This morning Jackie drove me to New Hall hospital for a physiotherapy session with Claire. This was most encouraging.
We returned across the forest during a pleasantly overcast preprandial period.
For several miles along the Wiltshire verges in the vicinity of Hamptworth regular clumps of snowdrops have been planted for the delight of travellers.
Donkeys near the village of Newbridge tended to stray across the road;
ponies, for a change, had more sense, and kept to the undergrowth, except when they made a beeline for my open window.
The soggy turf at Penn Marsh was shared by grazing ponies and cattle.
Nearby, field horses were treated to hay for which they had no need to forage. One wears a rug.
Across the border into Hampshire and along Cadnam Lane a flock of sheep, one large, and several miniature ponies shared the pasturage.
Another group of pampered equines enjoyed a heap of hay on the road to Bramshaw.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s classic cottage pie, crisp cauliflower, and tender runner beans.