Water Vole Way

Distance: 5 1/2 miles
Start from: Bishopstoke Recreation Ground
Charges: None for first 3 hours. £4.70 thereafter for the whole day
Maps: OS Explorers 132 and OL22
Car Park Grid Ref: SU463192

This walk is based on The Water Vole Way and Waterside Walks in Hampshire plus modifications of my own.

The day alternated between sunny-blue skies and layers of indeterminate cloud. There is already some heat in the sun when the air is still. However, standing in the car park, changing boots, a stiff breeze turned the milder air cold again. Once in the shelter of the trees lining the path the wind was cut off and it was pleasant walking. The first half of this circular walk follows the Itchen Way that follows the old Itchen Navigation, once a busy canal that fell into disuse when the trains arrived.

The countryside was the pastel shades and arboreal skeletons of winter but for all that a welcome rest from the city.

The path crosses the Navigation over a tumble of rushing, frothing water full of bubbles and wanders alongside the water past fields and houses until the trees close in. Further on the Way passes through a brick tunnel (above) over which runs the rail track from Southampton to London, and beyond the tunnel the gardens of houses come down to the water in increasing levels of steepness. Some of the gardens are well-tended and have decking and rails, benches and pot plants alongside the water; other gardens are left to run wild down to the water, or given over to small woodlands with benches at the waterside. One garden in particular stands out. Its fence panels are studded with advertising plates and place name-plates. There is a modern bus-stop towards the end of the garden, and a red telephone box nestles up against the house. A metal stand near the bus-stop advertises The Black Cat Café. I would guess that someone enjoys collecting odd things from reclamation yards.

As the path winds on the houses become grander and the gardens finer. One particular house that stands out for me is a three-storey building, presumably Victorian or Edwardian as the rooms all appear to have immensely high ceilings. There are two or three like this, but this one catches my imagination as it is half-screened by trees and the windows look particularly dark; it appears for all the world like a haunted house, or a house with secrets out of a novel.

The trees being to thin out to the right and the water meadows come into view. The path crosses a stream over a wooden bridge and the path rises to Brambridge Road. There is a blind corner by the railway bridge to the left, so best to be quick getting across to the continuing Itchen Way straight ahead. At the start of this section of the Way is a tiered weir where the water again tumbles in a frothy mass of bubbles. Once this noisy water feature is left behind the surrounding area becomes more rural and the water and the path become more serene, making pleasant walking in the sunshine, up to the next road.

Across the road rises the imposing grey Brambridge House which was home to Mrs Fitzherbert, the unacknowledged wife of King George IV. The route leaves the Itchen Way and turns right along the road and over the bridge past Brambridge Garden Centre. There is a restaurant here and picnic tables in the grounds. I only stopped to buy a Mars Bar; next time I'll take a snack with me! 85p for a Mars Bar???

According to my guide "Waterside Walks in Hampshire" by Peter Carne, the route goes past the Garden Centre and goes right at the next footpath fingerpost. There were two horses on chains in the field (I was very glad to see they had big water buckets) but in the one after was a large black horse running free. You may call me a wuss, but I prefer where possible to avoid large animals in open fields. In my experience, they can be unpredictable and petted horses can be a nuisance.

So, I consulted my hand-made map - when I say hand-made, I've taken two OS Explorer maps, placed the parts of the two maps that overlap together and photocopied them to make one easy to follow map.
I was about to retrace my steps along the Itchen Way but there is a new footpath being laid alongside the road that runs past the Garden Centre and being a curious walker ("where does this path go?") I decided to follow it to Brambridge Road, cross over and go along the undesignated road past the Dog and Stick, a hairdressers' and a row of cottages. There is a choice of footpaths beyond the cottages and I chose the one through a broken metal fence, over a stile and uphill across a green field with a large tree in it. This comes out through a kissing gate at the top on to Bishopstoke Road. I turned right along here. The traffic was light but I had to take note of blind corners and walk on the side of the road I was most likely to be seen by all.

As the road slopes down a white house comes into view further along the road, and modern homes atop a rise to the right. The hedge stops and a footpath goes to right and left of the road across open fields. I turned right towards the modern houses, over a step-stile on to a tarmac path which is easy to follow down and around until it runs parallel to a woodland where a track goes off into the trees. I wasn't sure whether this was what I required or whether I should keep to the footpath. My choice was decided for me by three large guard dogs which came hurtling across a drive way to run up and down the (inadequately high, in my opinion) fence, all doing their duty with unwarranted enthusiasm. I like dogs, I don't like big barking dogs with evidently fine white teeth!

I went back and took the woodland track where I met a nice lady with a large black friendly dog. We commented on the day and the barking dogs, as you do, and went our separate ways.

The track heads down clearly through the trees to a metal access gate which opens in to a conservation area. Straight ahead are the river and wooden gate and fencing. To the far right a path emerges from behind houses; to the immediate right another path comes out through a metal farm gate. There appears to be a path going off to the immediate left but this is an illusion. The path required to complete this walk goes off half-left across the meadow heading towards some pylons. There is another metal access gate and a wooden bridge over a stream into another field across which the path runs clearly to a wooden gate into a woodland.

The woodland rises steeply and the path, which heads diagonally right, is inset with steps where the way is steepest. Excellent stretching for the legs. As a thought, it might be interesting to do the walk in reverse next time …

Eventually the path levels out and runs between fence and trees to another gate which comes out on to Bishopstoke Road once again. The route is right out of the gate. There is a pavement on the east side of the road but I chose to walk along the narrow verge on the west side. Little blue and white water vole stickers on lamp-posts mark the way along the road, past the church and an old white walled and black-timbered thatched cottage on the left, round a corner and turns right on a path between a retirement home and an open green. There were some old tombstones lined up against a wall on the far side of the green when I walked along here; a bit insensitive so close to a retirement home …

The path continues on beside a concrete wall decorated with graffiti, for which someone has apologised in white spray paint, with the message: "Sorry about your wall." There is something amusing and rather disarming about that, I thought.

And from here the way re-crosses the Navigation back on to the path where it runs long beside the Recreation Ground and comes back to the car park.

Bramshaw Backwards

30th July 2009

All day it had been sunshine and showers so I dragged my waterproofs along with me. Didn't need them in the end.

My previous walk around the woodlands had been so pleasant I thought I'd go back for more, only this time in reverse. It does give you a different perspective of a familiar place.

There was a group of deer grazing just inside the gate. Being dark in shadows I didn't see them until I was climbing over the stile, by which time they clocked me and shot off into the trees.

Further down the path I came to the farm with many dogs. They seem to appear from all directions and run up and down the fence continuously barking.

