Kilmeston Circular via Beacon Hill

Saturday 25th February 2012

OS Map Explorer 132 - Winchester, New Alresford & East Meon
Car Parking ref: SU589258
Distance: 7 miles approx.

(photographs to follow)

This is a walk from the Southampton Ramblers programme, led by Pete. There were 23 of us altogether, all counted out and all counted back.

I declare today officially the first day of Spring. The sun came out in glory with plenty of warmth in it already, although the air was chillier in the later stages of the walk.

The walk starts from the lovely village of Kilmeston, just south of Cheriton and Hinton Ampner. There is a parking area beside the road, or it is possible to park on the green beside the road coming up from Bishops Waltham.

The way we were led today included a little lane walking through the village, which I personally quite enjoy, turning on to track left  where the road bends round to the right at the bottom of the slope. The paths are all excellent, through woodland and across fields without cows - a major bonus from my point of view as regular readers know by now.

There's a DEFRA nature reserve just south of Kilmeston where the path across a field emerges on to a fenced grass track between green meadows. The path climbs to a copse of pine trees and turns left towards woodland where the waymarkers lead the walker around a back garden converted into a mini golf course that even has a bunker or two! The path emerges on to a drive which comes down to the road and the way continues across the road into a field where it dodges left beyond a hedge and across a large field uneven underfoot.

We had a short break in a copse of trees before descending towards Wheely Down Farm for the climb up the north face of Beacon Hill. On the way down we saw a hare racing up a neighbouring field.

There is a steeper way up Beacon Hill from the village of Exton to the south east, but this side is a pretty good work out for the legs. The climb accomplished, across meadows, past a field of Highland cattle with their hairy Thelwellian calves, and up through Beacon Hill Beeches, following the Monarch's Way, we took our rest at the car park. Photos were taken, and photos of the photographer, while we variously ate bananas, drank water and basked in the sunshine. Other walkers and cyclists passed to and fro, and a lady with three large young Airedales.

We were called to order and set off again, eastward along the South Downs Way towards Lomer Farm and the site of the mediaeval village of Lomer. The trees that line the track being denuded of leaves, the view south opens out across freshly ploughed fields of sun-gilt dark-brown and green meadows, all folding into each other.

Past Wind Farm paths diverge. The South Downs Way continues north-west towards Winchester. Monarch's Way runs south and The Wayfarer's Walk goes down to the north back towards Kilmeston.
(Note: two and sometimes three LDPs can run together for some way before going their separate ways.)

Before descending the Wayfarer's Walk, it is worthwhile to pause by the stile and take in the stunning, extensive views out to the north, east and west. It's a hard choice when you start walking again between watching your feet and watching the diminishing view as you descend.

The first field we came into was being freshly ploughed, by a tractor with its attendant flock of inevitable seagulls. Through a gap in a hedge the path continued firmer underfoot across another field and beyond this the path descends to a track alongside paddocks. Here, there is a programme of planting young hedgerow stock to encourage wildlife.

There are two or three stiles along here which are something of a challenge for those not blessed with supermodel leg length.

Across a final small paddock and over one last stile on to the road in Kilmeston where we parked.

We were blessed with the weather, and this is another walk I will definitely put this route on my list of walks to revisit solo.

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.

Itchen Valley Country Park again

21 February 2009

As I didn't have a lot of time I elected to test a circular walk that would take in the Water Meadows of the Itchen Valley Country Park and the Itchen Way which runs along what used to be the tow path of the old Itchen Navigation Canal.

Gorgeous weather. All sunny and early spring warm with still that deep late afternoon golden glow just before the the sun goes down. The meadows are lovely - without the the cows - and will be more so when the green comes to tree and field. The cows will be back by then ...

My route took me from my front door to the Country Park (about 1 mile) where I went into the Visitor Centre to buy some honey (as I'd run out) and out the back door to walk down the slope to the bridge over the River. Rather unfortunately, the pathways alongside the River are "Private" and would make wonderful waterside walking. Oh well, there is another water course that runs through the meadows with footpaths over them. The ground is flat and the paths are well-marked out. Do be aware that beef stock are turned out into the meadows over the summer until October, and as well as being curious beasties they can churn up the ground. Wear good waterproof boots and gaiters, or wellingtons.

