9 members gathered at the fountain fronting the Art Gallery at 10.30 am to be met by our affable guide Geoff Watts, someone who had been a speaker at one of our monthly meetings. 

Starting by crossing the road into West Marlands park Geoff explained that all the central parks were originally known as Lammas parks which were privately owned and cultivated but had to be open to the public for 6 months of the year.    He then went on to explain about the 2 modern art installations there, one of which is still on loan after 25 years.   I think that nobody wanted it back so Southampton is stuck with it!

Progressing east to the statue of Isaac Watts (no relation, Geoff assured us) it’s origin and its particular siting was explained to us.   Watts was the composer of various hymns including “oh God our help in ages past” which is played daily each 4 hours from 8am to 8pm from the Civic Centre bell tower.

From there it was to the Cenotaph, designed by Lutyens, which commemorates those who died in The Great War and shows 2000 names - one of which appears twice as it was incorrectly spelled originally.    Those who died in WW2 have their names in a book held in the main library archives which can be viewed if requested.

Proceeding across Above Bar we made our way to the Titanic Engineer’s Memorial erected in memorium to those engineers who went down with the ship whilst endeavouring to keep all lights blazing so that the Carpathian would see it should it arrive in time.    The architect of the Titanic - Thomas Andrews - also perished with them after he had warned the captain that the vessel was doomed.   

We were then reminded of the very popular aviary which stood nearby but disappeared overnight on the instructions of a city counsellor causing a public outcry but to no avail.   There appears to be no record of the fate of the birds housed therein. 

We then moved over to another installation called The Queen’s fountain to celebrate 56 years of QE2’s reign without a war.    The actual fountain no longer operates due to vandalism. 

Continuing to the pergola our attention was drawn to a - now defunct - sundial erected to mark the beginning of the reign of Edward VII.

Perambulating through the parks via the avenue of lime trees we crossed New Road into what is called Palmerston park with our guide drawing attention to various areas of historical interest along the way which we would have missed otherwise.    We then gathered before Palmerston’s statue set in the most densely planted area of the park - courtesy of a Victorian benefactor who owned a garden centre and donated £4000 worth of shrubs and other flora.

Palmerston was a burgess of the town who became a Liberal MP and progressed to positions of Foreign and Home Secretaries and Prime Minister twice, dying in office in 1865.

Onwards we went along the avenue and crossed over Pound Tree Round and intoQueens Park passing a children’s playground which was being refurbished or upgraded until, finally, we reached the plinth and column monument which was raised through public subscription commemorating the arrival of gas lighting to the town.

Many thanks to Geoff for his deep knowledge and interesting words throughout and to Christine for making the walk possible.    We all learned a great deal.   It is hoped to organise a further historical walk sometime soon.   

I’ve bored you long enough with my ramblings so time to close.   Ken. 

 Our next short walk will be on  Friday 23rd  September from Bolderwood car park starting at 10am as usual.

There are several routes there the two main ones both being from Lyndhurst towards Bournemouth.    For the first you turn right on to Swan Green and continue to the New Forest  Inn where turn left, signposted “Bolderwood 3 miles, and continue past Millyford Bridge and on to Bolderwood.   
The second route is to continue on the A35 beyond Swan Green as far as the Tall Trees walk cross roads where you make a right turn (again signposted to Bolderwood) and follow that road for approximately 2 miles until you reach Bolderwood car park.
We will be following the longest of the suggested waymarked walks of approx 2 miles keeping to the bicycle trails and should take us about an hour.   See you there.   Ken & Charmian.

On Friday 19 August starting at 10am we will be walking from the Oak Inn at Bank, it is a circular walk of just under 5 miles through the forest. If anyone wants a drink or lunch the Oak has a nice garden.

Please park on arrival on the road in front of the pub, not in the pub car park.

Look forward to seeing you there

Ingrid

 8 members gathered at Clay Hill Heath car park this morning eager to do the short walk.   It was quite cool compared with recent weather and ideal for our foray.   Straight from the cars and immediately through a gate into an enclosure and along a woodland path chatting all the way.    Soon it was over a low stile, across a cycle track and back into another enclosure and we all managed the hazard of the fallen tree easily.   Not a “whoops“ from any of us.   On route a deer was spotted in the undergrowth and not long after another was observed quite close on a track to our left.

 Moving onto rougher ground we followed the signs for the circular walk which soon led us on to a more pleasant woodland track.    We passed wattle fencing, an area of replanting and also a very boggy area set aside for conservation.    Emerging on to another cycle track we crossed to a break in ferns and brush to find what we were looking for - the Bisterne dragon of fable fame (go on, Google it).    It was a carving of a dragon head on a fallen tree trunk, quite cleverly executed and varnished over to preserve it.    Time for a photograph or two which I hope to be able to publish soon.

Back on the track and soon another deer loped across about 30 yards ahead of us.   The final stretch of our morning was along a further woodland path with a couple more carvings to see, one of a torso in a pair of trunks and an impressive one of an owl before retracing part of our steps to the car park.

It had taken us about an hour and a half to cover not more than 2 miles so more of a stroll really.    We all enjoyed ourselves which is the whole object of the exercise. 

We’ll arrange another one soon on an ad hoc basis maybe in September.    Should anyone have a favourite and/or interesting shortish walk in easy reach which they would like to share please set it up or bring it to our attention.    We’re all in this together.

Ken and Charmian.

 The next short walk will be on  22nd July at 10.00am from Clay Hill Heath car park which is on the Lyndhurst to  Brockenhurst road (A337).

From Lyndhurst, proceed beyond Foxlease and the Crown Stirrup pub and over the hill, continue past the speed de-restriction sign and the entrance to Car park is about 200 yards beyond that on the left hand side and is slightly hidden by the bend in the road.   It’s almost opposite a rough sandy lay-by on the right which has now been shut off by posts.  If you overshoot you will need to drive on for a third of a mile to New Park before you can turn around.

