Ever since I visited the New Forest a year or so ago, I’ve longed to go back. The pulling power of those wild donkeys, deer and ponies has been irresistible.
This time around, we were told that the deer where everywhere, and were becoming a serious problem, as the commons are now over-grazed, yet we saw little sign of them.
Here and there, in the depths of the woods, we’d catch a tantalizing, fleeting glimpse of them, but generally, they remained illusive, secretive, and excellent at avoiding us.
Can you spot them?
On our last day, just as we’d lost all hope of any decent deer sightings, we came across this magical little scene.
A herd of fallow deer, sunning themselves in a clearing.
White fallow deer are rare, so it was almost like spotting unicorns!
The white colour is natural and not albinism, and fallow deer are the only British deer that have those beautiful palmate antlers.
It was sad to discover that the young bucks are culled in August each year.
I found it rather strange that the deer are being blamed for the over-grazed commons given large numbers of cattle also roam free and graze too.
The deer are native wildlife, the cattle aren’t.
Such stunningly beautiful creatures.
As are the gentle, yet stubborn donkeys. How I would love to rescue one! I grew up with a donkey as a child, it used to sit in our farmhouse kitchen, in Wales, in front of the range when it was cold. I’ve wanted one as an adult ever since!
They seemed to gatecrash every pub we went too! It was amusing watching the staff trying to coax them out!
Why is it that donkeys always manage to look so forlorn and sad.
There were lots of foals about. I had to check that this little guy was actually breathing. He was fine, just taking a nap!
Everywhere you drive in the New Forest you’ll find ponies huddling in groups in the road. Generally they don’t move, so you have to find a way around them and given most of the roads are narrow and single track, this can be somewhat tricksy! I certainly didn’t envy hubs!
I’m not sure why they’re called ponies, most of them look like horses to me!
Going into pubs with dogs wasn’t always easy. Opening the boot while surrounded by ponies horses can be a little problematic, to put it mildly!
Getting out required a little ingenuity too!
It’s illegal to feed the wild ponies and donkeys, but I have no doubt that they gather around the eateries because people feed them, probably with food that gives them colic. I doubt many tourists, or outsiders as they’re called here, carry carrots in their pockets!
The heather was blooming on the commons, utterly stunning, although this photo doesn’t do it justice, given it was overcast and about to pour down.
We were miles from everywhere when the heavens finally opened…..
I can’t remember ever being as soaked in my entire life! Talk about wrong clothing. A curse on the fake weather news!
The Isle of wight was revisited, and enjoyed despite heavy rain.
And Finally…..
Sam and Annie loved their jolly, but Buddy seemed somewhat freaked out after spending a week in kennels, but he’s fine now. Curly cat is just tickity- boo, as always and Heidi hog and my wild hoglet are now back home. All is now well in my little world, especially now we’ve spent a lovely afternoon with daughter and littl’urchin.
Georgie, our lovely hostess in the New Forest, pointed out that it’s always cheaper to approach rentals direct, rather than through companies like Holiday Lettings, so if anyone plans on going to the New Forest, and wants a lovely dog friendly cottage for two, please email me, and I’ll pass her details on.
What a wonderful place that is! No wonder you would revisit it. I love all those animals too. Thanks for sharing all those beautiful pictures and stories of them all! Sad to hear that the young bucks are culled because of that reason. I do hope they would change their mind one day and spare them all and let nature take its own course.
Thanks Jade, it certainly feels like heaven to me! It’s such a shame about those bucks, if the cattle were placed in fields there would be no need to cull the deer.xxx
What a magical trip. The fallow deed are beautiful. I didn’t know there were free range donkeys as well as ponies. I love donkeys, I used to have one when the children were young but as he seemed to spend more time in the garden than in his field my plants suffered. I never learnt to control him or ride him so eventually I gave him away to a donkey whisperer who quickly turned my little ‘bovver boy’ into a very well mannered donkey. She used to show him and he pulled a little cart. I wouldn’t have trusted him to do that.
