My sitting room chair looks out onto the front garden where the
Amanogawa cherry is now blooming, while
the winter flowering cherry lingers on.
After shopping for compost and comestibles at Ferndene Farm Shop we continued on a forest drive.
The streaky pink and indigo pastel tinged clouds enhanced the moorland landscapes alongside Holmsley Passage
where several ponies enjoyed a morning rest.
Others, along Bisterne Close, one of which stretched to reach holly leaves, bore bare patches on their thick winter coats.
Prolific camellias along the route still carry a profusion of blooms,
while tree fungi like this decorating a small log remain comparatively rare this year.
This afternoon I read more of ‘Richard III’.
Our dinner this evening consisted of Jackie’s cottage pie; parsnips, carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts, with which I drank Hacienda Don Hernán Rioja 2022.
Jackie drove me to Birchfield Dental Practice for a mid-day hygienist appointment which went smoothly.
We then lunched at Camellia’s Restaurant at Everton Nursery and continued on a forest drive.
The North Easterly wind ensured that despite the complete grey cloud cover the temperature was considerably colder than normal so close to the Spring equinox.
Maybe that is why there were less pheasants than usual trotting along the side tracks and verges of Sowley Lane.
A bay pony shared a pool along St. Leonard’s Road with a skittish
wagtail, while another mare chose to investigate me;
others preferred to disrupt the traffic, while
woodsmoke drifted into our nostrils.
A donkey and foal rested above Hatchet Pond,
above which black headed gulls emulated Exocet missiles.
Jackie photographed perched cormorants
and preening swans,
one hiding on her nest – can you spot the mallard?
This evening we dined on smoked haddock cheddar and leek centred fish cakes, cauliflower cheese, boiled new potatoes, carrots, and spinach with which I finished the Vega Spanish red wine.
While I constantly reminded myself that this is only the second day since my BCG vaccine instillation, my Chauffeuse took me for a forest drive on which I did not leave the car, but managed to focus through the passenger window.
Possibly consequent upon the government’s push for more housebuilding there are a number of building sites operating in and
around Hordle before reaching the protected National Park of the New Forest.
An indication of what this means to the neighbourhood is shown on
the yarn bombing of the post box outside the eponymous cottage in Wootton Road.
Ponies grazed alongside Holmsley Passage, where a few days ago we had witnessed
controlled burning of the gorse seen here on one side of the
flowering flank.
Belted Galloways stood out like piano keys in the landscape among cattle wandering beside Forest Road.
One of the ponies along Crow Lane faced us head on before passing my window.
The myriad of winterbourne pools we have at the moment are havens of temporary accommodation for pairs of mallards and for paddling ponies slaking their thirst.
Most verges today contained ponies scratching, observing, wandering, or sleeping standing up.
This evening we dined on Mr Pink’s fish and chips, Garner’s pickled onions, and Mrs Elwood’s sandwich gherkins, with which I finished the Shiraz.
Once, late this morning, our overnight storm had subsided the sun and recent raindrops set the garden sparkling and reflecting.
These photographs were produced from inside and, except for the window panes, from above. All are named in the gallery.
This afternoon I made a good start on reading ‘The Leopard’.
We were enjoying late afternoon sunshine, so took a forest drive.
Cattle hogged the road at East Boldre,
where the low sun glowed gold,
and ponies grazed on the verge.
Sunset sheltered behind pines at Hatchet Pond.
The moorland and the tarmac bore much of our overnight rain, especially from the burst banks of Lymington River. One of the consequences of the number of potholes is that they cannot be seen when filled with water.
This young woman was more amused than hurt by her fall which must have been caused by such a sudden depth.
Here are my images of the flooded fields,
and cars spraying through the tarmac;
and here are Jackie’s of the fields.
This evening we dined on baked gammon; ratatouille; cauliflower cheese; sautéed cabbage, leeks, and red onions; carrots and broccoli, with which I finished the Côtes du Rhône Villages
A tiny screw had escaped from my specs, meaning that I kept losing a lens. We took it to Boots Opticians in New Milton this morning. After a brief wait the problem was nailed. While we were in the small town which has a plethora of cheap eating houses, we stayed for brunch at The Garden Café.
