In memory of Val

On our walk this morning we saw a rainbow in the sky, it did not last long ,but before it faded away I did manage to capture it, and I dedicate it to my cousin Val who sadly died from Cancer on Monday. Val and I were only a few months apart in age and spent many times together as children, staying at each others houses. The end came far to quickly and right now I feel so sad .

The words below come from the Hymn Oh Love That Will Not Let Me Go by George Matheson.

O Joy that seekest me through pain,
I cannot close my heart to thee;
I trace the rainbow through the rain,
And feel the promise is not vain,
That morn shall tearless be.

A Lot of Rain.

Mid morning the rain stopped for a while, and we decided to go down to the lower test nature reserve for an hour or so.The footpath follows the line of pylons, so we did not get very far!
We walked down the road to see if we could get over the bridge but again we did not get very far! You can just see the bridge in the distance but the water was to deep to wade through.

We decided to go up to Testwood lakes and find the hide up there, but alas the footpath was being repaired and was closed. Unfortunately we walked for about 20 mins until we found way was barred and so we had to retrace our footsteps. Why they couldn't have put a sign in the car park I don't know! There were plenty of gulls about and a pair of swans on one of the lakes so we did get some photos before the rain started again.

Its been a Long Week

I haven't felt like blogging this last week, and I am afraid although I have kept up with the news on other blogs I haven't left any comments. The odd break from blogging doesn't do any harm !

The weather has not been that good for taking photos and Missy is in season and so cannot run free . We did have a long walk this morning at Millyford and managed to get home before it started to pour with rain.
Hopefully the sun will shine soon and I will get some photos and feel like bloggging again.

A Cold Walk and a Visit to Hatchetts Pond

It was a dull grey morning with a bitterly cold wind. We walked the dogs at Pigbush before driving on to Hatchetts Pond. We were a little surprised to see three swans there , two adults and a juvenile who seemed to be much larger than either of the adults. Across the pair a pair of cormorants were perching on the posts and just as we drove away we caught sight of a pair of crested grebes.

Its cold enough for glovs Mum

The Curious Ponies approach the swans

And this one gets a telling off!

Juvenile swan

Pony

The last Walk of 2007

Well its a dull day here in the New Forest. We went for a walk at Shatterford and it was very muddy. Missy had a great time with her ball and raffles and Taivas had lots of sausage so all the dogs were happy.
I hope 2008 is a great year for everybody.

Shatterford Bog

Taivas dances for say=usage

The last swim of 2007

Galloping ponies, Its hard to believe the stocky little foal below was born in 2007

I got a Wolf for Christmas!

Yes I really did! Kgosi is a Black Canadian Wolf , he has been adopted on my behalf and he lives in a secret location somewhere on the Welsh Borders. During the year I can make arrangements to go and see him. The Print of Kgosi is by Eva Dutton and you can see more information at Wolf Watch Uk

Frosty Misty and Sunny

We walked at Fritham this morning. On the top it was sunny with just a little frost and iced over puddles. but down in the little valleys we could see the mist. We walked down into the mist to the little stream known as Dockens Water and then back to the top and down the other side. We saw fallow bucks on both sides in the distance. It was magical walking in and out of the mist , but so hard to capture on camera.

Trees through the Mist


Reflections in Dockens Water

I wonder what they are whispering about

Mist in the valley

Christmas Holidays

We spent a quiet Christmas at home with the Dogs and Iain. The weather was very changeable with some bright frosty mornings and then a wet Christmas day followed by overcast days. We walked with karen and Taivas one day, and all the dogs had fun, in the mud. Now we are nearly into the New Year.

Christmas Day

Raffles and Missy had a good time.

Mogshade Pond

In the heather


Down by Highland water

A Cold Frosty Walk at Cadmans Pond

We had another heavy overnight frost. We drove up to Cadmans Pond to start our walk. It was very icy underfoot. The syn was shining through the trees and the forest was so pretty with the ground covered in a layer of frost. There were lots of people out walking and the dogs met plenty of friends to play with The little stream known as Dockens Water was frozen in some places My brother is with us for Christmas and he had to climb the trees. Back at the pond the ducks were a little discontent as it was frozen. Lots of small birds were flying around hoping for some titbits. We hope you all have a wonderful Christmas.

Mist rising

Frosty banks

reflections in the stream

Iain is here for Christmas and he has to play the fool!

Some one always has to climb and he is about to find out that its a long way down!

And guess who fell off!


The dogs pose

Very Frosty down by the stream

The little bluetits were looking for food

A bluetit at Cadmans Pond

Cadmans pond was pretty much iced up

The Ducks were a little disorientated and fed up


And on the way home look who we met!