May walk

Chilly start, spoilt after continuous sunshine for weeks, we bravely set out 22 of us including one grandson and a friendly griffin on Dave's well timed walk through different types of heath and conifer covered landscape. We spotted a herd of deer just seen in photograph. We passed what is marked down as a tumulus but one member gave the history of where a reinforced submarine pen was built so that the best way to destroy them could be practised. We passed many old bomb craters where even Barnes Wallis dam busting bombs were also dropped.Ashleigh walk bombing range

Shanklin IOW walking holiday

Twentysix of us enjoyed a splendid walking holiday arranged by John with Dave's comprehensive planning. The hotel was good and the staff even better, topped by superb food. Even the weather was exceptionally warm and sunny.
An early crossing on Friday and we went straight to Hambledon Hotel, Shanklin to leave our luggage and then we headed for Godshill Old Smithy car park and a walk through woodlands and fields. Then back to Shanklin for dinner. The evening was entertaining with mainly group quizzes.
The second full day we went to Shorewell for a fairly steep downland slope walk that turned out to be a major challenge including a stile that almost defeated some of us. The views made the struggle well worth it. The soft drinks never tasted better at the Crown Inn.
The second level coastal walk was at Niton. More fine food and further quizzes.
Sunday after a full breakfast we went to Niton and we climbed to the top to see the Oratory and trig point. Most of us made our own arrangements for lunch and then met up at Freshwater for a river walk to Yarmouth. Two of us not fancying more walking but did make it to the top of the Tennyson Down to take a photograph.

Our thanks to John and Dave for a great holiday.

......................................who said chivalry is dead?

4th April Walk

Report written by Jack

On a bright cold day 23 hardy souls took off for the 25th monthly walk in the New Forest. We set of at a brisk pace and were soon chatting together as we spread out into a long column.
We walked adjacent to Bishop's Dyke built in 1385, when Bishop Wickham decided he would claim a piece of the forest for himself, by getting one of his parishioners to crawl in as large a circle as he could manage on his hands and knees. The poor fellow managed about 7 miles thereby giving his master a huge chunk of land.( the good old days).
We walked on into Fidlow Woods where we came across World War 2 bomb craters( of course we had to take the obligatory photo shots to establish the depth and size of the hole). These bombs were aimed at Beaulieu Airfield, poor shots those Germans ,in the latter part of the war.
The ground was in good walking order so we walked through some magnificent Trees with the wind whispering overhead in the top branches to our silent footsteps below.
As we neared the end of the wood we caught a sight of eleven Roe Dear drifting across our path and blend into the undergrowth no more than 100yards away. What graceful animals they are!
So it was back to the car park( once again within minutes of Dave's estimate) where two years ago just 8 people did the very first Totton U3A Walk.Proving that a simple thing, like a walk in the Forest can give so many people,so much pleasure. Providing of course you have a good guide like we have in Dave Butcher.
Thanks Dave.

March Walk - Linwood

Excellent walk in fine sunny weather with mainly blue skies and not too cold. It was very muddy but we were not worried as we had all got the right footwear. Twenty-five of us set out and twenty-two had a lunch at the Red Shoot on the completion of the walk.

Note from Dave

Regarding the March walk, the Forest is very, very wet at the moment and paths and tracks normally reasonably dry in winter are quite waterlogged.
I have changed the route as much as possible, but with rain forecast, I think wellies or stout/waterproof boots are strongly recommended.

Dave

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February Walk from Anderwood car park

Taking a keen interest in reading the dedication perhaps.


A really nice day again for all of us who braved the cold. Quite sunny at times and dry conditions made it enjoyable.

2007 January Walk at Stony Cross

Twenty-two walkers and two dogs one spaniel and the other a griffon met up at the Stony Cross car park. The weather was kind to us and only started to drizzle as we came in view of the car park. Part of the walk was on the solid concrete track left over from the airfield and now used for the summer campsite. Further on we encountered a few muddy patches that added the fun of negotiating them while keeping dry feet.