I also heard and saw an owl flying. In the middle of the day? It was still an owl. It soared across the trees in front of me and out across a random cropfield in the middle of the woods. The crop they grow here is sweetcorn.

The sun was out just about all the time and being late afternoon and the height of summer the light in the woods was beautiful, and very photogenic. The Forest is showing the maturity of its colours now, although the bracken is just starting to turn.

Lyndhurst, Denny Wood, Parkhill

16th July 2009

A 5 miler on a dry, sometimes sunny day, hot and humid but not unpleasantly so.

I started from Park Pale Car Park along Beaulieu Road (the one after Bolton's Bench), climbing up the sandbank to The Ridge and dropping down the other side out of sight of the road but still walking parallel to it. The paths are sandy and wind through gorse and heather. There are big views to the east across the moorland, pink and purple with new heather flowers, trees in the distance and a herd of deer grazing its way across. I came back to the road before it dips down and up again towards Matley Ridge, crossed over and past a low barrier on to a grassy track down through trees. This winds down and around and goes off in various directions further along. I chose a path left through pine forest which eventually comes to a bridge over a little river and climbs gently to a gate into Denny Inclosure.

Again, this is a pretty place to walk along. I followed the main path through although there are lots of tempting paths leading off and was rewarded for it by the sight of a doe and a fawn on the path ahead. Fawns are even funnier than the adults when they bounce away.

The path comes to a gate and a four-way junction. I opted to go straight across through the next gate into Parkhill Inclosure from where I had intended to go east eventually across Shatterford Bottom down to Beaulieu Road Inn, but I decided to change my mind. Not usually recommended as my sudden mind changes do not often work out well. I left Beaulieu Road Inn for another day and ambled off westward along the tracks and paths of Parkhill until I came out through a gate on to Beechen Lane. This is a cycle track but as such tracks go, this is really nice. The trees come down low over the path and there are many other paths and rides off the main way.

I decided to turn along one of the rides between Parkhill and Park Ground Inclosures, all green grass with muddy bits - it's fine as long as you watch your feet. All at once I looked to my right and spotted a little gate into Park Ground. I'm not usually whimsical on my walks. This time I thought I'd have an exploration.

Through the gate and a tiny path winds up through thick bracken through trees. There are indistinct pathways off this little way but I continued on up to a T-junction with a wide, clear path and turned right back to Beechen Lane. Across this and through another gate into Pondhead Inclosure on a rather less charming greenway than any of the others. This soon bends round to another T-junction and turning right comes through a deerproof gate past houses and back to Beaulieu Road.

I crossed the road and climbed about half way up the ridge, turning left on to a pony track through bracken with Lyndhurst church spire rising in the distance, to head back to the car park.

Bramshaw Telegraph

9th July 2009

Another lovely walk, this time outside the New Forest Boundary along the byway, foot- and bridlepaths through Fanchises Wood and Quar Hill Plantation.

The paths are well laid-out and the byway part of the route allows all traffic and more like a long drive, good enough to support 4x4s and tractors.

Bramshaw Telegraph is the name of the car park within the New Forest National Park. Then entrance to the woodlands is just across the road past Hope Cottage. The exit (or alternative entrance, if walking the route the opposite way, as I do later on) is about 100 yards further along the road.

Through the south-easternmost gate then and the track descends and descends (which of course has to be accounted for later) through dense woodland of oak, beech and pine. Don't get tempted off the permitted paths, the woodlands are privately owned on all sides. The trees open out and there's an open area which is rather scraggy although there is a large buddleia bush to one side. Across this area and through a gateway to pass between cow pasture where they graze huge Friesians. The cows are separated from the path by trees and what looks like a single strand of barbed wire. The beasts were peering at me through the trees as I stepped aside to let the tractor pass.

Be vigilant about where the byway is as the path forks quite often and it can take a double-take to see which way you are allowed to go. Clear signposting is made use of which is very handy.

Leaving the cow pastures behind, and being sure to take the left path at the fork, the way passes through the pleasant woodland as the photograph above. A little further on, there has been some maintenance work carried out along the path with trees felled and large ditches or channels cut into the side of the path which may look a bit unsightly until it begins to grow over once more. Past this, however, the path comes back into lovely woodland again and up to another junction. Keep round to the left along a rather rutted but otherwise pleasant path, lined with rhododendrons. It looks like this was once a very formal drive up to Hamptworth Lodge which is hidden in the trees somewhere to the north.

The byway continues along to emerge at a road later on. Before this, there is a clear bridleway which leads off the bridleway to the left, heading south-west. The path goes past one of the most picturesque cottages I have seen, nestled within the wood. Past the cottage and a barrier and on through more beautiful woodland, passing meadows of long grass. Where the path bends sharply to the right the path seems to be impassibly overgrown with tall bracken. The path does go clearly through it, however, and it doesn't last very far, running on into denser woodland than before. This may potentially not suit people who are claustrophobic, as the path is narrow and the trees are very densely packed, but it is a lovely place to walk.

Eventually the junction is reached with tall pines rising across the way and an excellent wide footpath running north-west/south-east. I'm sometimes a bit wary of footpaths marked on maps as they can be narrow, nettly and unkempt. This one most certainly is not and is of the best New Forest type, being broad with a surface of grass and gravel, good walking in all weathers. Right, the path goes to a road; my way lies to the left.

The environment changes and changes again. The path runs mostly through woodland with now and then fields opening out one side or the other and there is an area of common land further along.

I did get a bit confused towards the end of the walk as the main path slopes downhill and appears to bend around to the left. Well, it does, but the actual permitted footpath continues straight ahead through low bracken on a grassy way, over a plank footbridge and under some low-branching trees. Here is the compensation for the descent at the beginning of the walk. The ascent is not so long but it is steeper, up through the trees to a farmstead where they have many, many dogs of all different breeds including a great alsatian with a very deep bark. Fortunately there is a good, sturdy gate. The path goes to the right (don't go left, the dogs go crazy!) and still climbs quite steeply up through reddish woodland to the exit gate.

Out of the gate, the land opens out again and you are once more within the New Forest boundary. From here, it's a short walk up the road, past the fork and back across the road to the car park.

East Meon to Butser Hill

29th June 2009

Maps used: OS Explorers 119 and 120 + photocopier and sellotape!

This was a lovely walk. 3 1/2 hours exhilarating walking in beautiful warm sunshine with extensive views of Hampshire. 3 birds of prey, swifts and rabbits seen. Accompanied all the way up by the song of skylarks. Exercise for the legs and always something to look at. A fabulous day altogether.

The walk starts from East Meon, a charming example of a typical Hampshire village.

For the car park, take the right hand turn in front of the church set against the slope of Park Hill above the road, and follow the road round to the right past Ye Olde George Inn, a 15th century coaching house, and follow the signs for the car park. This is spacious and free.

