The sun broke out again this morning and so ere long, we broke out from a stupour of mild inaction to head for Beaulieu where summer bedding plants (red geraniums, dark blue lobelia and white alyssum) where purchased for the potager garden back home.
Thence to Lymington and, more specifically,our target destination Waitrose, followed by a meander back through the forest for TC’s delectation and delight..
After spending far too much money, purchases included a tray of sushi for lunch, at which Marion initially turned her nose up but I insisted she put presumption (not prejudice) against the contents aside, to just wait and see – plus a couple of delicious butterscotch yum yums from the patisserie.
On the way back we diverted via Sway in the hope of calling upon a couple of friends of mine who live on the edge of the forest, but they weren’t in, thus thwarting our second attempt to ‘pop’ since I arrived down here at the end of March. Maybe third time lucky (that is, the next time we hit Waitrose)!
And then it was TC’s time. Ah, perhaps not quite yet. Lunch beckoned from the carrier bag. And out came the sushi tray.
Out also came the presumptions, that it was all raw fish and yuck. One tentative bite from my companion was followed by a distinct ‘Mmmmm!’, and thereafter I had to wrestle to get anything from the selection tray myself. “Houston, we have a sushi convert…”
From Sway we meandered over to the delightful village of Boldre. I’d said that the first pony we saw we’d have to stop and introduce TC, or in Marion’s words: “The first pony gets it [an introduction]!”. In the village centre we saw not New Forest ponies but donkeys, including a very young one that Marion said is known as a Jenny (not sure why).
Then headed for home through the forest snapping location pics as spotted ideal ‘Kodak moments’ to share with TC’s fanbase:
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To Landlady: “I’m in the New Forest mum!”
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Laura and TC are now best friends
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Mum and daughter come over to say hello
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Boldre baby (“Jenny”?)
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Just who’s checking out who?
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“Oi donkey, don’t turn your back on me sunshine!”
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“Don’t think you’re coming in this postbox matey. I was here first.”
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Stately progress through the forest
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A proud tour guide
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Indigenous vandal
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Hanging around in the New Forest
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“Turn right for Bucklers Hard”
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The locals are a bit distant
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Teacosy, pony. Pony, teacosy. Wing mirror, oh you’ve already met!
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Hobnobbing in all the best locales
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TSM shows TC the riverhead opposite Beaulieu Palace House (Lord Montagu’s gaff)
I got some very puzzled looks (and smiles) from folk driving or walking past as I composed a brightly-coloured teacosy into position for my various photographs. Needless to say it was a drive home full of mirth and much giggling. Marion even admitted that it wouldn’t have occurred to her to do anything nearly so silly, but she hadn’t had as much fun in a long time!
TC’s off to Dorset tomorrow morning to spend the weekend at Kingcombe with Marion. It’ll get a walk through the stunning wildflower meadows where early spotted and southern marsh orchids, yellow rattle and ragged robin will all be easy to spot and provide yet more photo opportunities.
So pop over to http://chorlkie.wordpress.com for an update (hopefully she’ll find time to post some pics over the weekend but knowing her she might wait until she’s home on Sunday afternoon).
And then I believe our visitor will sadly be leaving us, heading northward to Glasgow to stay with Auchenshugglegranny. I understand Granny is already planning an ambitious itinerary for what is now a very well travelled teacosy.
I hope someone is tallying up the miles for the Guinness Book of Records because after Glasgow, Saint-Chaptes, 1160 miles south in France, is its next destination!
Maybe TC should have its own traveller’s blog?
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