10am on the 2nd of August 11 stalwarts met at Deerleap car park near Colbury for another 2 hour gentle amble through mainly open track. Interest was created when we observed a startled herd of wary fallow deer heading for cover in nearby woods. A leisurely crossing over the railway line assured by Dave he had never seen any trains. When safely crossed a thunderous roar and a locomotive hurtled by at 70 mph as we gathered near a blackberry bush admiring the Pyronia tithonus butterflies aptly named the Gatekeeper. Our progress continued alongside a rutted path bordering a bog and later Dave pointed out the evidence of a tumuli. We then saw a Picus viridis (green woodpecker) with its unmistakable short swooping dives. The return journey over the train lines which I now realized is the main Bournemouth line we returned to the car park, two hours exactly. A thoroughly enjoyable walk enjoyed by all.
1st July walk we were lucky with the weather despite threatening rain it stayed away. A circuitous route from the Bartley Cricket ground. Completely people free it was an enjoyable walk for the twelve of us who went.
Despite rain good walk in Ampfield Woods
We met at the White Horse car park at 10.15 am, despite the drizzle we decided to go on our walk and we were glad we did. The sun came out making us shed the wet weather gear. After a 2 hour circular tour of Ampfield Woods we once again came back to the Inn where six of us stayed for a really nice lunch.
