Sunday afternoon walking the New Forest

Making the most of the recent string of fine days we headed out mid morning towards the New Forest in Hampshire. I'd been there in May for a day of walking when Merrilyn and James were in Australia. It just seemed the perfect place to spend the day.

We set the GPS to use only minor roads. That way we could wander down without getting on the M3/M27. It's definitely worth the effort when time allows. We hit Hursely, just south-east of Winchester about lunch time, and passed a lovely pub - the King's Head. Finding a table near the large windows streaming in the afternoon sun we ordered roast and yorkie puds (well - Merrilyn had the soup) from the friendly bartender.

Moving on we arrived at the Tall Trees Trail just south of Lyndhurst. This well presented walk takes in the largest (Coastal Redwood), the toughest (Douglas Fir), and heaviest (Giant Sequoia) trees in England. It really is lovely to walk amongst these soaring trees with the afternoon light filtering through. James was a little tired (perhaps from the fireworks last night) and wanted to stop to look at everything. Not to mention climb every tree stump just to jump off!

We were still wanting more so then headed towards a little place called Telegraph Hill near Nomansland! For history buffs, the Bramshaw Parish website states that... "At Bramshaw Telegraph during the Napoleonic wars, an optical shutter signal station was used as a communication link for the Admiralty from London to Plymouth. The message took about 20 minutes, unless there was poor visibility, in which case a horse and rider had to take the place of a signal between stations."

Walking from here takes you across open fields - dotted with the odd pony - past holly and oak stands, and into a glorious inclosure filled with oak. I had hoped that there would be more autumn colours than there were. But the walk was very enjoyable as we wandered through grassy avenues surrounded by these trees.

Photos are here.