mackerel; steak medallions formed the basis of my main course; treacle tart and ice cream was to follow. The service was excellent and the food as superb as ever. Elizabeth and I shared an excellent bottle of Malbec. I am past caring what anyone else consumed.

Readies; Reads; Resuscitation

CLICK ON THE INDIVIDUAL IMAGES TO ENLARGE. THE OTHERS ACCESS GALLERIES THAT CAN BE VIEWED FULL SIZE.

Over coffee this morning, we had reason to try to remember the name of a cafe in Milford on Sea. We now have two reference points for such information. Jackie favours the Google walk; my preference is this blog. This morning we had a race to find it. I won. It was Polly’s Pantry.

Ditch maintenance

At Wilverley, on our way through the forest today, regular ditch maintenance was under way.

Trees reflected 1
Trees reflected 2
Trees and gorse reflected 1
Trees reflected 3
Trees reflected 4

The forest pools and their reflections basked in sunshine,

Ponies 1
Ponies 2
Ponies 3
Pony 2

as did ponies amid the bracken. These somnolent creatures perked up to pose for their pictures.

Pony on Road 1

As we ascended the hill up to Nomansland, a lethargic pony occupied the middle of the road.

Pony on Road 2

It took its own leisurely time in crossing to the other side.

The countryside is littered with obsolete, often derelict, iconic red telephone boxes. Apparently, when BT wish to decommission a phone box they must obtain a “No Objection” statement from the local District Council. According to Milford on Sea ‘Village Voice’ magazine for February/March 2017, one has been obtained for the structure on the Village Green. The periodical’s article says that “The Parish Council has applied to BT to adopt the box and is waiting to hear if this has been successful. The box could then be hired by local groups for displays, exhibitions, pop-up shops and other ventures on a monthly basis. If you have an idea about how best the kiosk can be utilised, let the Parish Council know!”.

Today we visited some of those within our vicinity.

Telephone box cash machine 1
Telephone box cash machine 2
Telephone Box cash machine 3

At Pennington, one has been adapted as a cash machine. The telephone on one side of the box doesn’t work.

Telephone Box book exchange 1
Telephone Box book exchange 2
Telephone Box book exchange 3

Book exchanges are popular. We spotted these at Fritham,

Telephone Box book exchange 4
Telephone Box book exchange 5

at Bramshaw,

Telephone Box book exchange 6
Telephone Box book exchange 7

and at Minstead Newtown.

Telephone box disconnected 1
Telephone box disconnected 2

That opposite ‘The Trusty Servant’ in Minstead itself has simply been disconnected.

Telephone box defibrillator 1
Telephone box defibrillator 3
Telephone box defibrillator 2

Perhaps the most innovative conversion is the defibrillator at Nomansland.

On our way home we indulged ourselves in a late lunch at Holmesley Old station tea rooms, and very good it was too. My choice was steak and mushroom pie with tasty gravy, perfectly cooked carrots, cabbage, chips and peas. Jackie’s was a whopping  jacket potato containing cheese and coleslaw served with plentiful salad. She drank coffee and I drank sparkling water. Later sustenance this evening was surplus to requirements.