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

October walk

Well, weren’t we lucky with the weather last Friday?   It was a really lovely sunny morning when 13 of us met at Hatchet Pond.   We started by walking north of the Pond across grassland and along Furzey Lodge for about 1/4 mile before swinging to  follow the cycle path through the wooded area.   Then a sharp turn left onto grassy but slight muddy path which took us on a slow, steady, but easy climb following the edge of the wood bounding over a small stream and stopping for the obligatory photo on the way and spotting mushrooms and other fungi.   Plenty of time for chatting  and catching up with the news of friends along the way - oh, and putting the world to rights.  After about  20 minutes it was time to make our way back towards the parking area via crossing the road and more heath and eventually following the northern edge of the Pond: several of us were shedding coats as it was so warm.   
At the end of about an hour and a half we reached the cars just as a few ominous clouds showed themselves.   As promised, the ice cream van was there but whether anyone availed themselves of his wares before leaving I don’t know.   We all seem to have agreed it was a most pleasant morning and it is hoped that there will be as good a turnout next time on November 6th.   Let’s have some new faces too.

Ken

August - A welcome respite after a good walk

A little overcast when 4 members joined up with Ingrid and Brian raring to set off. Began on an easy cycle track through a gate and into the forest proper. We had to skirt round a couple of trees that had fallen across our path and trekked on turning along a pleasant grassy way that eventually brought us to Acres Down and Annie’s Tea Rooms, which we had all been looking forward to. A table was found in the garden and tea/coffee and cake was ordered from Annie herself. A little spattering of rain drove us inside before our order arrived. Then comes the difficult choice of which cake to have, as they all look so tempting. Fully refreshed, we then had to decide whether or not to go on but looking at the sky it seemed prudent to retrace our steps. 

We were lucky that any further rain held off and within half hour we were back at the cars by noon having seen a deer along the way. For those of you who couldn’t come you missed a treat. It was easy walking and a most enjoyable couple of hours so thanks again Ingrid and Brian for suggesting it. Apparently we walked about 4 miles in all. Ken

July Walk

The sun was shining when 3 of us met Ingrid and Brian outside the “Cuckoo “ inn raring to set off.   A short walk along the road before diverting into a field and on we went towards the Hamptworth golf course where our path took us along a lane and valley running between the 2 halves of the course and across the river Blackwater and into woodland and welcome shade.   We plodded on through a field of courgettes and one of frilly lettuces being lured ever onward by the thought of a welcome pint at the 
“Cuckoo “.   We even had a young robin join us at the table looking for crumbs but were not able to assist him.   Ingrid may put a picture of him/her on the blog.

All in all a most pleasant walk and not too arduous, so thanks again to our leaders.

By the way, I understand that next month’s long walk will include a stop at “Annie’s “ tea rooms at Acres Down.   Whooo!   See you there.  
Ken

After our walk this morning in Hamptworth, 5 of us stopped at the Cuckoo Inn for some refreshment and were joined by a 6th member too young to join our group. 
Ingrid

Long walk 15th May

A beautiful sunny morning found us outside Boldre church eager to get going on a promised walk through bluebell woods and we were not disappointed.   We made good pace with Ingrid and Brian leading through sun-dappled forestry, a field or two, crossing streams along the way.   It was such ideal weather for walking, the birds were calling and we really appreciated it.   Thanks a lot to Ingrid and Brian.  Such a pity that there were only three others of us to enjoy it all. 

Ken Farleigh

Walking holiday on the IOW

a few pics from a “non-walker” taken of some coast land views,Hotel grounds, Godshill and Yarmouth,plus a few of birds and gardens at the hotel. Although unable to join in the walks, a lovely enjoyable holiday. Thank you to all involved in the organisation.
Sandy .


 

 From Joan Read