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This morning turned out to be rather longer than planned and required a little more energy than anticipated to be expended. We began with a trip to New Milton for shopping, including a new watch strap for me. We then returned home to collect two large bags of garden refuse for the dump.
It was to be quite fortuitous that we had the bags on board when we set off into the forest from the Efford Recycling Centre.
Egrets were fishing on Lymington River,
where the usual boats were moored.
A long hoarding has been in situ around Threeways in Pilley for quite a number of years has at some time served as an art gallery. Paintings by a variety of artists remain in situ.
Ponies, in return for the freedom of the village, keep the grass in front of the houses cropped short.
There were many ponies in evidence at the road junction at St Leonard’s Road, East End. We weren’t going to get past them, so just watched this grey
leave its post on the centre line, turn,
and, passing a companion at the swampy corner, cross
the road towards East Boldre, leaving another chestnut to take over traffic control duties.
The pony standing in the pool
liked a drink with its grass, which took its mind of the fly on its nose.
Another grey advanced on me, no doubt seeking goodies, in which it was to be disappointed.
Travelling on, we hadn’t covered many metres of St Leonard’s Road before our road was blocked again.
Pheasants, both male
and female, skittered backwards and forwards into the hedgerows,
except on Tanner’s Lane, where they gathered in a bouquet.
Sunlight sparkled on the water between the mainland and
the Isle of Wight.
Hello. What was this on the shingle beach?
It was Emma’s car, a Twingo.
Watched by her mother, Paula, and two other young ladies attempting to offer advice, guidance, and assistance, the driver had, with her mother and dog, set out for a walk which had to be abandoned. It became immediately necessary to free the vehicle. But how?
The car’s wheels just span on the loose pebbles as Emma vainly tried to climb over them. I helped guide her onto a firmer section, but this involved first having to reverse further down towards the waterline, turning, driving at an angle to the foreground of this picture, then reversing as close to the corner post as possible. Despite her fears, the young lady kept her cool, and almost made it. Several times.
It was then that I remembered the orange bags. By this time Jackie had joined us, so she fetched them. We placed them on gravel behind the wheels. It was still difficult. We then roped Jackie’s hessian supermarket bags into service so we had all four wheels covered.
Still no joy, until we were joined by another gentleman with rather more knowledge, especially about being very very gentle on the accelerator. Emma turned left at the point in the picture above, and reversed slowly towards the corner. With all hands on the bonnet; backs, thighs and knees straining, we tried again. We had lift off. Emma just avoided reversing into a hedge. We all gave each other hearty hugs, and Jackie and I drove home for a late lunch.
This evening we dined on Hordle Chinese Take Away fare. And very good it was too. Jackie drank Hoegaarden and I finished the malbec.