Goodness, what a lovely story, I didn’t you had a donkey. Ours was stubborn and willful, it hated my father and brother but adored my mother and I. We got all the affection, they got all the kicks! Noone seems to know how the donkeys arrived at the New Forest. I must research it! Thanks Chloris.xxx
It’s a few years since we had a holiday break in the New Forest, but remember it with fondness as we were staying in a cottage surrounded by heath land and trees – very relaxing being able to walk straight outside onto the common and also see the ponies wandering about. My cousin and husband have retired and now live in the New Forest and as my father’s ancestors came from Hampshire there’s every reason to go back for a visit although bit of a journey to get there these days. Glad you had a lovely time and then it’s always nice to get back home and see the doggies, the other animals and your little granddaughter.
How lucky you are to have so many connections to the New Forest. It’s just so very beautiful and as you say, relaxing. I do hope you get back soon and catch up with your cousin. The motorways are a nightmare though. It is always lovely to get home. Thanks Linda.xxx
I can see how getting around (and in and out) would be challenging with big four-legged creatures ready to be your new best friends given half a chance. Actually, I’m surprised you didn’t have two of those donkeys follow you home!
Glad everyone survived — even the soaked humans! Love that photo. There’s something in Hubs’ body language as if to say, “Cover your camera! That cloud over you is about to let go!”
You have me smiling…..several donkeys followed me without even being fed! I would have happily taken some of the thinner ones home. How I love those creatures. Goodness….I have never been so drenched in my entire life. lessons learnt re always taking a light raincoat despite the weather forecast. Thanks Anne.xxx
Whenever I see donkeys I think of Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh. Maybe that’s why they seem sad. Your deer in a sunny glade make for a magical site.
Ah…yes! Maybe it’s an Eeyore thing! I was thrilled seeing the deer, especially the white does with their fawns. Thanks Jason.xxx
Such a wonderful holiday surrounded by all that nature and wildlife. I can’t imagine looking out of my window and seeing horses just ambling down the road. I can understand you wanting to adopt a donkey, they’re such lovely creatures, but they do always look depressed. Glad you had such a lovely time again.
It’s odd how quickly you get used to seeing the animals roaming free, even on the roads. If I lived there they would probably all end up in my garden. Oh….donkeys! It was them that drew me back. Noone seems to know how they ended up in the New Forest. Thanks Jo.xxx
Good morning dear Dina….One of my favourite places.
My father’s family are from that area…a small village named Witchampton (which looks the same today as it did when I was a child).
Looks like you had a lovely time and I can only image the surprise for your doggies:)
Hoping you are enjoying a lovely weekend….sending love. janet XXXX
It is such a beautiful place for sure. Lovely that you have strong connections to it. Thanks Janet, hoping you are going from strength to strength!xxxx
Is the keep your distance aimed at the horses or people because it seems that the horses ignore it.
That made me laugh! Thanks Sue.xxx
Just a bit of info. Marika Sunseeker from Blog days of yore has begun to venture into blog land again. Her latest post can be found here:
https://marikasunseeker.wordpress.com/2019/08/24/every-picture-tells-a-story/
M xxx
Lovely to see her back! Following! Thanks Menhir!xxx
This finally helped to make some sense of another blogger I follow. I’ve figured out now that the New Forest where he lives (or at least, which he lives near) and the New Forest where you visited are the same. There surely can’t be two places in England filled with the ponies, donkey, fallow deer, and heather!
You’re right that donkeys can seem so forlorn. There’s one in the Texas hill country who shouldn’t be, as he lives with wonderful people and a pasture filled with flowers, but I swear that animal always looks on the verge of tears!
It’s good that all your critters survived. They’re more resilient than we think, even though some of them obviously feel a little visible pouting can’t hurt!
Glad that puzzle is solved! What is it with donkeys? They always manage to look so forlorn! Laughing at the visible pouting! Thanks Linda.xxx
Delightful pix of animals. The deer are good see. I have never seen white deer. There are plenty of the red variety hereabouts and Roe deer.
Happy to hear your own menagerie have settled back into routines chez toi again. I’ll bet you saw a change in development in babe, even after only a week away.
xxxx
I do envy you your deer, we occasionally see roe around here, but only fleetingly! Goodness, littl’urchin changes by the day. I’d forgotten that! It’s all such a rush to independence isn’t it? Thanks Menhir.xxx
Loved your post …
The New Forest is a wonderful place, so pleased you were able to visit again this year.