The walk starts from the car park, heading south along a footpath past the community centre and steps left on to a park in front of houses. Continue through a small housing estate to a country road and turn right. Follow this road round (there's no pavement but it's quiet) to a wide signposted concrete track which rises between crop fields and passes to the left of farm buildings. The path continues round and then down through more crops to a crossroads. To the right is a track called Halnaker Lane; ahead and to the left is the South Downs Way. The path ahead comes eventually to Old Winchester Hill. The path left is that required on this route. It is a restricted by-way and like many such tracks is somewhat enclosed by hedges and trees. Being on the South Downs routes the path climbs steeply in places. Not recommended in wet weather as the path is chalky and I found that insect repellent is a good idea, particularly in hot weather.

Towards the top of this part of the route, the views begin to open out. To the left are views over Small Down and Wether Down towards Butser Hill and glimpses of the valley in which Petersfield sits. The views to the right are somewhat more open looking towards Old Winchester Hill and the Meon Valley behind and the spread of west Hampshire further over.

I was passed by two cyclists hurtling back down the way I was going up. The path isn't smooth. It's fairly rutted with a lot of loose stones.

Past the pylons and Wetherdown Barn the path drops slightly down to Mercury Park. This is quite interesting. There is some science facility here which I found difficult to ascertain whether it's still in use or not. The wire fences are topped by great rolls of razor wire and there's a security entrance but there was no one about. Unless it's part of the Sustainability Centre on the other side of the road, which is also interesting as this is the site of the South Downs Natural Burial Site.

The excellent thing about walking through Mercury Park is that there is a good wide pavement part of which goes down through pleasant trees past some very nice houses. At the triangle junction, the pavement gives out but the road is fairly quiet and at the next junction, Hyden Cross, there is a small grass area with a bench opposite a white cottage, which looks out over the countryside. Lovely place to stop for a break.

After a quick bite and some water, I crossed the busier road to the continuation of the South Downs Way directly ahead. This is a pleasant broad path which climbs gently up through trees with views of the countryside to the left and Hyden Wood (private woodland, unfortunately) to the right - a dense woodland that doesn't let much sunlight through and has a red-brown look to it.

As the views close to the left and open out to the right where the woodland ends (I could just see the white of the Science Station on Portsdown Hill far away south) the path comes up to the road which rises to Butser Hill (Limekiln Lane). The tarmac road goes on up to the Car Park (a fee is charged here - £1 for the day). There are picnic tables up by the information hut, and there are toilets, but no refreshments. (There is an information centre and cafeteria a short walk down Butser Hill at the Queen Elizabeth Country Park. Car Parking at the country park is also £1 for the whole day)

Limekiln Lane continues as a restricted by-way just below the car park beyond a steel barrier with a "No Motor Vehicles" sign. The Lane is chalk and not recommended in wet weather. It is also rutted and fairly steep in places. There is a footpath along a bank above the main chalk path. After a while the way forks. The right fork descends precipitously down Rakes Bottom to the Nore. Left, Limekiln Lane continues, in the latter stages becoming earthy rather than chalk and later descends fairly steeply to Lethe House Farm where there is a sturdy gate between the path and the dog; a beautifully laid out dressage arena, and some rather fine horses. The gentleman who was watering the dressage arena was nice and called out "good afternoon".

The way now comes to a lane. My way turned left along to Cumber's Lane, which has a traffic regulation order and is blocked to traffic by a large concrete barrier. Walkers, riders and cyclists are still permitted but the path has been churned up by 4x4 vehicles and motorcycles which are no longer permitted to use the path, for obvious reasons. The path becomes a little more stable further on until a 5-way junction of TRO paths.

As I didn't know the area before I started, of course I couldn't know what kind of paths I might encounter. I chose to go immediately left past Greenway Copse. The path is firm but rather scraggy, the grass worn away and rather weedy. As the path passes the Copse there is an intriguing wrought-iron gate which seems to stand alone against the dense dark trees. The path eventually emerges on to a very narrow, very quiet lane between fields and outlying cottages of East Meon and overhung with trees.

Looking at my map, there was another route I might have taken from the 5-way junction to Frogmore, just outside East Meon. I might look at that another day.

It doesn't need to be all roadwork back to the car park. There is much to see that is pleasant and interesting in the village.

Coming along the road and over the river, there is a footbridge which goes back over the river to a footpath running in front of cottages and across a small green; past a tiny pasture with a couple of young, nervous bullocks in it and the back of the old Court House. There is a small gate at the top of the path, past tennis courts, and you emerge on to the main road from West Meon. Across the road is the beautiful All Saints Church with a wooden lychgate and a bus stop just beside that.

Back round past Ye Olde George Inn and to the car park once more.

Acres Down (real-time)

28th June 2009

I took my journal with me today and wrote in "real-time" rather than in hindsight.

Is there a better use for an all-weather map than using it as a mat to sit on in the roots of an oak tree on the bank of a river?

I'm at Highland Water, again, heading back towards Acres Down and hoping it stays quiet for a little while. Strangely, I've just met again the woman I passed the other day who was sitting on a fallen tree reading her book, just up the path to my left. She was with her dog and her husband this time.

It's been a pleasant walk, if not so sunny. Indeed, it was beginning to spit with rain as I drove down but apart from a couple of spit-spots, no rain so far.

I was hoping to find a path through Mark's Ash Wood (who is Mark?) from Bolderwood Drive this time, but it looks like it's grown over or been otherwise lost. I couldn't find any kind of clear start to it so I came back another, possibly much nicer way. Along Bolderwood Drive, up through a small car park on to a path beyond a barrier and through lovely woodland over the bridge I found the other day from the other side. I'm pretty sure I "zoned out" for a while, then I got here.

There's the warm sound of pigeons and other birdsong, other than that just the scratch of my pen on the paper. I feel very content away from the scream of children and thump-muzak at home - driven out I was! :-) and grateful for it now. I could have done with some insect-repellent but it's only a couple of midges and a buzzer (a what-what?). And there are fish in stream!

There's something tapping somewhere (it was ponies crunching about in the undergrowth) and the fish are still jumping. I've been here about 1/2 an hour. I think I might move on.

Acres Down

22nd June 2009

I'd decided I was going for a walk and chose Acres Down. I got up in good time and then whiffled around for ages doing other things, so I wasn't ready to go until about 1.45pm. Then I forgot my boots (how?), after which the road to the motorway from home was "Police-Closed" (I never did find out why). I turned back, found another way around and still managed to hit my revised target time to reach my destination as the M27 was clear.