Our route takes us mostly on woodland paths and cycle tracks over undulating ground: nothing too strenuous and covers about 2 to 2.5 miles and should take around an hour and a bit.  There is a small stile, about knee high, and a fallen tree to negotiate which is about crotch high.   Whoops!!   Depending on the weather it may be a tad muddy in places so please don suitable footwear.   If this heatwave continues we will still have the pleasure of the shade of the trees for most of the way.

If the weather is fair we should enjoy a good morning.     Charmian and Ken will see you there.

 The next short walk is scheduled for 22nd July, all being well.   Further details will follow nearer the time.  Ken & Charmian. 

 Our longer  June walk on 17 June is from Millyford Bridge car park and will start at 10am. We will walk to Annies Tea Room at Acres Down. Stop for tea and cake then return to the car park by a different route.

We should reach Annie's by about 10-45 and it would be nice to see any non-walkers there to join us for tea and cake and a chat. There are car parks at Acres Down.

Ingrid

Due to the heat the long walk was, wisely, considerably reduced as we wanted to stay away from the fierce sun’s rays and agreed by all nine of us.   

Leaving Milliford car park we strode along the cycle track and over a small bridge where we noted a dog cooling off his feet in the stream below.   No sign of owner at first but she soon came striding toward us.  Some of us spoke to her to discover that the animal was a rescue dog from Spain which had been used for intensive breeding and then discarded when her work was done.    She had found a happy home. 

Continuing along this way for another couple of hundred yards we struck off to the right and on to a woodland track which wound its way through the trees for a further half mile or so before reaching a further track which led us to the highlight of the morning -
“ Annie’s Tea Rooms”.

Settling on a large table Annie was soon with us to take our order.   With 5 different cakes on offer we had to make quick choices.    No problem for me as I always go for the coffee and walnut.   Delicious, as usual.     Annie joined us at the table for a chat and we discovered the joys, and otherwise, of running the cafe, a farm shop and a farm itself.    Luckily, it’s a family business so chores are shared.

Practically a whole hour passed happily with our questions about cattle, sheep and pigs being answered before we decided it was time to wend our way back to our cars by retracing our steps through the cool of The Forest.   Nowhere near the usual 5 miles but I think we were all grateful for that.

Then it was time for goodbyes plus thanks to Ingrid and Brian for arranging another lovely walk.     Ken. 

A bit overcast this morning so what’s best to wear for the walk today? Last minute decisions were being made prior to leaving home. Suitably attired, 6 members plus a neighbour and a dog, arrived in good time at the cricket pitch at Bolton’s Bench. Spot on 10am we were off making our way over the ridge and dropping down towards, and across, the Beaulieu road then through a gate as we plunged into the forest on a cycle track. After a couple of hundred yards it was turn right onto a forest track leading through an environmental area. Soon the first bluebell was spotted, then another two and gradually larger and larger clumps before reaching areas of almost sea blue. We admired their beauty, but lacking the sunshine they could have looked more outstanding and spectacular. Still glad to have had the opportunity to see them though. Continuing on the trail we eventually came out onto another cycle track. And so we progressed using trails and tracks in turn passing areas where trees were newly planted and also where they had been cut and felled under forest management. It, too, was interesting to walk alongside stretches of wattle fencing (presumably of hazel wood) used to separate conservation from general accessible areas. Chatting along the way, with the sun eventually showing its face, we were soon back through the entrance gate and over the road as we returned to the car park at the Bench and then home having walked 3 to 4 miles in about 75 minutes. Happy faces all round and big thank yous to Ingrid and Brian for another good and varied outing. Ken.

What a lovely morning for a walk.   Well, nine of us thought so as we met this morning at Deerleap car park. 

It was quite a straightforward and well worn track mostly on gravel and we soon settled into a steady pace and able to maintain easy chatting whilst enjoying the heathland and the birds twittering in the trees above us.    Luckily, due to the gorgeous sunny weather we have had lately, the odd areas of marshy ground were easy to negotiate. 

We plodded onwards exchanging cheery hellos with passing walkers and 70 minutes and just over 2 miles later we were back at the car park and goodbye time again.   Thanks to all of you that came along. 

We’ll set up another walk in about 6 weeks so look forward to that. 

Ken & Charmian

Members (and friends) are invited to join Charmian and me for walk on THURSDAY - yes THURSDAY- 24th March.  We’ll meet at Dearleap car park at 10.00am.    The entrance is almost opposite the New Forest Wildlife Park.   It’s a popular walking area so allow time to find space for parking. 

The greater majority of the walk is on gravel cycle tracks with one small muddy patch so stout footwear is recommended.  It should take about 75 minutes.    We look forward to seeing you there.     Ken

Woke up this morning and the rain was hissing down.   That’s the walk for today gone for a Burton, I thought.  However, by 10 o’clock the sun was shining brightly when six of us met at Eling Mill for Michael Page’s last scheduled walk.     

Just for a change it was decided to do the walk anti-clockwise so off we started at a good pace.   Stopping at a bridge to look back over the water we spotted an egret.   Carrying on we traversed the cemetery chatting all the way.   Then we pressed on towards Goatee Beach (and that’s a misnomer)  winding our way back via St Mary’s church and back across the causeway to the mill and the cars.   

Big thank yous were  expressed to Mike for keeping us all exercised for so long.   We’ve appreciated his efforts for some years for his monthly walks.   They will continue in the future but not on a monthly basis.   Charmian  and I will probably arrange two or three a year but maybe there are some members out there who may be willing to introduce us to some of their favourite walks.   Just one here or there would be good, think about it.

See you all at the Wednesday meeting.    Ken.