Wednesday 10 October 2012

Coffee and cake, horses and mist


The Gardener took these pictures, as we sat damply yesterday in the tea room of the Owl and Hawk Centre at pretty little Allerford, on a very rainy morning. The view was wonderful.



Beforehand, we walked Flossie on North Hill, throwing her ball through fog so dense that we feared hitting one of the many lovely Exmoor ponies that clustered about us. They observed us with interest, and, as I am rather frightened of horses, I watched them with caution.



They seemed completely unbothered by us or our galumphing weatherproof dog, but scattered in alarm as a ranger's vehicle drove cautiously past.



I love autumn, and - perhaps just as well -  I love fog.

16 comments:

Jen said...

Those pictures are amazing. It looks like a special place. I like fog too.

Dartford Warbler said...

You are right to be cautious of Exmoor ponies Rachel. They are one of the wildest of our native breeds and can be quite difficult to tame, even by the kindest of trainers. They do looks lovely in their natural environment and The Gardener takes very good,atmospheric photos!

Tea in a warm tea room must have been welcome after your foggy walk on the moor.

Gwen Buchanan said...

Wow.. gorgeous pics!

Anonymous said...

I am afraid of horses too and I love fog. We had fog for a little while the other day and I watched a Grey Heron slowly flying through it - quite magical.

Lovely pictures.

the veg artist said...

You passed over the 'cake' bit very quickly there. Did you think we wouldn't notice?

Anonymous said...

I can sympathise with your fear of horses ..... when I was out for a walk one day I encountered one of neighbours on his very large horse - our conversation was conducted with him on the horse on one side of the road .... and me on the verge on the other side, as far away as possible!!
The Gardener is a very good guest photographer!

Noelle the dreamer said...

Wonderful photos (and thank you to the Gardener for sharing these!). Fog, marine fog to be precise is the norm here...I call this island Foggy Bottom (albeit I understand it means something entirely different here, go figure!).
Hugs to Flossie and a big hello from the PNW coast,

Rattling On said...

I don't mind fog, my hair hates it though!
I love horses, the smell, the sounds they make, everything. I rode for years until an accident stopped it all. I miss them. You are so lucky to be able to walk with them. It's just nosey cows here. Not quite as exotic, and a lot more dangerous.

judy in ky said...

Everything looks so beautiful there. I'd love to see the ponies, but I would keep my distance.

judy in ky said...

Everything looks so beautiful there. I'd love to see the ponies, but I would keep my distance.

Susan said...

oh my ... flowers, tea, gardens, a gardener, autumn, Flossie, ponies, fog "and" the owl and birds of prey centre - stop !! you're killing me with thrilled-ness. Wish we were there, seriously !! & beaches, trains, hills, .... more dogs, sticks, more gardens, hedges & a medium sausage roll "and" FREE much love xo les Gang

SmitoniusAndSonata said...

It looks wonderful , especially while I'm sitting by the fire . The ponies are beautiful , but you were sensible not to approach them . After all , you haven't been introduced and they may not feel like visitors.
(I want a window like that)

Anonymous said...

We have some Exmoor ponies on Cothelstone Hill too. I think there are 11 of them and they were 'imported' from Exmoor to keep the undergrowth in trim, which sheep can't do, as they bite differently, which doesn't work with the native 'marine heathland' plants.

I love coming across them usually. But when we were riding up there last, some silly teenagers were chasing the whole herd around like mad things and scaring our horses too. That wasn't funny.

rusty duck said...

Those gardens do look wonderful. I hope they survived yesterday's rain..

flwrjane said...

Your life would make a good film.

who should play you and the gardener?

The animals,of course,would play themselves.

xo J.

Marcheline said...

You are the second person I've heard today that has mentioned being afraid of horses. I can't imagine being afraid of horses. But I suppose everyone is afraid of something. And I suppose being afraid of horses is somewhat less poncy than being afraid of kittens, or bunnies, so you're okay there.

Lovely picture of the four-legged monsters running off into the mist! 8-)

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