Driving through Minstead was fun. Cows everywhere. On the verges, on the road. They were very purposeful wherever they were heading at 2.20 in the afternoon. It was very amusing, driving at cow walking-pace. I even got overtaken by one! There were cars going my way, cars coming the other way, and at one point a man in a van had time to stop and ask me for directions to a Farm. And cows everywhere. At the fork, all the cows decided to go left. All the traffic (about 3 cars) went right!

Having reached my objective, I put on my boots and set off, deciding to go around the lower path that runs along the side of Acres Down and into Highland Inclosure, rather than going over the Down. I'm pretty sure the lower path is not marked on the map - all paths seem to go over according to that.

It was interesting to watch the behaviour of a group of ponies in this shallow valley. There was an obvious leader, a grey mare. She led them right across the path in front of me (as they do) then she trotted on ahead while the first little band of the group sort of ambled along behind until she stopped in a grove of trees. The first band caught up with her, then the next lot followed down. The one in the lead of this group was black with a Black Beauty star and two or three others behind and they all trotted down to the grove of trees. It was interesting to watch the way they trotted, they moved so easily and naturally with a gait to make a dressage rider weep for joy. You try getting that smooth, natural pace on demand! The ponies went off into the thicker woodland beyond and I walked on.

I went past a tree full of chaffinches! and down into woodland through a gate where I stopped for a moment just to enjoy the surroundings and the quiet.

So on, and following much the same route I've trodden before, over a bridge, left at a T-junction and over the ford at Highland Water. As I walked along the path something moved in front of me. I thought it was an old leaf but it was moving strangely and when I looked closer it was a little rust-coloured toad.

A little further along, I came across a woman sitting on an old fallen tree reading a book with a little terrier snuffling around on a long lead. "Typical!" I thought, wryly, "you think you've found a bit of peace to read your book and someone comes along. " We exchanged "good afternoon" and I walked on.

I went straight up to a gate out of the Inclosure to a road and was trying to find a path that, according to the map, should go over two footbridges through Mark Ash Wood but the only footbridge I found was in the wrong direction and everything else was overgrown with bracken. So I returned to the road and found another gate back into Highland Water Inclosure. It was time to be heading back.

I came down through trees to a cycle track and decided to follow this back to the car park. The sun came out but not for long as the clouds regrouped. It was becoming hot and rather hunid.

The walk was lovely and the whole day was full of interesting stuff, what with the cows, the ponies, chaffinches and the toad. I had a very relaxed and content afternoon.

And when I got home, I discovered I'd driven all the way back in my boots!

Pig Bush

19th June 2009

New Forest Car Park - Pig Bush

There is a path from the car park running west down through the trees to the Nature Reserve, an open area of moorland; at the head of the path is an information panel giving the layout of the Reserve and outlining the path around it.

However, I was going further afield.

I followed the path down through the trees and turned left along the edge of the Reserve, soon to turn north-west over a footbridge. Flowering shrubs were growing over the river.

I followed the path to a gate into an Inclosure but turned right here and followed the line of the fence towards the railway bridge. This is a long climbing slope over boggy ground and then the bridge itself. There is a notice here for riders to dismount, presumably in case the sound of the train or a sudden claxon causes the animal to bolt. There are high shields put up so that the trains are hidden from view.

After the bridge, I went through the gate across from it into Denny Inclosure and up a lovely grass slope with foxgloves lining the path. I had an idea of fairies sleeping in the foxgloves and when they leave for the day, the bees come and clean out the flowers.

At the top of the slope, part of the path was closed off for reinstatement of a bridleway churned up by forest logging. I wanted the path left anyway.

I was supposed to keep going until the cycle track down to LadyCross. Well, it looked like a cycle track, being gravelled and wide, and I suppose I should have marked the absence of cycle trail posts, but I didn't. The way ahead I realised later I should have continued along looked really overgrown so I turned down what I thought was the cycle track. (I'm not too hot on distances and could really use a pedometer to help me).

I came back to the railway, as I should have done, only a little short of where I should have been. More fun than merely going over another railway bridge, though. You have to actually cross the railway here at Railway Cottages (with barking dogs). I haven't done this since the Mottisfont Walk.

Across the railway, then, and through another gate into another Inclosure. Following this cycle track round, there were a couple of grass paths leading off it but barred and signed "Deer Research - No Entry. Good thing I hadn't planned to go that way!

I passed two joggers with a cheery good morning on each side and soon out of the Inclosure on to the cycle track down to LadyCross that I should have struck earlier.

LadyCross is a sprawling pile with impressive black entrance gates flanked by trees and bushes and a black mailbox.

On towards the road that winds to left towards Brockenhurst. A path cuts alongside the road then bends back on to a drive that goes to two hidden cottages (How DO people get to live in these places?) and also forks off on to a path over a low barrier into the loveliest of woodlands.

The path winds gently through old oak trees with heavy-laden branches coming down low over the path. Then further on opens out into a glade. The sun had come out by now and it looked very inviting, so I stopped here and sat on the lawn to eat my energy bar and drink water.

I took several photos of the woodland on the way through, and then I saw the Two Trees - well, that was my first thought as they were literally side by side and intertwining their branches. Then as I looked again, it struck me that they appeared to be dancing and I imagine in a strong wind the illusion would be even stronger. And so I called the photograph the Last Dance of the Ent and Entwife, which will mean little to anyone who has not read The Lord of the Rings.

And so I left the dancing trees and wandered on through the woodland to another cycle path, turned right through a gate into the next Inclosure heading for what on the map looks like a river or stream.

It's called Worts Gutter. It's rusty brown and it smells of rot or something. I walked along the track next to it for a way until I came to a green path going left and having re-plotted my route turned up this and then first right on to a similar path. These paths are of the type that look overgrown and as if they might be dreadfully boggy, but these particular paths although clumped with long grasses have clear narrow paths through. The latter came up to a clearing called Moon Hill and did become a bit hoof-pocked, which being thoroughly dried needed attention to avoid turning an ankle.

At the T-junction my way went right and down through a gate on to more open heathland. There is a track to Beaulieu straight ahead, but my way lay to the left through a ford and on along a pleasant grass path to a crossroads of five paths. I had planned to take the way ahead. However, this was evidently a well-used ride and rather churned up so I changed tack again and chose the path going north and a little west. This winds up through woodland and although likely to be very muddy in winter was a delight today.

I have to say by this time I had been hemmed in by trees for a good while and was beginning to hanker for some open space. It didn't help that the sun had vanished and everything was beginning to look rather morose under increasingly leaden skies.

Soon I came out to Tantany Wood. I wonder if the labelling on the map is a bit misleading here because Tantany Wood turns out to be a clear, wide lawn dotted with trees and must look lovely on a late summer evening when the deer come out to graze.

