guinea fowl – derrickjknight

How Many Balls?

On this overcast, imperceptibly drizzly morning I made a good start on reading Jane Eyre for the second time after all but 60 years.

After lunch the sun came out to play with the pink climbers and white solanum on the front garden trellis, as Jackie drove us to Nomansland and back.

Donkeys made a nuisance of themselves on the road at Bramshaw.

A trio of guinea fowl were engaged in their customary pecking up ticks at Nomansland,

while an enforced hiatus in the cricket match in progress was brought about by an injury to a player who received a ball on the forehead. One of the players in the second picture appears to be indicating the point of contact.

The last three pictures in this gallery of the action are Jackie’s. The rest are mine. Those feeling so inclined may count how many balls are in the air in my set. Enlargement in the gallery may be helpful.

The first picture featuring spectators is mine, the other three, by Jackie,

who also photographed scenes in and around the soggy pool, where,

as we were leaving, a pony and her very young foal were to drink. The first five are my pictures, the next five, Jackie’s.

This evening we dined on meaty pork spare ribs; tender green beans; and Jackie’s colourful savoury rice and moist ratatouille.

Cadnam Common Canter

Early this morning I photographed garden views from above,

then wandered around at ground level photographing camellias, daffodils, comfrey, lamium, hyacinths and other views.

Afterwards Jackie and I took a drive into the forest.

As we entered Cadnam Common we noticed an equestrian crossing the road in front of us.

Jackie drove on and photographed what we think is a mule (the offspring of a male donkey and female horse) and its pony dam. Note the donkey head and long horse tail of the smaller animal.

Meanwhile, I focussed on ponies in the landscape, until

riding towards us approached the rider seen earlier. I told him that I was pleased he had come this way. “Why”, he asked and a pleasant conversation ensued between me and Christian, who also greeted Jackie in the car.

Christian takes part in the annual roundups known as The Drift, and has a mare at Boldre due to foal in May. I am invited to both events.

My new friend asked me to photograph his horse cantering towards me. I did so.

Upon studying the photos, as pictured by Jackie, he wasn’t happy with his tight grip on the reins,

so we did it all again.

It seems that for some, such as these Oxford Sandy and Black, and Saddleback pigs pannage has been extended. One of the spotted variety tolerated its attendant crow, while the other eagerly sploshed in the rather waterlogged verge.

At Brook, watched by an inquisitive rhea peeking through a hedge,

I focussed on a clamorous confusion of guinea fowl.

This evening Jackie produced tender roast lamb, crisp roast potatoes, crunchy carrots, cauliflower and broccoli, and brassica in the form of cauliflower leaves, with which she drank Hoegaarden and I drank more of the Nero di Troia.

Pecking Up Ticks

This morning I exchanged e-mails with Ivor in Geelong, with whom I am collaborating on his next poetry anthology, see https://ivors20.wordpress.com/2022/08/04/yorkie-against-the-undertow-2/

This afternoon Jackie drove us all to Helen and Bill’s at Fordingbridge where we enjoyed introducing Dillon to his aunt by marriage, and a little later to John who had called in on his mother.

Later we dined at The Lamb Inn in Nomansland.

As Dillon explained, a trio of Guinea Fowl were occupied in clearing ticks from the green in front of the pub.

In the pub garden Jackie and Flo chose well-filled burgers, chips, and slaw for their main meal, followed by Eton mess and Brownie with ice cream respectively; Dillon and I both selected succulent steak and ale pie with very flavoursome carrots and cauliflower, and tender garden peas. Jackie and Dillon both drank Inch’s medium cider, Flo drank J2O, and I drank Doom Bar.

The sun was setting as we left for home.

A Turning Circle

Yesterday evening, the first of the new Covid lockdown relaxations, we dined alfresco at the Lamb Inn in Nomansland.

Outside the pub John, the owner of a coach and horses, and his friends had stopped for refreshment. Our timing was perfect. We may have been somewhat early for our booking, but, had that not been the case we would have missed a treat,

and I would not have had this photo opportunity.

This remarkably disciplined team, at the quietest commands from their driver, executed a perfect turning circle and trotted off round the bend in the direction of Landford.

Jackie also photographed the scene outside the pub, the departure of the team;

and ponies on the green;

as did I, with the war memorial in the top right hand corner.

As we were early we drove to Fritham to watch the clouds breaking up over the landscape.

By the time we were seated the sun was in full view, and the temperature 10C, which is the warmest it has been for several days.

