February Walk cancelled due to extreme wet conditions

February's Walk

   TOTTON U3A WALKING GROUP
A WALK IN THE NEW FOREST ON WEDNESDAY 3rd FEBRUARY AT 10 AM, MEET IN BUSKETTS LAWN CAR PARK. DIRECTIONS: GO TO ASHURST ON THE A35. AT THE FAR END OF ASHURST, JUST AS YOU GO OVER THE RAILWAY BRIDGE (AFTER PASSING THE HAPPY CHEESE PUB ON THE LEFT) TURN RIGHT (SIGNPOSTED WOODLANDS). STAY ON THIS ROAD FOR ABOUT A MILE, TURN LEFT AT THE T JUNCTION. ABOUT 0.25 MILE ON, AS THE ROAD SWINGS SHARPLY RIGHT, TURN LEFT UP THE GRAVEL TRACK ON THE BEND OF THE ROAD. THE CAR PARK IS ABOUT 2OO YARDS ON. IN MIXED WOODLAND, 95% ON GRAVEL TRACK (SORRY BUT IT'S FEBRUARY!), BUT A BIT MUDDY IN ONE OR TWO PLACES ON THE 5%AFTER RAIN. LENGTH OF THE WALK: ABOUT 3 MILES, TIME ABOUT 2hrs 15mins. MEMBERS ARE RESPECTFULLY REMINDED THAT THE WALKS REQUIRE A DEGREE OF FITNESS RELATIVE TO THE TERRAIN AND DISTANCE. IF YOU HAVE ANY DIFFICULTY FINDING THE CAR PARK PLEASE RING ME ON 07756901450 DAVE.  

New Year's Day Walk

Only 14 members arrived to start, many regulars were away with families and friends and perhaps hangovers, late nights, overcast skies or lie-ins may may have contributed! The weather was ideal for walking, no wind, not too hot or cold, and dry throughout. Although finishing at 12.05pm it poured with rain at 1pm. For about an early quarter of a mile underfoot conditions were very muddy and squelchy indeed which added a bit of interest,but the rest on firm, level gravel tracks and paths. The oak tree with ferns growing on its branches at high level was an unusual sight. In Clayhill were went through the coppicing areas, complete with a huge portable charcoal burner which is in active use by volunteers involved in clearing areas for the coming spring's bluebell growth by allowing sunlight onto the forest floor. I was surprised by the quality of remnants of charcoal left in the burner, jet black, compact and good enough quality to use for charcoal stick drawing. Achieved by preventing the flames actually coming into contact with the wood, but by scorching it for some 4-5 hours. All this information kindly supplied by our Jack R, who has volunteered in Dave Dibden's team. Another surprise was the high number of families we passed, in parts of the forest which are usually deserted, in fact on return there were some 30 cars in the car park.
Pics from Dave and Sandra