This afternoon I accompanied Jackie on a visit to Ferndene Farm Shop to buy mushrooms for tonight’s dinner, and we continued on a forest drive.
The view of snowdrops along Beckley Road was blemished by the presence of crushed drink cans, so I looked skywards to bare
branches brightened by the emerging sun.
A pair of mallards now rivalled ponies for occupation of the winterbourne pool at the high point of Pound Lane. While the horses slurped their soup the ducks dived in search of sustenance.
Further down the road we glimpsed a pair of greys foraging in the darkened woodland.
On the road into Burley, her own pony tail swaying with that of her steed, and sporting a jacket bearing the legend TEAM HONG KONG CHINA, we fell in behind a young rider who let us know she was turning off and thanked us for our patience.
Controlled burning of gorse was under way on the moorland alongside Holmsley Passage.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s spicy merguez sausage casserole; boiled potatoes; crunchy carrots; firm cauliflower and its chopped up leaves, with which I drank more of the Shiraz.
Early on this cold-bright morning, in readiness for a forest drive, Jackie scraped ice off the car windscreen through which
figures along the Milford-on-Sea promenade were silhouetted against the sky above the Isle of Wight.
Alongside Pilley’s Bull Hill cattle occupied the moorland
where, on the road to Beaulieu, sheet ice cracked its waterlogged surface.
Black-hued moorhens sought sustenance on one bank of Little
Hatchet Pond, while a white, reflected, egret waited, poised to dive from the other;
as I prepared to picture three cormorants engaged in similar activity on the main branch of the lake, one flew off.
As Jackie said “then there were two”.
Ponies wandered among the burnt gorse at East Boldre, where mossy
branches were reflected in another winterbourne pool.
This afternoon I watched the Six Nations rugby match between Scotland and Ireland.
Dinner this evening consisted of Jackie’s delicious chicken and vegetable stewp and fresh crusty bread, with which I drank Château Les Fermenteaux Bordeaux 2021.
Late this morning Jackie drove us to The Potting Shed café at Hyde for an excellent brunch.
Over the years we have been in The New Forest this café has undergone several changes of name and management; the current partners have completely turned it around.
For my very first time I have simply copied these extracts from their own website. I could not have expressed them better:
About The Establishment
“Welcome to the Potting Shed! We are so glad that you are considering stopping by, we strive to make each visit truly enjoyable, from the moment you walk through the door to the time you leave.
“We offer a true Forest Café experience with a cosy atmosphere and homemade food all sourced locally. Our menu is inspired by flavours of the season so you will find a varied choice, including firm family favourites and daily specials. Surrounded by the beauty that is the New Forest with the fantastic Donkeys, Ponies and Deer there is much to do nearby including scenic walks, cycling and a water park. There is something for everyone from the idyllic lazy-day stroll through to those seeking a little more adventure.
“We would love to see you and make your visit unforgettable. So come on, join us and let us spoil you.
Explore the New Forest
“Nestled in the heart of the breathtaking New Forest National Park. Our café is the perfect starting point for your next adventure, offering a warm and cosy atmosphere where you can fuel up before exploring the park’s stunning natural beauty. We’re passionate about the New Forest and its surroundings, and we’re proud to call this magical place our home. Our café is a reflection of our love for the park, and we’re excited to share its wonders with you. At our café, we believe that the New Forest is a true national treasure, and we’re thrilled to be a part of this special community. Come and see for yourself why our café is the perfect spot to explore this natural wonderland, whether you are looking for a quaint tea-room for a traditional afternoon tea in the New Forest or something more to prepare you for a hike across the heath.
“Here at the Potting Shed, we are passionate about growing our own veg, it might not look like the poster carrot, but it does taste so much better. We have spent hours growing our veg and herbaceous plants and we are so proud to be able to sell these direct to you from our café and in our food.
