A WALK IN THE NEW FOREST ON WEDNESDAY 4TH FEBRUARY AT 10AM, MEET IN DENNY WOOD CAMPSITE CAR PARK. DIRECTIONS: THROUGH ASHURST, JUST BEFORE ENTERING LYNDHURST ON THE A35 TURN LEFT AT BOLTONS BENCH ONTO THE B3056 (Signposted BEAULIEU). AFTER ABOUT 2.5 MILES TURN RIGHT UP A TARMAC TRACK UPTO THE CAMPSITE IMMEDIATELY AS THE MAIN ROAD SWINGS LEFT.) CONTINUE FOR ABOUT 200 YARDS PAST THE RECEPTION HUT, THERE IS A LARGE TURNING CIRCLE ON THE RIGHT WITH AMPLE PARKING. 50% ON GRAVEL TRACKS, 50% IN WOODLAND. IT WILL, I THINK BE MUDDY IN PLACES. 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

First walk of the year 2015

16 Members set off from a virtually empty car park in glorious sunshine on a walk through enclosures and woodland, which was 100% on gravel tracks of firm going and relatively level throughout.

2 members (nameless) mistook a fleeting glimpse of a car at some distance through a gap in the trees for a deer, both called out "a deer!" only to be politely corrected!

The originally planned route included the the crossing of a possibly slippery and flooded ford. So a minor detour took us through the Blackwater Arboretum, where, because the sunshine was so pleasant and we had the time to do a complete circuit of the Arboretum. A very leisurely way to finish a steady walk.

Dave

From Dave Watts
Sixteen U3A members started out from Blackwater Car park on the ornamental drive in bright winter sunshine, enjoying both walk and company. The walk was mainly on gravel track which does not give many opportunities for creative photography. but is easy walking... but we did our best and you should get pictures from Dave B. as well as myself. WE were almost on our own to start with but as the morning progressed we saw more and more people. In fact when we returned to the car park the incoming was exceeding the outgoing and people were looking for spaces. It's a big Car park...Just shows what a sunny morning bring out. Any way Good Walk. Good Company. Thank you again Dave Butcher