On this day, the ground had been rested and the going was very good. When I got to the far side of the Meadows from the entrance I had the choice of continuing around the perimeter of the Meadows or climbing the stile and walking along the Itchen Way. I chose the Itchen Way as that was my intention, and I was glad I did. Looking down into the Meadows from the Way, the signs didn't lie about the mud and standing water along the path.

This part of the Itchen Way runs past the airport, although you can't actually see into it. There are some little areas where the watercourse is level with, or even slightly above the lie of the path which can make the way a bit muddy. As long as you have good footwear, this is barely a mild inconvenience.

I am planning to walk the Itchen Way from Riverside Park all the way to Winchester one day in the summer. It's signposted as being 12 miles. The Way does extend a little further at either end, having its beginning in Cheriton, which is the source of the River Itchen, and ending in Woolston in Southampton.

There is a single irritation about the Itchen Way at this point where it runs alongside and under the M27. However, it is soon over and the motorway can be left behind by climbing over a stile into the water meadows on the other side and following the path through, and over the bridge pictured above. The White Swan pub is visible across the expanse. At the further end is another stile back out on to the path. By following the path round, over another bridge and through a smaller field, under Mansbridge Road and over the old stone bridge, you turn back on yourself this time on the other side of the river and the path will take you straight to the White Swan. They also have an excellent carvery.

After calling at the White Swan, the walk continues back under Mansbridge Road, past the old bridge and into Riverside Park. Home for me from here is about 1/4 mile.

The walk was very pleasant, if a bit gloopy here and there and will work as an excellent longer local walk - if I can brave the cows ...

Not a walking entry - an apology for absence

7th February 2009

My last walk was the day before yesterday, cold and grey and a blessing after the last fortnight. I followed a local route which I extended for a little way along the Itchen Way up towards the airport. Owing to the late afternoon and the light starting to dusk I turned back and found a delightful path across the water meadows which are part of the Itchen Valley Country Park. It made me feel very much that I live right on the edge of the countryside. Why would anyone choose the rat canyons of the city centre to living in the suburbs? I really feel my good fortune!

Now, you may be asking: where are my snow pictures? The recordings of the snowy walks I should have taken?

Well, thanks to the deterioration of the main cable carrying my telephone line I have been unable to access the internet. A nice man from the telephone company came and moved my line to the newer cable and now I'm back on track.

As for the snow pictures, I missed the opportunity for walking and photography due to frozen roads, accidents, sliding to a halt and then the "fun" (not!) of playing bumper cars with the traffic at 7 in the morning. The road became blocked (by the way, this is about 400 yards from my front door) by skewed cars and a stranded bus, with the emergency services having the same difficulties and only attending accidents where people were injured. What was quite interesting was my being the liaison between the police and the public, as I had called 999 and was in contact with a very pleasant woman who relayed information to me as she got it. In the end, those of us able to leave our cars at the side of the road were advised to do so and head on to wherever we were going.

The next day and driving through a blizzard coming home after work again at 7 in the morning, I ended up at my parents' house because they don't live on an "up and down" road that turns into a ski run at the slightest hint of snow.

So, why did I not get out to walk in it anyway, even around the local area with its parks and woodlands? I'm a night owl so my sleeping is during the daylight hours, and when not sleeping I was waiting for telephone calls and engineers.

Thank you for listening to my tale of woe. I am now on holiday and looking forward to getting out there again.

Whitefield Moor and Rhinefield

13 January 2009

For route details click here

Another self-plotted walk taking in some lovely views, as you can see from the photo, lots of mud, open plains, lots of trees and a lesson in fitting gaiters to make them properly waterproof.

The weather varied from very dark cloudy to bright sunshine and managed to choose to rain right when I chose to stop for a sandwich and a flask of tea. How does the weather do that?