Hard to believe that Autumn is just around the corner!
Enjoy your weekend.
All the best Jan
It is such a beautiful place, how I wish it was on my doorstep! Lucky you! Autumn is blowing in. Thanks Jan.xxx
A most enjoyable post, and lovely pictures. I’m glad to see that you enjoyed yourselves, it’s certainly a wonderful area to visit. xx
Thanks Flighty, it is a place that ticks all my boxes!xxx
I do love me a donkey – probably childhood memories of Blackpool rather than a pet one warming itself by the range! :0)
I’ve only been to the New Forest once but agree that it is a magical place. Next time I’ll remember to pack a load of carrots!
Glad that the family is now all back together again. xx
Oh….you and me both re loving donkeys. Next time I go I’ll pack a bag of carrots too! Thanks Veggiemummy.xxx
I loved your post….just couldn’t get over the donkeys…they really are everywhere! You are right they often do look sad, and they have a sad history really, always carrying enormous packs everywhere. Lovely last photo of the heather blooming.
Enjoy the remains of summer!
Oh… those donkeys! They rip my heart right out of my chest. Yes, it’s heartbreaking knowing how badly donkeys are treated worldwide. Thanks Gerrie.xxx
Such a lovely place to visit, you saw a lot more ponies than we did on our last holiday there! Seeing the deer was so magical, especially the white one. Nice to know you are all safely back together again.
Thanks Pauline, goodness, I’m surprised you didn’t see many ponies, they were everywhere. It was the deer that were scarce for us, it’s all so very hit and miss isn’t it? xxx
Great post and images. Autumn will be coming up your way, while we look forward to spring after a cold winter down here.
Thanks Peter, oh yes, the chill is beginning to creep in now. I hope you have a lovely spring.xxx
Oh, my, what a heavenly, magical visit to New Forest! The heather looks lovely despite the rain, and the deer, with those palmate ears, and captured in the circle of light, are fantastical! Very different from the deer running all around us here, though I love them, too.
I’m with you on donkeys…and to think you had the joy of living with one when you were young! How wonderful!
The horses would spook my dogs completely; sounds like Sam and Annie did a great job. 🙂 And, of course, your dear husband’s skillful driving deserves applause.
Oh, poor Buddy! I bet he’s thrilled to be home with you again, with all the lovebugs in your sweet king and queendom! 🙂 I bet ALL the family were thrilled to have you back.
Thank you for sharing this enchanting journey with us, dear Dina!
That heather glowed red in the sunshine, so very beautiful! I love seeing deer as I don’t spot them very often around here, so I’m envious of yours!!! I really adore donkeys…..sighs….maybe one day I’ll rescue one. I’m so glad we didn’t take Buddy, he would have been manic around all those animals and at risk of being kicked. Sam and Annie are pretty much used to everything, they are great on ferries, buses and trains and so settled in the car. Nothing seems to phase them! I felt so sorry for poor Buddy being kenneled but have made it up to him! Thanks Kitty, hope all is well in your little paradise!xxxx
The weather does not seem to have spoiled your enjoyment of the wildlife in the magical forest, Dina! I remember a friend taking us at dusk to Bushey Park and pointing out a white hart which just appeared and disappeared between the trees. Just a glimmering. I was thrilled – it’s such a magical creature – I didn’t know they were real!
It’s always about the right clothes isn’t it? No rain could spoil a visit to the New Forest! Oh….seeing a white hart at dusk must have been magical! I saw one in the forest with a white fawn…..just beautiful! Thanks Gill.xxx
I believe these are enchanted places (well, not too far from Stonehenge, actually).
We are so obstinate to search wide and far for new places to visit, but some great places are not too far from where we live.
Thanks for sharing… definitely I shall go back to the UK, since I wanted to reach again up north: Schotland and Loch Eriboll, where I left a piece of my heart.
Hugs and love :-)c
I’m with you re some places being enchanted! Oh yes…Scotland is just wonderful. Thanks Claundine, I hope all is well with one and all. Love and hugs.xxx