Horse Talk

Happy Walkers

March Walk

Starting at Telegraph Hill on the Fordingbride Road 15 of us followed Dave with complete confidence despite a remark from a dog walking group that they had got lost for three hours in the same area we were heading for. It was cold but we’ve braved colder condition. Our route a circular tour led to Eyeworth Pond, created in 1871 to provide water for the Schultz Gunpowder Factory, which operated for 50 years from 1869. This is now home to many ducks, including the brightly coloured mandarin ducks which breed in the Forest using holes in trees. Running north from Eyeworth Pond car park is the unmade Powder Mill Road. This was once used to transport gunpowder up to the main road, thus avoiding Fritham village. We saw many birds around the pond including an Egret, Mallard, Mandarin, Goosander, Teal, Geese and small birds. Blue tits and Coal tits as well as Great Tits, Finches including the Chaffinch and the ubiquitous Robin. After a welcome break in the warm sunshine we continued our walk over the rising heath land back to the car park.
http://www.strollingguides.co.uk/books/newForest/places/2314-Fritham.php

A close scrutiny of a badger's home.

Interesting fungi

Through the wooded part.

Fritham Walk

Nineteen amazingly turned out for Dave’s New Forest walk - cold it certainly was although not the biting wind we experienced in Lymington Marshes. The walk was from Fritham and it was interesting in getting there to drive down the narrow lanes that seemed to be deep in the country. The walk mainly on a gravel track led us into mainly deciduous woods with a rolling gradient that added interest. The usual deer were spotted by somebody with sharp eyesight far in the distance between the boles of the trees. We all enjoyed the walk especially when we got back though I had to use the key to open my car door as I could not press the button on the key as my fingers were too cold. Fun.

Travellers return to Lyndhurst golf club car park.

A cheerful rally after successfully crossing a stream.

January Walk at Lyndhurst race course.

Another walk in the forest in good weather for January. The sun came out at times and all 18 of us enjoyed the expedition into mainly decidious woods after leaving the Lyndhurst golf course. Dave pointed out the visual evidence of the old Lyndhurst race course now very overgrown from 150 years of neglect. The popular Lyndhurst fair was also held here.