A few weeks back on our way to the Isle of Wight with friends, we drove through the New Forest. Unwittingly, unsuspectingly!
The rain lashed down furiously that morning as we passed the wild ponies that have come to be characteristic of the Hampshire woodlands; standing as silent sentinels watching the passage of time and traveller through the millennia. And I’m a dreamer, a hungry, insatiable one who’s constantly in search of the new, untouched and unblemished experiences that I haven’t tasted yet; and one who also has the pleasure and privelege of raising a daughter who is in that sense similar.
Driving through this beautiful, yet daunting geography on that grey and tidal day, I began to view Rahel’s small and chiseled face in Picasso’s reductive terms – her heartshaped face with its aquiline nose; her strong almond eyes condescending on her thin, small mouth now filled with emotion. In my mind’s eye, I’ve come to view that scene as one from a pastoral landscape, with the characters and their idealized desire for the unity of man and nature, a restoration with the Divine – a hairsbreadth’s distance, an abysmal divide! I believe that being there made me feel that all we were or are is nothing more than a group of dust covered vagrants, passing through bare, intermediate landscapes! Maybe that’s what being confronted with the magnitude of nature does to us… so this morning, armed with coffee, camera and just one lens, I went back to capture a little of something we might never see the same way in more clement weather!
Here are these ancient steeds of the south photographed on a desperately foggy, damp, 5˚ C day!
*This is my attempt at capturing a family moment, and I dedicate these ten photographs to my Rahel…for being a fellow dreamer and a believer in the delicate beauty of wild horses!
You can find me, my stories and my images on a somewhat more regular basis over at my Instagram account 🙂
Beautiful pictures here. I love the New Forest and it is something I miss about living in my home town of Bournemouth.
rachelreallife recently posted…The Winter Romance
Thanks Rachel 🙂 I can imagine not getting over living around these parts, I’ve not been here long, but loving it 🙂 xx
What beautiful photos! My husband used to live near the New Forest, I would love to visit.
Kate Thompson recently posted…5 Common Misconceptions about Christmas
Thanks Kate, gimme a shout if you’re ever in these parts, would love to meet up 🙂 xx
Beautiful words and even more beautiful pictures. I am lucky to live in Dorset not too far from here, and it is just one of the most stunning places.
sonya cisco recently posted…Trains
Very kind words, Sonya – thank you 🙂 We should have a Dorset blogges meet-up soon 🙂 xx
What gorgeous photographs, they are breathtaking. Hoping to get to the New Forest soon!
Globalmouse recently posted…I Cook It, Costa Brava, Spain
So pleased they went down well, thanks much for stopping by 🙂 xx
What super photos. i was there in October but sadly just passing through. I’d have loved to have stopped for a few snaps.
Emma (My Little 3 and Me) recently posted…Chocolate No-Cook Play Dough Recipe-Reindeer Play
Ah, you would have had some beautuies on your hand given the better weather we had then 🙂 Thank you for your kind words, Emma! xx
Beautiful photos, Kanchan! And I love how the post and pictures capture something more than just nature’s wonders: your love for your child. This touches me deeply. Xx
Elisabeth recently posted…Ein etwas anderer Adventkalender
Thank you Elisabeth, you always get me so well 🙂 Your words and your taking the trouble to keep up with this blog are things I appreciate greatly…I’m so pleased that we’ve managed such a lovely friendship online 🙂 xx
Oh stunning! You should have shouted – I’m in the New Forest! x
Aww, thank you Annie! I’ve just realised how many of us are ‘local’, we’ve got to meet up! xx
beautiful photo’s. We were there over the Summer. It’s the most amazing place. We stumbled on a group of wild ponies walking through some woods and one of them took a real liking to my eldest and kept going over to her.
I had some incredibly friendly ones too, such a lovely experience, that, isn’t it?! 🙂 xx
What absolutely stunning photography. Very well captured.
Pinkoddy recently posted…Learning to drive: Then and Now
Thank you very much, so glad you enjoyed the pictures 🙂 xx
I don’t know which I like more, your photography or your writing. Both are fantastic!