Jackie enjoyed focussing on the hanging baskets, cherry blossom, magnolia, hand sanitiser, the invitation to use the patio door for toilets;

and of course our choices of meal, of which hers was extremely good chicken madras, accompanied by flavoursome rice, mint yoghurt, and mango chutney. I am averse to pub curries because I don’t expect them to taste like the real thing. I could tell from the aromas that I was wrong about this one, which was as good as my Culinary Queen said it was. My well filled steak and ale pie, chips, and peas were equally good. We both chose choice ice cream sundae for dessert. I drank Doom Bar and Jackie drank Carlsberg. As will be seen by all my undone buttons I did not need the layers with which I had come prepared.

On our return home through Bramshaw we needed to wait for a peacock to leave the tarmac and wander across the green in the direction of a confusion of Guinea fowl. Nearby a leather-lipped pony chomped on blackthorn.

We reached Hordle Lane in time to watch the sun subside in the west.

Elizabeth joined us for dinner this evening, which consisted of Jackie’s scrumptious cottage pie with a cheese topping; crunchy carrots; tender cabbage; firm cauliflower, and meaty gravy. Mrs Knight drank Hoegaarden and my sister and I drank Mendoza Malbec 2019.

Witchcraft With Acorns

The light today was gloomy and the slate-grey overhead colander-canopy constantly leaked drizzle.

Jackie reported that this morning while Muggle tweeted in her ear she realised that there was another exchange of battle cries between

Nugget and someone else who occupied the garden of No 5 Downton Lane. There are now three robins setting out their territory. Later, when Jackie tried to engage Nugget in conversation while he was perched on the rose garden fence, he turned his back on her. “Aren’t you talking to me?”, she asked. He peered over his shoulder, fixed her witheringly, and turned away again.

“Where’s Nugget?” (41).

Given the date, we thought a trip to Burley, the village of witches, might be order.

In Everton Road the New Zealand flag fluttered limply at half mast. This was clearly in mourning for the All Blacks’ defeat by England last Saturday in the Rugby World Cup Semi Final. The New Zealanders have been the acknowledged best team in the world throughout my lifetime. Three times world champions, they had not lost any match in the tournament for twelve years.

Nearby a cross-eyed pumpkin face sat on a wall.

Despite the dismal drizzle Holmsley Passage managed to put on a bright face,

even though someone had dumped a sofa on the verge.

Jackie photographed me as I wandered along for a while.

Landscapes on the moorland section were misted by dripping precipitation.

At Burley a pair of guinea fowl created their own mix of havoc, amusement, and trepidation, as they wandered back and forth across the through road.

One young lady crouching with her mobile phone graphically expressed her concern as they stepped off the kerb;

two young cyclists seemed a bit bemused.

While I concentrated on these two, Jackie observed a chicken eating an ice cream.

Shop windows venerated the season;

we both pictured The Mall,

guarded by a pumpkin witch.

All the little shops in this small street sported suitable adornments.

Jackie entered a gift shop in search of stocking fillers. She emerged with two owls, which, if Orlaith got her sums right, makes the current garden total 93.

This evening we dined at The Wheel at Bowling Green. Jackie enjoyed tempura prawn starters followed by a rack of ribs, fries, onion rings, and plentiful fresh salad; my choice was equally good breaded whitebait, salad and toast followed by rib-eye steak, chips, mushroom, tomato, and peas. Mrs Knight drank Kaltenberg and I drank Malbec.

I Taut I Taw A Puddy Tat

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Early this morning, Ross visited briefly to help Richard move the furniture back to the far end of the kitchen. Richard then set about building the bespoke cabinets and work surfaces. These had all been designed and cut to size in the craftman’s workshop. Clamps were applied to the sections; screws selected from the relevant boxes; the drill and spirit level employed;

and further refining cuts made with the chop saw, equipped with its own laser beam.

At lunchtime we left Richard to his work and visited Otter Nurseries café for lunch. My choice was ham, egg, and chips; Jackie’s was macaroni cheese, salad, and garlic bread.

We then took a trip through the forest. At Staplewood Lane

we experienced what must have been rerun of a 1950s cartoon. A paddle of ducks swam in a full ditch.

A scout, leading them across the road to Little Staplewood Farm, spotted a black and white cat advancing from a distance, and alerted its discombobulated followers

to turn back to the safety of the water, and cross the road when the coast was clear.

Sylvester, however, had sneaked into the farmyard and hidden under a Range Rover. He was not unnoticed by the guinea fowl, the geese, and other ducks who set up a vociferous alarm. One of the geese, in particular, was bent on saving Rome.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2Y-XlLcRMU&w=560&h=315]

Towards the end of the day, before Richard carried out his customary spotless clean and tidying, he paused with a coffee and discussed with Jackie this week’s progress and plans for the next. She looks quite pleased.

This evening we dined on tasty fresh chicken and egg salad. I also enjoyed an excellent ham and cheese sandwich.