Seven eager members met this morning at Parc Pale car park just behind Boltons Bench ready to stretch our legs and appreciate the fresh air. 

Crossing the Beaulieu road and then through a rather imposing wooden gate we plunged into the trees and within 5 minutes we were almost surrounded by a sea of bluebells.    We were lucky as we thought we may have been too late to see them at their best.    Carrying on there were a couple of other patches of them to be admired before we came upon a wood carving of the Bisterne Dragon which we’d seen a couple of times on prior walks.   

Following a smell of burning wood we soon came upon the forest charcoal burners who were pleased to explain the process to us; from the cut ash branches to a bag of black charcoal all produced in a most ecological way in sealed ovens.  What we assumed was smoke is actually steam from the new wood but it still made your eyes water as the breeze wafted it around.    A lot of the final product is sold to upmarket hotels, etc, but it can be bought direct from a few other outlets for your own bar-b-ques.    Apparently it’s top quality with no additives and you can be ready to cook  in about 10minutes from first firing. 

Another quarter mile of walking and we were back at the entrance gate  and across the road to the parking area.    Then it was cheery goodbyes and a big thank you to Ingrid and Brian for arranging the morning.

Ken. 

 Eight of us arrive at The Rapids car park all ready for a walk around Romsey.  A quarter mile walk into the town centre and we were soon strolling along The Hundred passing the Corn Exchange swinging right onto Church street where we saw St John’s House which has been temporarily blocked off to visitors due to a very recent fire in its basement.    It’s likely to be closed for the rest of this year for extensive repairs. 

Continuing to Mill lane we walked to a bridge over the R. Test ( time for a quick go at Poohsticks - but only me!) and made our way to the end where we looped back to reach the bridge again and took a back lane alongside the water.  There were plenty of expensive-looking houses to admire with gardens running down the river bank. 

Upon reaching The Meads we turned toward and entered the Memorial Park which we circuited anti-clockwise before exiting on to the road again and continued it past an old mill beside the river where it narrowed to a lane which eventually led us to the bypass via a track called “Causeway”.

Turning left we diverted along Middlebridge street for a couple of hundred yards then we proceeded to the right through some modern flats and back to the A27.    To reach the car park took us past the entrance to Broadlands to traffic lights which allowed us to cross safely and reach our destination.   

I found it to be a most interesting route seeing parts of old and new Romsey I had not ventured to before so a big ‘thank you’ to Ingrid and Brian for organising it for us. 

Ken.