September

Manor Farm Country Park walk

'An unusual low number came along to the Manor Farm Country Park walk, just 14 plus Dylan (because of the rain forecasted and/or the choice of location?). However in glorious sunshine throughout in delightfully cool woods, open countryside and riverside scenery (the Hamble) on firm tracks, the opinions at the end were very, very positive as a very enjoyable walk in unusual surroundings.' 'Dave Watts found a wild plum tree in a hedgerow and spent 10 minutes gathering two handfuls of wild yellow plums which he handed round to everyone they were delicious, well spotted Dave!'

 Dave Butcher

 Only fourteen enjoyed the walk at Manor farm country park. Shame really as it was different from our usual 'constitutional' . Sun lit woods, shaded places to view the river Hamble [ the tide was up, hardly any mud to see] boats, but not that many and easy walking as steps and hand rails provided on the steeper parts. Just nice really

 Dave W.

August

TOTTON U3A WALKING GROUP

A WALK IN MANOR FARM COUNTRY PARK ON WEDNESDAY 6th AUGUST AT 10AM, MEET IN THE MAIN MUSEUM CAR PARK. DIRECTIONS: TAKE THE M27 TOWARDS PORTSMOUTH, LEAVE AT JUNCTION 8, STAYING IN THE INSIDE LANE. AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SLIP ROAD TAKE THE 1ST EXIT OFF THE ROUNDABOUT. AFTER 200 YARDS TAKE THE SECOND RIGHT (PYLANDS LANE) INTO THE COUNTRY PARK. (THERE ARE BROWN SIGNS TO THE COUNTRY PARK) STAY ON THE MAIN ROAD FOR ABOUT 1.5 MILES TO THE MAIN CAR PARK NEAR THE ENTRANCE TO THE FARM MUSEM COMPLEX. UNFORTUNATEY (SOMETHING WE ARE NOT USED TO) WE NEED TO PAY TO PARK, £3.50 ALL DAY, SO CAR SHARING IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED ON THIS WALK. THERE IS A REFUND OF THE CHARGE IF YOU VISIT THE MUSEUM AT A LATER DATE. THERE ARE TOILETS AND A CAFE BY THE CAR PARK. A BIT MUDDY STILL IN PLACES.

LENGTH OF THE WALK: ABOUT 3 MILES, TIME ABOUT 2hrs 15mins. WALKING IN MIXED WOODLAND.

MEMBERS ARE RESPECTFULLY REMINDED THAT THE WALKS REQUIRE A DEGREE OF FITNESS RELATIVE TO THE TERRAIN AND DISTANCE. IF YOU HAVE ANY DIFFICULTY FINDING THE CAR PARK PLEASE RING ME ON 07756901450 (New number)

DAVE

STANDING HAT CAR PARK - JULY WALK

What a beautiful day for a walk in the forest, surprisingly only twenty-one made it and two of those were John & Sheila's grandchildren. Never seen so many butterflies before.

July Walk

TOTTON U3A WALKING GROUP

A WALK IN THE NEW FOREST ON FRIDAY 4^th JULY AT 10AM

PLEASE MEET IN STANDING HAT CAR PARK.

DIRECTIONS: TAKE THE MAIN ROAD FROM LYNDHURST TO BROCKENHURST (A337). AS YOU APPROACH BROCKENHURST TURN LEFT IMMEDIATELY PAST THE BALMER LAWN HOTEL (ON THE LEFT) ONTO THE B3055 (Signposted BEAULIEU). AFTER ABOUT 500 YARDS AS THE ROAD SWINGS TO THE RIGHT, GO STRAIGHT UP THE LONG STRAIGHT GRAVEL TRACK THAT LIES AHEAD OF YOU. GO TO THE VERY END OF THIS TRACK, THE CAR PARK IS ON THE LEFT.

A BIT MUDDY STILL IN PLACES.

LENGTH OF THE WALK: ABOUT 3 MILES, TIME ABOUT 2hrs 15mins.

WALKING IN MIXED WOODLAND.

MEMBERS ARE RESPECTFULLY REMINDED THAT THE WALKS REQUIRE A DEGREE OF FITNESS RELATIVE TO THE TERRAIN AND DISTANCE.

IF YOU HAVE ANY DIFFICULTY FINDING THE CAR PARK PLEASE RING ME ON 07756901450 (New number)

DAVE

June Walk

For the June walk just 15 members risked the changeable weather, (after 36 for the May walk!). But we were all very fortunate, as we assembled in the car park a heavy 5 minute shower occurred and from then on it remained dry for the whole 2 hours (even the sun came out on a couple of occasions!). Just we arrived back in the car park the heavens opened up again. A strange piece of luck. The vivid, fresh greens of the ferns and beech trees were quite striking in the ancient woods with several groups of fox gloves adding colour. One or two muddy patches (in June!) but the concensus was a very enjoyable walk, well worth risking the rain that didn't happen. Dave Butcher

Fifteen hardy souls set out for what we thought was going to be a soggy jaunt, turned out to be very pleasant. The Forest is at it's most verdant this time of year and although we had some rain there was not enough to make it unpleasant. We all met up at Shatterford car park in our wet weather gear and wondered what the day would bring Dave set our path out toward Denny ridge, then we skirted the north end of Matley Bog and on into Denny enclosure. A wander through the trees until we cut the path up to Denny cottage, we then walked toward the Beaulieu road till we arrived back at the top of Denny ridge. We then turned south and headed back to the car park almost parallel to the road. Sounds easy when you say it fast but it was well worth the effort. Often wondered just who DENNY was! Dave Watts

Sponsored 6 mile

New Forest Horse & Cycle 

Five of us set out in the sunshine to complete the six mile walk included in the New Forest Horse and Cycle Event to raise funds for the Garage Youth Club.

We did all get back none the worse for the exercise with muddy shoes but still standing to collect our medals and certificates.

Ingrid

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 This is us at the end of our sponsored 6 mile walk this morning

June Walk

May 2nd Walk

[1] 303 Long way to Lucy Hill [2] 312 recording the record [3] 314 [4] 316 Where did they come from [5] 324 John guarding his firewood!

Click image to enlarge