No Through Road

It was clear the road was closed the moment I approached taking a short cut across the New Forest this afternoon.
I am well used to road works, even the occasional vehicle breakdown or traffic hazard leading to road closure and diversions, but this was altogether different - a herd of cows basking themselves in the hot afternoon sunshine on the verge and the road itself.
With around 3,000 cattle roaming the Forest, plus ponies, donkeys and even pigs, it's not unusual to find them at the roadside, even walking the road and by inching forward they'll usually wander off and clear a path for you.
But not this group who were well intent on enjoying the sun and weren't moving for anyone. They are free to roam anywhere in the Forest and do so wherever there is good grazing pasture. In the winter time they tend to be taken in to owner's farms and small holdings on Forest land.
You'll find a variety of breeds with Galloway and Hereford crossbreds the most popular. But you'll not find Bulls roaming free; under National Park regulations that's not permitted. So the cows are pretty docile and are only likely to become aggressive when having given birth, they protect their young.
This group were docile enough and content to stay put. To get by I had to take to the grassland around them, all the time being wary that heavy rain in these parts earlier in the week had not left soft and soggy grassland.
Still the cows didn't move and when I stopped to capture my Polaroid Blipfoto for the day, I had the feeling they were ready to pose, rather than be disturbed!