There isn't a path exactly across the lawn but the layout of the trees makes a veritable avenue towards the woods on the far side.

There is a good track through the woodland which comes to the edge of the Nature Reserve and also bends around through more trees towards Beaulieu Road. These trees are the interior of the beautiful line of woodland you drive past along the Road, and as I had long wanted to see what the interior was like I turned right towards the Road.

It had begun to rain, and I got some atmospheric shots of the trees.

At length to the road and I was by now happy to see it. I'd had a slight headache all day on and off. However, I'm still glad that I got out and walked around for 3 1/2 hours.

Turn alongside the road here and follow the track down to the stream which is crossed by stepping stones - made of concrete. And then along an easy track through trees, across Culverley Car Park, down through trees again to emerge at the edge of the Nature Reserve once more. From here, along the path, turn right up through the trees and return to the car park.

It would have been nice, of course, if the sun had shone all the way but I was going on this walk today whether it shone or not.

Later that evening, standing looking out of my kitchen window, the clouds had fled and the sun was glowing in a clear summer sky. Maybe I should have waited ...

Short walk around Upham

13th June 2009

A very quick 3 miler around this pretty little village.

While walking through the cropfield up towards Street End I realised that in the distance I could clearly see The Rosebowl Cricket Ground with Telegraph Wood rising behind.

When I reach the road past the farmhouse, where I had continued along to Stephen's Castle Down previously, I turned off instead along the footpath/cycle trail that runs down to Bigpath Farm, across the road that runs past there into Upham and along up the continuation of the same old path.

And instead of continuing to the end of the path down to the road opposite another farm, I turned up along the footpath at the top of the hill which is fenced all the way alongside cow pasture. The youngsters I'd seen here the time before were all gone and the field being rested.

There were cows further along.









The views from this path along the little downs at this point are very picturesque and it is a very pleasant walk for an hour or so, and not far from home.

I met a chatty soul with a small black spaniel (which sat down for a fuss and then got bored and trotted off) along the path. I said goodbye to the cows and continued on to the end of the path and back into the village.

Turning left to return to the duck pond there is a pub The Brushmakers Arms on the right hand side, which adheres to the country opening times (11pm - 3pm and 6pm - 11pm). They also serve food.

Cheesefoot Head to Owslebury - all the way!

1st June 2009

Park at Cheesefoot Head car park on the A272

I couldn't get to Owslebury from the south, so I came at it from the north! There it sits on its hill in the sunlight defying me, viewed from the South Downs/Kings Way.

I'd originally planned to follow the same route at the start as I had taken previously from Cheesefoot Head. However, part of the route goes along a bridleway through MOD land so I chose to do the walk in reverse from that planned so that if the red flags were out I had time to adapt the route at the start, rather than having to cobble something together at the end.

So, I struck out north westward along the South Downs Way towards Winchester with panoramic views to the south and west. The top of the Spinnaker Tower, Portsdown Science Station, the Isle of Wight, Fawley Tower and Southampton squatting by the River.

As the path wound up and around towards Chilcomb, the view north opened up and the Intech Science Centre came into view beside a lovely Down that has no Access.

There's a choice of footpaths down into Chilcomb. I chose a path through the barley field and down through a well sign-posted woodland. Note for the future: going along wooded paths, put on insect repellent!

Chilcomb is very small and very pretty and there is an 11th century Church at its southernmost tip just before the lane becomes a bridlepath and heads up through a gate into the MOD land.

I visited the church, which is tiny and very peaceful. They have a birdgate to prevent birds flying into the church and a polite notice asking walkers to remove muddy boots. After signing the book and taking a couple of photographs I continued up to the gate.

The red flag was down and the gate standing open. I took that as a sign and as I didn't get shot at I guess it was OK. The bridlepath goes up through more lovely woodland with views over the shooting range below and out across a field up to Morestead Race-track, otherwise known as Morestead Road which comes down into Winchester further on. It was about 6.15pm. The tail-end of the rush hour.

Cross the lane (at a run!) and on to White Lane, a footpath that passes through trees and past open fields. It was all beautiful on this particular day as the sun was beginning to fall to the west and the young green crops and grass and trees were shot with gold.

White Lane comes to a crossroad with Pilgrim's Way coming down from Twyford Down. Turn left here and walk past the wide wheatfields and the racehorse hurdles. Continue down between pasture returning to Morestead Lane and cross over into Mare Lane. This is a quiet road through a veritable tunnel of trees all the way up.

I paused at the signpost on to Monarch's Way which here goes down to Twyford Village and then continued on my way to Owslebury.

At the junction of Mare Lane, Whites Hill across from this, and Hatchers Lane crossing them both, there is an excellent path through a large wheatfield. Towards the far side in front of a hedge was a deer grazing and as I was downwind of it I got quite close before it saw me and shot off through the hedge. Which way my path also lay, climbing steeply between another cropfield and a paddock. The deer was now standing in the middle of the second cropfield watching me. I took some photographs and the last I saw of him, he was picking his way through the field back to the hedge.

At the top of the path there were new-planted trees and the path came out across a farmyard, between pony paddocks and further on between a school and a house, coming down to the road through Owslebury.

The village is small and rather ordinary. I continued out of the village eastwards and turned up the lane just beyond the edge of the village. I was looking for the pub and it's quite easy to miss if you don't know it's there. It's a house with the word "Arms" in its name. I only know it's there because it's where we stopped with horse-box and horses many years ago to ride up Fawley Down.

I continued on up the road to find the bridleway which on the map is called Staggs Lane. It comes once again to Morestead Road, which by now was much quieter being around 7pm.

Across the road is Honeyman Lane, another bridleway up through trees which comes to a crossroads with Warren Lane. Over the crossing, Honeyman Lane becomes the King's Way once more, but I chose to turn left along the permissive cycle track past the Old Down Plantations.

I checked out the field where I had once before failed to find the footpath through as it had been overgrown with dead bean plants. Today, the path was clearly marked through the crop.

On along the greenway and out through the gate on to the hard stony path through the fields of corn and rape.

The sun was by now hanging golden an hour above the west horizon. Any clouds there had been were fled. And the green fields were glowing gold in the lovely evening light.

3 1/2 hours and weary legs later back to the car.

Upham to Owslebury - nearly

30th May 2009

I had this walk all planned and then had to alter and cutail it due to cows and lost or stolen trail.

Park beside the duck pond and from there walk back past the church and turn right up the hill until you see a footpath sign and a stile over a fence into a paddock.

This is part of the Monarch's Way, going over another stile into a wheatfield. Follow the edge of the wheatfield and the Way is later met by Widler's Lane. The Way passes straight down through a woodland called The Rookery and then proceeds through a gate across a field to a gate at the top. Today there were young Highland Cattle in the field ...

