This morning the skies were overcast and the temperature cooler.
After a Tesco shopping trip Jacki and I drove into the forest.
The small lake on Clay Hill, although still bearing reflections was drying , its crumbling banks
dotted with brambles, wild rose hips, and heather,
that Jackie photographed in close-up.
Bracken was beginning to brown; roots were exposed beneath the trees; acorns now dropping presaged the start of pannage; further up the hill more heather purpled the moorland up which a winding road ascended.
Although not yet completely devoid of flies ponies along Bisterne Close had emerged from the depths of the woodland which had been their recent refuge,
Friendly cyclists appreciated Jackie’s allowing them to pass in safety as she tucked the Modus into the verge.
After lunch warm sunshine returned to tempt out a slithering grass snake which Jackie made a good attempt at photographing before it slipped through a crack to safety.
This evening we all dined on Ashley fish, chips, mushy peas and curry sauce; Mrs Elswood’s sandwich gherkins; and Garner’s pickled onions, with which I finished the GSM and no-one else drank.