Hi everyone

 

I do wish all of you a good Christmas and all the best for 2022

 

The next “short walk” will take place on Friday 7^th January starting at 10 am from Eling Tidal Mill.

 

Look forward to seeing you there

 I for my part have finally decided that  I need to change  something as my life moves on, so I wish to tell you all that the next Short Walk(Friday  7^th January) from Eling Tidal Mill  will have to be the last one I lead for our wonderful Totton U3A.

 

 I am sure that there is someone who can  take over and so carry on our wonderful one hour walks,  please keep me posted.

 

All the very best to your all, and look forward to seeing you all at our next branch meeting on Wednesday 12^th January 2022 !!!

 Michael Page

Friday 3rd December A bit of a dull weather morning so not surprised that only 5 of us met together at Bolton’s Bench for a morning’s exercise. We struck out over the grassy plain for a few hundred yards before joining the well trodden path that we’ve walked many times before and avoiding puddles, ponies, and their deposits, as necessary. We carried on walking and chatting until about half an hour had passed and by then the sun had appeared and the air quite mild. Then it was time to turn back and we considered a slightly different route but decided it could be a bit boggy and so retraced our steps to the car park passing approaching walkers with their dogs and children with cheery “good mornings” and “hellos”. There were a couple of infants having a wonderful time jumping and splashing in a very muddy puddle, encouraged by their mother I may add. All too soon it was back in the cars to go home and we were all pleased that Mike had encouraged us out into the fresh air once again. Ken.

 The next 1 hour walk will be on Friday 3^rd December 2021, starting at 10am from Bolton's Bench.

Hope to see a few members

Michael Page

 19th November

A typical November day, overcast but quite mild, when we met together at Beachern wood car park this morning all ready for the long walk.    Striding across some common ground we were soon on to a bridle track/unadopted road leading past a number of large houses and cottages hidden away.    Quite a busy little lane and we had to step aside for 2 or 3 cars and a refuse truck.   The way led us to the road passing St Nicholas church and the Brockenhurst ford.   Made our way back toward Meerut road which we crossed and onto a long straight gravel path over more common land, known as  Black Knoll reaching Bolderwood  Bridge over the Oberwater where it was time to play Poohsticks.   I’m pleased to say that I won: but then I was the only one silly enough to play!

Back through woodland with the footway covered in dead leaves which we crunched  over on our way to Ober corner.  There was time to admire the changing colours of the trees in all their Autumnal glory.   We then followed an arc back to the car park having apparently walked  6.9 kms in total.

We all appreciated Ingrid and Brian leading and for giving us the opportunity for some welcome exercise and a chance to fill our lungs with good fresh air.

Roll on the next one!   Ken

 Good morning all

Feeling fit! Why not join us for a walk of about four and a half miles on Friday 19 November. We will start out from Beechen Wood Car Park at 10am. walking through the village to Ober Water then back via Alderidge Inclosure.

Please come along

Ingrid

 The next short  walk(up to 1 hour)  will take place on Friday 5^th November starting at 10am from Bramble Hill Car Park.

 To get there proceed though Cadnam and then go under the motorway and pick up the Fording ridge road.  At the village of Brook take left fork signposted "Fordingbridge".  After about 1 mile or so you go through a junction & about 1 minute up the road on the right is Bramble Hill Car Park.

 Looking forward to seeing some of you there

 Michael Page

What a brilliant day for an autumn walk in The Forest! 10 of us met up with Mike Page at Bramble Hill car park with the sun shining brightly and almost no wind. Dead on 10am we plunged into the forest area at a steady pace along a grassy way avoiding the many puddles where we could. One or two small streamlets needed to be negotiated too.   

Not a lot of wild life was seen: a couple of large birds overhead but not easily identified due to the sun directly in our eyes. Circling round in an anti-clockwise direction we crossed carefully the Fordingbridge road on to Longcross Common. A helicopter flew lazily above us in the distance which caused us to notice the large number of airplane trails criss-crossing the almost clear blue sky. This gave us an unusual perspective as we reached Longcross pond and saw these smoky trails reflected in the clear lightly rippling water. I should have have brought a camera. Lots of chatting along the way, of course. 

All to soon it was time for another group dash back over the road to the car park within an hour of leaving it.

Cheery goodbyes with us all looking forward to the next walk on December 3rd and hoping the weather will be much the same. Thanks again to Mike for making us stir our stumps and getting us out in the fresh air.   

If you want another reason for a face to face get together I am reminding you that we intend to meet for petanque again on this Monday (7th) at 10.15 am on the pitch behind the library. Let’s see many of you there.

Meantime enjoy your weekend. We will, as we’re at Hanger Farm on Saturday evening and a 6 year old’s birthday party on Sunday.

Take care and stay warm. Ken

 Walk - 15th October 2021

We met up beside the Bulmer Lawn hotel for our 5 mile walk but decided to take a half mile drive further up the road to the Standing Hat car park before stepping out.

Through the gate and we were off on a fast pace enjoying the mild weather and the sun shining through the trees. The Forest was dressed in its autumn colours with ferns beginning to dry out. Plenty of spiders’ webs could be seen glistening in the bushes as we passed by and we noted a single blossom of honeysuckle clinging on still. We kept to the cycle tracks all the way passing a nod or other pleasantries with other walkers. At one time a horse and trap came towards us but it was full so we couldn’t hitch a lift. We carried on and a horse and rider passed nearby and we came across various fungi, but only Charmian spotted a deer crossing our path 2 or 3 hundred yards ahead.

All too soon we were back at the gate from the enclosure to the car park and I for one was pleased we didn’t have to tramp back to the hotel area. Those cycle paths can be quite a strain on your soles after 4+ miles!

Another enjoyable morning thanks to Ingrid, Brian and (of course) the sunshine.

Ken

 Friday 1st October

A short walk starting from the car park at Fritham at 10.00am.  Tel Charmian on 07914861787 for further information.

A Window of Sunshine

There were 4 of us on the walk this morning - we were lucky enough to have sunshine & fuel to see us through the trip to Fritham.  Starting from the car park we walked down the hill to Eyeworth Pond where we turned right along the gravel track.  We were busy chatting but I found the turn off just before we got to the road & turned up the hill onto the open plain at the top where we turned right again & followed the trail back through the woods along the side of the farm coming out onto the open green near the pub.  We were bathed in sunshine all the way & felt somewhat overdressed in rainwear & heavy boots.  A few puddles & muddy places but great to catch up & enjoy the outdoors.

September  

8 of us gathered at the lakes this morning including a couple of new faces raring to go on our monthly short walk.

We started off by walking anti-clockwise around the lower, smaller pond at a good pace.    We saw plenty of red berries on various bushes and trees but noted that blackberries were sparse and quite small in size.  Probably due to lack of rain to swell them. 

Upon returning to the car park we continued clockwise around the larger lake past the sea scout headquarters.  There was not a lot of wildlife on the water but a grebe caught the attention of some of us and also two or three Canada geese almost in solitary splendour.   We carried on walking and chatting and passing the time of day with other strollers as we made our way back to the parking area.  It took us 55 minutes in total which was enough time to blow away the cobwebs.  The sun was kind to us and more than one was shedding a coat before the finish. 

We all seemed pleased to have done it and have some face to face conversation so thanks again to Michael for organising the opportunity to do so.

The next short walk is set for 1st October and will be led by Charmian.    Meeting point not yet fixed but in  all probability will be at Fritham.   Come along and join in.   Ken