In the The Rookery there is a footpath that goes off to the right from the Monarch's Path and eventually comes out at a cropfield. Turn left and follow the field edge round until another footpath sign pointing up through another cropfield. This passes some kind of small racetrack or horse exercise area and comes to a T-junction with Rowhay Lane, which forms part of the King's Way coming down from the north-east to join the Monarch's Way heading south east. Turn left along Rowhay Lane and where the Monarch's Way crosses at the gate to the field where the cattle were, turn right up through cropfields. The views open out at the path climbs, eventually reaching another T-junction through a large gap in high hedges beyond which Red Lane runs roughly north to south. Turn right along Red Lane until a four-way junction. Here, cross the junction to a gate through some rough woodland. This is now the Pilgrim's Trail. The woodland is mostly beech and becomes more pleasant further round, with dense woodland on the right of the path and views out over fields to the left. Eventually come down to a gate and out into a paddock with the path clearly marked through the grass up to another gate on to a drive. Turn down the drive to emerge on Lower Baybridge Lane.

From here, the Pilgrim's Trail on the map continues ahead easily through fields to Owslebury. On the ground, the Trail goes up a concrete track between pasture and is then lost. There is a gate into one of the fields - however, this field is horrendously muddy in wet weather and when dried out, is overgrown with rough stuff under which the ground is heavily pocked by cows and unpleasant to walk on. Further up the concrete path is where it seems the Trail is supposed to continue, and Owslebury Church rises tantalisingly close at the top of the hill beyond the fields. However, on the day I tried this route, the Trail was "blocked" off by orange tape right across where the path should be.

Not sure what to do, as there were no signs and I didn't know what was going on, I consulted my map and found an alternative footpath up through a field further along Lower Baybridge Lane.

I turned around, turned right along the Lane and found the footpath over an overgrown stile by a broken footpath sign (does someone want to put walkers off?). This field was no more pleasant to walk upon than the previous one, and - well, those who have been following my progress will know that I don't do cows. They are the devil's herd! And there were some large specimens quietly lolling about right where I wanted to go.

So, what to do? Consult the map.

I decided to curtail the walk as I was getting fed up with all the messing about. I went back down to Lower Baybridge Lane and turning right, continued towards Marwell House. The Lane emerges on to Thompsons Lane. Here I turned left and soon came to Marwell House where a footpath passes between the House and a cottage or farm.

I soon became glad that I'd chosen this alternative, as the footpath continues between fencing on a good path and passes between fields and over a couple of stiles into a cropfield, past a hedge (don't get tempted along the field edge inside the hedge, go past the hedge, the path continues behind it) and through pleasant woodland past more fields, coming eventually to the tarmac part of Red Lane. Left the Lane continues as a restricted byway; to the right you can walk along the Lane or follow a footpath along the field edge parallel to the road. The footpath is OK for a while but becomes overgrown in the latter stages. I found the road the easier alternative, as it is more a driveway to the Farm than an actual thoroughfare.

At its southern end, Red Lane bends round sharply to the right but there is another restricted byway off to the left which passes the end of Rowhay Lane and continues along Popes Road emerging at the main road into Upham. At this junction turn left and walk through this lovely village back past the church to the duck pond.

Brockenhurst to Wilverley

22nd May 2009

I parked at Long Slade View , overlooking the disused railway and Hincheslea Bog towards Hincheslead Wood. The wind was chilly when I got out of the car but off the hill top it got rather warmer and I shed my fleece. I'd even put my waterproofs in my rucksack because the clouds looked a bit iffy over Southampton. Over the southern part of the New Forest - clear blue skies and warm sunshine. Did I take the stuff back to the car? No.

The walk was lovely, from the bridge through which you pass to Hincheslea Bog, along the olf railway through an avenue of fir trees with views over the lawns to the left and up to Set Thorn Inclosure, and out over Hincheslea to the right.

The route passes through a succession of three bridges which I passed through in the opposite direction during the Sway walk in January. The path took me past the caravan site and eventually to the road between Yewtree Bottom and Wilverley Inclosure. (The railway track is interrupted here and continues later on the far side of the A35.)

I crossed the road and went down to the river. There being deep holes in the river bed, my only recourse was either over a slippery-looking tree trunk or over Wootton Bridge along the road. I took the latter choice, then turned right through a gate into Wootton Coppice Inclosure.

This is a pleasant walk and I left the cycle track for a footpath which bent its way round back to the cycle track eventually. I followed this until striking off right on to a footpath downhill through trees to a gate which opens out to a lawned area by the river, where yellow irises were giving back the yellow of the sunlight. A group of ponies were stood sleepily around a crashed-out mare and an equally crashed-out foal.

I crossed the river over the bridge and came to a side road off the A35. From here I had to follow the road round to the right and then turned left to walk along the verge past the tea rooms and restaurant to the Lyndhurst Road.

A nice man in a red car stopped for me to cross. Beyond is a little gate on to the continuation of the railway route. I passed through this and sat on the edge of the old platform to take on water and fuel.

From here I had originally planned to walk on up to Burley but decided instead to follow the Avon Water until I found a path going up towards Anthony's Bee Bottom. (This path is not shown on the map.) I came to another path heading east back towards Wilverley Inclosure.

Coming down to Station Road, there was a small mare with a dear little black foal which was standing in the road beside its mother, in total innocence holding up and diverting traffic around it.

Across the road, there is a pleasant track past boggy ground which then goes uphill and drops down again to pass under the A35 and again climbs up towards Wilverley Inclosure.

This is a nice place to walk although it has the appearance of being possibly the most obviously managed Inclosure for the pleasure of people. The paths are all clearly marked out, the arrangement of trees in places give it the appearance of an arboretum and there are benches placed around the Inclosure which you rarely get anywhere else in the whole Park.

So on and up and out through a gate on the far side of the Inclosure out on to the Plain. There is deep heather across the Plain and you must stick to the paths to avoid disturbing ground nesting birds. Heading east across the Plain, heading for Horseshoe Earth, the heather eventually gives way to a wide lawn full of ponies.

Across the road and along the path of Horseshoe Earth which I very much enjoyed. It's a low ridge looking North towards Rhinefield over Whitefield Moor; and south over the railway route towards Set Thorns.

The path I chose goes around the edge of Hincheslead Wood and then downhill over a footbridge and under the railway. Here I turned left along the green lawn to strike the path that runs out from Hincheslea Bog again and winds up through the gorse back to the car park.

I got barked at and then investigated by a young pointer that didn't really seem to know what it was trying to achieve. I ate my sandwiches and drove back towards Emery Down and the M3.