VaiChin @RamblingThroughParenthood recently posted…Musicroom – The Christmas Gift Finder Online Amp
That is such a lovely compliment, thank you Vaichin! 🙂 xx
Lovely words and pictures Kanch. It feels like the fog and woodlands are alive in these images.
I remeber you describing the New Forest to me, and this is an exact portrayal of your words.
That’s such a big, big thing for me, to hear this from my photography mentor! 😀 I’m so pleased I got to do this with you accompanying us, Dan!
Absolutely wonderful, beautiful words and pictures. Very magical.
Bek recently posted…One Year Blogging: What I Have Learned (Part Two)
Thanks so much, Bek! 🙂
Gorgeous post – words and pictures! Those ponies are simply beautiful…. and I love the eerie effect in black and white! X
older mum in a muddle recently posted…#One Week – Autumn ’14 – Autumn Bites
Ah, you’re kind, Sarah! I had a surreal landscape in front of me, made my job quite easy. thank you for liking it 🙂 xx
Such a beautiful pictures! Love the look of the bare forest.
agatapokutycka recently posted…How to create a safe sleeping environment for your baby
Thank you Agata – it was genuinely surreal 🙂 x
Wow those pictures are stunning, the kind you would see in a book
Stephen recently posted…Christmas Gift Ideas for Him #2 – Starbucks Sprinkler & Mug
That is a BIG, BIG compliment, Steven! Many thanks for your generosity 🙂 x
We live on the outskirts of the New Forest and it is always a treat to go and visit the ponies – great shots!
Kara recently posted…Earn some extra cash by working from home with Younique
I completely agree, Kara – dead gorgeous place 🙂 And thank you! x
Wow. Stunning. So are the horses!
cupitonians recently posted…Guest Blog – Women’s Shoes
What absolutely stunning photographs.
Looks like you had a great time
Clare Nicholas recently posted…How To Make Winter Wonderland Snowflakes with Fondant Icing
Thanks Anju, I’m so flattered that you still remember my little blog 🙂 x
Thanks Clare, we did have a lovely quiet morning full of surprsises 🙂 x
Wow! Absolutely stunning photo’s. They have a creepy feel to them in the black and white with the mist too! Horses intrigue me x
Carolynne @ Mummy Endeavours recently posted…Silent Sunday – 07/11/2014
That I think was an intentional effect, Carolynne 🙂 I thought it went nicely with the foggy, dull day 🙂 Thank you for liking them and for taking the time to stop by! x
Hi Kanchan,
I just love you photos! I have been to the new forest and it was lovely to see your pics, just gorgeous! Love Cath x
Thanks so much Cath! It’s lovely of you to come check them out 🙂 Please do come down and see us in Dorset sometime! Xx
Stunning photos. I love New Forest ponies – they are such beautiful animals.
Louise recently posted…The Friday Focus – 09/01/15
Your photos and writing are just lovely! These photos look like something off a movie set – beautiful! Lovely blog, looking forward to reading more. x
Xandi | Lattes & Little Ones recently posted…Bye Bye Changing Bag
Thank you so much for stopping by Louise, I have to agree about the ponies, just stunning 🙂 xx
Very kind words, Xandi, thank you 🙂 I’m blushing with that very large compliment 🙂 I will have to pop over and have a look around your space soon. Such a pleasure to make new connections. xx
Very atmospheric – a lovely part of the world, but I’ve only ever been in the summer time.
Mary @ Over 40 and a Mum to One recently posted…Dentyl Active – alcohol free mouthwash
Haunting photographs – we live near to the New Forest and you have really inspired us x
Baby Isabella recently posted…Are you a blogging monster?
Kanchan, I enjoyed reading this article about the new forest. Amazed to see such breathtaking pictures. Well done!
Thanks mom….so glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
That is such a lovely thing to say, Baby Isabella…I hope you have a fab time visiting! 🙂
Your photos are stunning! I have seen wild ponies only once in Devon. I find them fascinating. Your post is inspiring.
My Little Italian Kitchen recently posted…Moist Citrus Carrot Cake Recipe
How kind of you to say so, My Little Italian Kitchen! I am still overawed by the beauty of the new forest everytime I visi 🙂 I feel awful that this blog has been inactive for so long, must get back to it soon. Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to comment. x