I parked at Whitefield Moor Car Park. Be aware that there is a donation requested at this car park as at Blackwater with again a minimum suggested amount of £2. I was determined to go over White Moor this week so go I did, and an excellent walk it is too.

The land undulates along narrow paths between heather and bracken, currently asleep for the winter, passing between gorse bushes and alongside small copses. The first of several streams along the route is Silver Stream where the water is so clear it's like looking through clear glass to the stony bed. All the streams were swollen from yesterday's rain which made for a bit of fun later on. However, there is a good footbridge over Silver Stream and then the path rises up to pass either side of the copse on Holm Hill. From here are beautiful views such as the one above.

This path will eventually carry you on to Wilverley Plain but my way turned back on itself northwards leading down to another unnamed stream, which is crossed via some strategically laid logs. Here is where a walking pole comes in handy if you're none too sure of your balance. Ahead the path looks muddy but is pretty firm underfoot. Today there was a little streamlet formed along one of the little pathlets and at one point a tiny waterfall into a tiny pool.

On into Ferny Knapp Inclosure which has a lovely green path along the eastward path my route followed, between tall pines on the left and "Christmas" trees to the right. Out of the Inclosure once more and down across moorland to a river and a bridge ... umm, well, the bridge is sort of in the river ... The water has so overflowed the banks that the grassland around the bridge is flooded. Fortunately the ground is firm underfoot and a way to the bridge can be found if you are wearing good waterproof boots. The bridge itself is excellent being extended across the wide reach of this river which appears to be unnamed also.

On the other side of the bridge the path resumes, climbing uphill to a gate into Clumber Inclosure from where the route passes Rhinefield House Hotel and follows the line of the fence. There is another fascinating red brick building in the grounds about which I have not yet been able to find any information, but which I think may be Tudor in origin.

The path comes to Rhinefield Ornamental Drive and follows this a few yards to the cycle track that passes Rhinefield Cottage. The map I have is either out of date or in error, showing fences where they are not in Rhinefield Sandy's Inclosure and not showing fences where there are such. However, the ford is where it is supposed to be and with the Black Water being full from yesterday's rain the ford was running quite high. Confident with my gaiters on I strode forward. And water dribbled into my boot. Thanks to my lovely socks, the damp didn't last long as I walked on.

The sky was becoming ominously dark at this point but I'd decided I was going to stop for a break in Blackwater Arboretum. So I did, at a picnic table beside a Leylandii. And it began to rain ... Fine. I drank my tea, picked up my sandwich and strode on, nothing daunted, and ate as I walked.

Across the Drive and Blackwater Car Park and into Poundhill Inclosure, on to a cycle track heading south east and soon left on to a grass track down to a gate into a small enclosure of lawn and gorse with areas of strange grass mounds. I don't know what they are either or what causes them. I thought they were to do with water, but they were firm underfoot. Maybe they're fairy dwellings ...

At the south east corner of this field a bridge goes over Fletchers Water and the route passes between trees and gorse out to Fletchers Green, a lovely expanse of heathland popular with ponies. It seems that people other than "the commoners" turn their ponies out into the Forest. I met a woman with halter and food in a bucket. She asked me if I'd seen any ponies. Umm ... well ... There were loads of ponies all over the place. What was I to reply? So I said, "There are some ponies over there". Apparently, the ones she was looking for weren't any of those. And so we parted.

I cam to another stream, got more water in my boots (grrr! beginning to curse my gaiters!) and dropped my map in the water. What with that and the holes and tears already formed through much use, I really must buy another one - maybe one of those nice all-weather ones.

And I must learn to trust my compass! I was not supposed to end up on the track through the caravan site, even though it was easy enough to find my way into Aldridge Hill Inclosure from there, because it's Aldridge Hill Caravan Park. I should have turned immediately right after the bridge before the stream I dropped my map into and got my feet wet in, and headed due south to pass the cottage that way. Heigh ho!