Short walk around Upham

24th May 2009

When the sun gets up, when the clouds fly away and the wind drops, how can anyone stay indoors?

This was a short walk due to time constraints, it was somewhere other than the New Forest and it was lovely.

Upham is a little village lying within the boundary of the new South Downs National Park. All around the countryside rolls and folds like a gently swelling sea.

The best place to park is by the pond in the village, although given more time it is quite possible to walk to Upham from my front door.

On this particular Sunday there was a wedding taking place in the church. At the T-junction by the pond there's a farmyard, and in the farmyard were "parked" a large black barouche drawn by four black horses. The barouche was decorated with white roses and each horse had a white rose in the headband of its bridle. Also in the yard was a smaller chaise drawn by two white Welsh Cobs. The driver of the barouche was quite happy for me to take a picture of the assembly. The background of grain silo and barn is unfortunate but the horses and carriages are very picturesque.

The walk begins a little along the lane left of the farmyard, along Monarch's Way which is on a good path though farmland, at first between crops.

Now, there was a light breeze blowing. Only it was blowing in an unfortunate direction. A gentle breeze on a warm day is pleasant on the face. However, when it is blowing across a pig-farm the country scent can be a little - um - "sharp" in the olafactory sense.

Should anyone else care to follow this walk, it is worth bearing with the aroma of the sties for a few moments. Coming down the hill, the smell actually dies away and you can enjoy the amusement of trying to tell what is pig and what is wallow. They looked very contented lying about in the mud.

Beyond the pigs is a fence and stile and another hill, going up. Steeply. This area seems from the signs on the fence by the stile to be a conservation area maintained by the farm. The field is all long grass with the path running through it to a windbreak of trees and a further stile at the top. This is good exercise for the legs!

Over the next stile the Way continues down and up between cropfields and round through the farmyard to the road. The route now lies left along the road which has good verges for avoiding traffic.

Where the road bends, there is a waymarked path going off on the right had side of the road, through a thicket. The path is narrow and falls and rises with the contours of the land. The trees and hedgerows soon clear and there is a lovely view over Stephen's Castle Down across the countryside as in the first picture above.

A little further on there is a kissing gate on the left which gives on to Stephen's Castle Down itself, which is designated Access Land. The little path winds down the slope to another kissing gate and across what is termed on the map as a Gallop. There is a sign by the gate requesting dogs to be kept under close control through this area.

This brings you to a lane on the other side of which a farm seems to snuggle in the fold and there are one or two other cottages around the farm.

Turn left along the lane and watch out for rabbits. They were everywhere as I walked along here.

The lane comes eventually up to a road, Stakes Lane, and the route turns left along here. This isn't a terribly busy road but it is well to be aware of cars in both directions. They can generally be heard before they arrive and it is possible to keep well in to the side of the road. Fortunately it doesn't take long to reach the little lane that runs left off this road. The lane crosses another road that runs from Winchester to Bishops Waltham and then proceeds quietly along under trees and alongside fields, eventually arriving back in Upham.

However, even quiet tarmac lanes can pall and there are some other more interesting paths to tread. There is a green lane that runs through Bigpath Farm. I'd skipped the south eastern stretch of this path to go across Stephen's Castle Down. Now, opposite the Farm, I turned right and walked up past a couple of cottages and towards the top of a hill, with pleasant views either side through the line of trees. Just after the top of the hill is a footpath that goes off left past cow pasture and is fenced off from the animals. I chose to continue on, come out at the next tarmac lane, turn left past the farm houses, and left again along Woodcote Lane, which is another green lane. This winds back up the hill and across the slope near the top into woodland, emerging at last on to the road which, turning right, comes back down into Upham. The footpath mentioned before comes out just along here as well.

And thus was a couple of hours rambled away in pleasant surroundings (in spite of the few moments' reek of pigs) on a beautiful day. I shall be returning to Upham in the near future to walk the footpath over the hill by the cow pasture, and also to walk a route to Owslebury which skirts Marwell Zoological Park on the return stint.

Cuckoos in the Rain

14th May 2009


I had to fit a walk into an hour this afternoon and I was trying to keep in the spirit of the Thursday Experiment. Fortunately it rained, so I had the opportunity to try out the Tilley hat and new waterproof trousers. Only I took the wrong trousers - I took my golfing ones, which are fine and work really well; they just don't have through-pockets to my cargo pockets where I keep everything. However, the pockets on my jacket have safety zips, so I used those instead.

I chose a route from Millyford Green that I haven't trodden before which goes south out of Holmhill Inclosure into Woosons and Holiday Hill Inclosures. As I wended my way to and over the ford in Holmhill there was a cuckoo calling ... and calling ... and calling ... The atmosphere of the Forest becomes quite eerie in the rain, although not unpleasantly so, and the cuckoo's insistent calling added to that quite different atmosphere. I have to admit to not having done a lot of walking in the rain. After today, I think I'm hooked and will look forward to rainy days again!

Having left Holmhill and crossed the road into the woodland beyond, a pleasant green path runs down into a narrow valley and up again. This must be generally a quiet place as there were deer grazing amid the new bracken. As I didn't know they were there I didn't take enough care to be quiet and disturbed them and off they went up the hill and through the trees.

There is a circular route of good gravel track within Woosons Inclosure with lots of interesting-looking pathways leading off, a lot of which have been churned up by felling operations. I do wish they'd find another way of getting around other than our footways!

As I walked along the southern stretch of the track I came across the incongruous carcass of a car. It looked like it had been there some time, and had been set on fire at some point, not very efficiently. I'd resolved to contact someone about this when I got home, then fortunately was passed by a New Forest ranger in his vehicle and managed to catch him up at a gate. He took the map reference and said he'd report it. I did a good thing!

Although this was not really in the nature of a true experimental walk, trying out a different area along unknown country ways, it was a lovely walk in conditions I haven't tried for a long time in gear that needed testing. The only very tiny gripe I might have is that I got a bit too warm, but the golfing trousers are lined and I had a hoodie on under the jacket as well as a base layer, so that would explain that. And I was walking quite fast.

And so back to the car to miss the rush hour and get home for work.

I did have to stop and sidle (not easy in a car, even a Ford Fiesta) past a foal that had decided the road was a good place to stand and have a rest. It jerked its head at me as I went wide around it but as far as I know it's still standing there ...

Tales from the River Bank

8th May 2009

This entry is verbatim what I wrote on the riverbank at Busketts Lawn. By the way, it didn't rain.

I started this walk feeling that sick-sensation that I think I must attribute to anxiety. About what? I couldn't say.

I am now sat on the bank of Bartley Water and I can see my "photograph" to my right. I have just walked along it.

