December Walk

December at Denny Wood

What a glorious day for our December walk – the weather was perfect for the twenty-five of us and one dog who met up at Denny Wood car park. Surprisingly Dave walked back towards the Lyndhurst/Beaulieu road before turning into the forest which after all the rain we’ve had was at times very wet and extremely muddy. Most of us were in wellingtons so it was quite amusing to slip and slide along the tracks. During the walk the front runners were rewarded with a glimpse of deer and further on we came across a family of pigs who showed no fear of us and a little curiosity.

A shared Joke

November's walk at Wilverly

November's walk at Wilverly was well attended. 18 of us made the circular route over the plain of well cropped grass into the plantation of trees, although many had only recently been harvested going by the many stumps left in the ground. The ground was still icy in parts which made the tracks less muddy for us to walk on. The weather was perfect for a November day blue skies and a warm sun.

October's walk

Another excellent walk, 21 members altogether. Notable on this walk was the many varied fungi in particular a very large one over a foot wide. Quite a few deer were seen by the leading group as we were stretched some distance along the at times muddy path.

September's Walk

Twenty members arrived for Dave's walk plus one grandson. Excellent walk from Beaulieu railway station car park. Not too hot and the rain kept off. Mainly on a firm but rutted track with wide sweeping views of heather covered heathland. Unusually we saw no deer but a few ponies looking well fed and some cows with a young one taking a drink. A small flower growing near the path attracted some interest. I'm told this was an orchid, Spiranthes - Autumn Ladies' Tresses.










Bridge photo shoot.

Group discussion.

Striding along

Thirsty calf

Well fed ponies.

Brave deer

Dried up stream

Stragglers

August walk

Eighteen of us including a U3A visitor turned up on this warm and pleasant summer’s morning at Brock Hill Car Park just off Ornamental Drive from the Lyndhurst to Christchurch cross roads. Ornamental drive is renowned for the many rhododendron bushes (A lot have recently been cleared) and giant redwood trees the tallest trees in the Forest and probably in the UK. The mainly earth paths were dry from the lack of rain and we completed the walk in one of our fastest times. During the walk we came across two young deer who took little notice of us giving a good photo opportunity. The photo of the stream show the dryness of the forest as just before the ford there was a notice warning of the danger of flooding

Click title to go to Ornamental drive

July Walk

After the heat wave we were back with rain and the threat of thunder but resolute to a man or woman fifteen of us arrived at the Knightwood Oak car park ready for one of Dave’s guided tours. This time we trekked a bit further than usual, first we stopped at the Oak to pay our respects then we trekked along quite good paths only slightly slippery from the rain across to the Portuguese fireplace. We then headed back stopping at the reptile centre to admire the adders and toads on display. From there we again passed the oak before returning to the car park. Very good walk and by the time we arrived the weather had vastly improved.