Locally Sourced
“Everything we do is for the community we know and love. Whether it is serving the friendly faces we have grown to recognise or using the produce around us. Ultimately, we believe that local is best. Fewer air miles, more heart and 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Homemade
There’s no place like home and, here at The Potting Shed, we firmly believe that a meal out should be a home from home for you. However, we want to do it better. We pride ourselves on being feeders and feeding people on only the best produce, cooked with love, by us, fresh for you.”
The warmth and pleasure expressed above are well matched by the attentive and careful service, as is the quality of the food.
I thoroughly enjoyed my The Full Works breakfast, while Jackie did the same with her Mini version.
Once I had cleared a little space on mine, revealing items at first
covered by the bacon, I photographed it again so further ingredients could be seen – note the tasty pork and leek sausage, black pudding, and hash brown. I had eaten the other half of tomato.
Whilst there is a cattle grid outside preventing direct access from the
donkeys that can usually be encountered around the corner, drivers do sometimes meet them on the way in.
Now for the drive:
The verges and fields were dotted with numerous catkins and
snowdrops, while ponies similarly stippled Blissford Hill.
As I disembarked to photograph alpacas in the Godshill farm they trooped off to collect their dinner.
Ponies, ignoring the fact that the bright sunshine belied the cold weather, soaked up what warmth they could on the Woodgreen common.
From Woodgreen through Hale Purlieu stretches a long straight road with ancient hedgerows. The mossy tree-roots must have witnessed generations of the joggers we often see on their runs, like the two we met today.
Ponies basked in the open woodland opposite the high banks.
The residents of Lover have cooperated with enthusiasm to celebrate the upcoming Valentine’s Day. This small gallery is mine,
supplementing Jackie’s longer one.
The thatcher of this cottage roof has, with the addition of colour, taken the traditional straw animals to a completely new level.
This evening we dined on Ferndene pork and apple sausages, boiled potatoes, parsnips, cauliflower, carrots, broccoli, spinach and gravy, with which I drank more of the Douro
Once storm Hermione eased off this afternoon, we took an optimistic forest drive.
Broody skies and damp, pool-laden landscape meant that we saw no
sign of wildlife except a few damp ponies on the outskirts of Burley.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s most tasty liver and bacon casserole; boiled potatoes; crunchy carrots; and firm Brussels sprouts, with which I drank Valle de Eco Malbec 2024.
This afternoon, taking advantage of a temporary cessation of the heavy winds due to return tonight, we took a drive to the North of the forest.
We couldn’t be sure about the theme of the latest yarn decorations on the Tiptoe Post Box, but the heart on the chest might indicate the upcoming Valentine’s Day.
As we approached Rockford Sandpit we needed to avoid a bale of hay which had clearly fallen off a farmer’s load and now occupied the middle of the road. When we returned an hour or so later it had been moved onto the verge and two forest ponies, their feet on the tarmac,
were chomping away and causing chaos to passing vehicles, one of
which was driven by Debbie Riley, who, perhaps because she works with horses, brought common sense to the situation.
As I said to her, even if I had thought of what she did I could not have managed it, because I would have lost my balance and fallen over.
Aware of the possibility of being bitten, Debbie lifted the bale, no mean feat in itself, carried it across the road and through the trees to the bank of the stream. Fortunately the strap was still attached. This meant that the ponies, their numbers certain to have been increased, could have continued their consumption, being safe in the darkness of the unlighted road.
These first two watched Debbie carry away their spoils,
hoovered up scraps, and wandered off, simply accepting that their find had been removed. We had both expected them to follow, but they didn’t.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s tasty pork casserole; boiled new potatoes, moist spinach; crunchy carrots; firm Brussels sprouts; and tender green beans with which she drank Diet Coke and I drank Viña Albali Gran Reserva 2017.
On a warmer yet overcast afternoon we took a forest drive.
Donkeys claimed the road at Cadnam;
ponies gathered at Bramshaw;
on Penn Common cattle, still and silent, lined up listening to sweet early Spring birdsong.
En route to Nomansland bits of blown tree neatly fell into place across the road.
Later, I continued reading ‘The Brontës’ until, This evening we dined on basa fish cakes, cauliflower cheese, boiled potatoes, carrots, and peas, with which Jackie drank Diet Coke and I finished the Fleurie.