I can't stop for long as it's taken me about an hour to get here. Despite the wind, I'm just wearing my base-layer top and sitting on my fleece which will need a wash!

The first cycle-track was pleasant and I met a very sweet-natured golden labrador who required head stroking and sat down beside me with a sweet expression. Apparently she can be quite growly and barky with nervous dogs.

The side track to Gutter Heath was pleasant enough, a bit hoof-pocked, but a narrow path ran alongside it. A gate and a footbridge, muddy stuff and then the heath with a boggy bit. I did the Forest-thing and put down bits of branch and twig to make a crossing. I used my compass to keep on track through the trees where there isn't a path and found Plain Green where there is a broad ride which is good going and makes a nice walk along the Green. I managed to confuse myself at one point when I wasn't paying attention, thinking I was heading west when I was actually heading N/E (which was what my compass was telling me!) - the way I wanted to go.

I followed the ride round to the right, negotiated the stream which later becomes the river, and passed through the gate into the Inclosure on bridleways that are easy to walk - for bridleways - not too much mud or pocks. Where the river comes down almost to the bridleway, I left the bridleway and hopped across the ditch on to the footpath beside the water. I followed the winding way to here, with the wind rushing through the treetops, the water nattering over the stones of the ford, and occasionally a snatch of birdsong. All green with glimpses of sun and no one about.

Ah well, it's half past 3 and I must make tracks back to the car. I wanted to be heading home at 4. Maybe half past, then. Hope the traffic's not too - oh damn! it's Friday.

What I didn't write because I was walking again by then, is that coming back to the gate at Yewtree Hill I noted that I was calm, relaxed, unanxious, unworried and had a general sense of well-being. I was chilled. I knew I'd be a little later back to the car and I'd curtailed the intended path along the river to the next footbridge, but time was bothering me on an any level I was aware of. I think I might take my journal with me on all my walks. Hm, I may need to unearth my rucksack again.

Ashurst Circular

5th May 2009

This was a blissful walk. All grey and windy over Southampton and many diversions around the 4pm rush hour (? - trust me!); all shiny and warm out in the New Forest. Peace, quiet, birdsong and singing streams.

I parked at Bolton's Bench, just down the road from the Lyndhurst Maserati showrooms. Boots and gaiters on, stick in hand (was I expecting mud?) and compass not far from reach I set off up alongside the drive to the cricket pavilion towards the cemetery where the walk really begins.

The underpass from this White Moor (there are several) to the golf course was muddy and puddly and the entrance full of ponies that looked like they started off knowing what they were doing and forgot half way down the track.

Round to the right of the golf course with much envy of two girls cantering along ahead on their steeds and into Rushpole Wood. Over the footbridge and following the route quite happily. Turn north west - still quite happily. Find the switchback path, heading north east - and still happy - pretty woodlands, lots of green, a bit rutted and muddy, last years fallen leaves turned brown and crunchy ... where's the path?

I found the south east one. I found the north west one. (Didn't look for the south west one, didn't want to go that way - either). Could I find the north east one? I can find north east on my compass but not on the ground. Oh well, the north west one will take me to Plain Green. Then that one dies.

Cast about. Cast about. I'm aiming for north east, so off I go. Sod it! And find the rest of the north west path (where did it go/come from?).

Arrive at Plain Green and to the right is the gate into the Inclosure. Off I go. And pass the exit to the north east path I was looking for.

Anyway ... off I go again. Happily find the footbridge and soon the gate into Busketts. A hoof-pocked track that can be avoided by a narrow path of necessity along the edge of the pine trees up to the cycle track. This wide reprieve doesn't have time to pall too much before I turn right and expect to come across the footbridge somewhere down the way. The path is pleasant, birds singing, a cuckoo calling and so descends one of those moments where you are suddenly aware of the peacefulness of your surroundings.

The river. No footbridge. A ford. And I think I've found the outskirts of Lothlorien (above photo).

The path to the ford has large cobbles in it and the ford itself looks like a broken bit of old road. The crossing is made of slightly submerged stepping stones. There are four corners of high bank all grassy and studded with speedwell, violets and other woodland spring flowers. The water sings over the stones, and here I stopped and sat on the bank to take in water and munch a bakey cakey.

As on Saturday, I discovered an unmarked path that runs alongside the river. It seems to wander away from the river at times, but only because the river is very windy. This was a digression from the route I had plotted, but I never turn down a riverbank ramble.

So out on to a cycle track again, a little way from the bridge and ford I crossed the last time I was in Busketts. I turned away from it this time, however, and along the cycle track for a little way before my way went off to the left. A left fork and to a gate and out on to Woodlands Road. Turn right here and at the end of the road left along Southampton Road over the railway and into Ashurst. Cross at the lights (buy a Mars Bar in the newsagents), turn right to go back over the bridge and soon turn left into Ashurst Caravan site.

Now, I thought kittens were cute, but the prize for cuteness must go to Shetland pony foals. They don't gangle like normal foals; they have little sturdy legs and are just ... CUTE!! There should be a law against that much cuteness.

I'm fine.

Past the Shetland mare and her foal (too cute!!) and on into the woodland alongside the railway. Two trains whizz past. I stop to take a photo of the bridge ahead through the trees - the open-worked wrought iron is painted a pale blue. Ponies were ambling along it, right in front of a cyclist, who was very good and patient; a few moments later he whizzed past me ...

Of course, the ponies took the path I was aiming for and as time was now getting on I didn't really have the option of changing course now. What made it slightly awkward was that two of the mares had very young foals with them. However, it's no problem to walk off the path to give them plenty of space and as they were keeping pace with the youngsters I soon past them. It was very touching to see the chestnut mare stop twice and touch her foal as if to reassure it.

The path goes around the edge of Ashurst Lodge and strikes out across the moor to Longwater Lawn through which bright green oasis in all the heather the Beaulieu River flows with white flowers in the rippling water. By now the light had become deep and rich and the surroundings green-golden.

Off the Lawn and across Foxhill Moor and into trees where the path remained clear ahead and soon out to White Moor again, with the sun gilding the trees and the pale ghost of the moon hanging in blue sky between lace ribbons of cloud.

I met a Springer spaniel which was keen to explain in visual terms why the breed is so called, bouncing after rabbits and bits of branch.

As the evening just got lovelier and lovelier, I came back alongside the stone wall of the cemetery and all the chaps in their whites playing cricket, just in time to see a well-taken wicket. Much polite applause, which clacks pleasantly on the air and sounds so English.

And so back to the car wrapped in a hug of blissfulness, that hasn't yet left me as I sit tapping at my keyboard and recalling the glow of the evening and the pleasure of the walk.