The walk through the Inclosure was pleasant and even the side path down to Ober Water was good underfoot. As I was not quite finished with my walk yet (I could have gone over the bridge and straight up back to the car park) I decided to follow the lovely, purposely-laid walk around Ober Water. By this time the clouds had scattered and a lovely warm late afternoon sunshine was gleaming through the trees.

At the end of the walk, I crossed over Puttles Bridge and walked up the gravel path winding up to Whitefield car park from the west. To my left the ground was heather-thick and there amid the heather was a female roe deer in her winter grey. She was hard to spot, only her white rump gave her away. Even harder to spot was the male, a young buck with new velvet antlers, standing in front of a grey-barked tree, watching me as I walked up the path. Him I only spotted by his white muzzle and black nose.

And so back to the car, where I fiddled around with the gaiter stirrups until I had a good fit that pulled the bottoms of the gaiters right down to the heels, instead of sitting on the top edge of my boots where the water got in.

Then boots off and another cup of tea with a satisfied sigh and a Mars bar.

Winter Days Diary - Telegraph Woods in White

10 January 2009

I have written about this lovely woodland previously (please click on the label at the bottom of the page for more about Telegraph Woods) so I thought I would simply upload some pictures. It was a little milder, by about a degree, and the heavy frost made the whole world look absolutely stunning.

Winter Days Diary - ... it is (still) very cold

7th January 2009

And out again! Greyer than yesterday, apparently a degree or two above freezing but felt colder, yet the day had a good feel to it. I'd actually planned a different kind of day, although those former plans had included a walk. Instead, I phoned my parents and invited them out which they accepted.

First of all into town again to get Dad some new walking shoes while Mum phoned the local council to sort them out ... again.

After a bite of warm lunch and armed with a flask of coffee and gingersnap biscuits, we set off.

All the walks I'd tried to plan were all about 5 or 6 miles, a little too much for someone who's still convalescing after heart surgery so in the end I decided the Tall Trees Trail (aborted from yesterday) would be ideal, with a look-in at the Blackwater Arboretum.

We parked at Blackwater Car Park, where you are encouraged to make a donation (£2 is suggested). There was no wind under the trees and despite the sharp air it was a lovely walk through towering conifers with their branches drooping under the weight of their dark green "skirts". There is a bomb crater towards the end of the first part of the walk (assuming the start north from the car park). During WWII this part of the Forest was used as a munitions store. Presumably it was a small bomb or grenade that blew accidentally rather than the result of a bomb dropped from the air as it is not a terribly big crater. There are also great bushes of rhododendrons along the path.

Just after this, you cross the road for the return path. The trees are closer here and the Forest beyond the Trail to the right is more densly packed with fewer paths leading off. The Trail winds along a narrower way with a hedge of dark-leaved rhododendrons shielding the path from the road. It is quite a romantic walk, and I am looking forward to seeing it in the spring when the rhododendrons are in full flower.

About half way along this part of the Trail, a wide ride heads off on the right and is flanked on either side by two giant sequioas with huge red trunks and tops tapering into the sky high above anything else near them. They are not the tallest tree on the Trail, however. There is a redwood a little further on which is as tall as two Nelson Columns.

The path winds on to a pretty wooden bridge and bends around and out through wooden railings. Here, you can turn left back across the road to the car park, or turn right up to the Arboretum which is accessed from this side by a beautifully constructed wooden gateway. The Arboretum contains many different trees and is a sensory garden. That is, you are encouraged to touch and smell the trees as well as look at them. I have seen the Arboretum in all its summer glory, and although it seemed a little sad under the cold grey sky with leaves strewn on the ground, it is still my ideal for my own private garden with a little cottage attached that has dog-roses growing around the door, and numerous cats running about the place.

My Dad saw a sign by one tree with a hand-sign and the word "Bark" - so he did ... *sigh!* Can't take him anywhere.

As Dad was now starting to get tired, we left the Arboretum and returned to the car for coffee and biscuits. Mum and I went down to the little river, either Black Water or Fletchers Water, and took pictures of the ice-lined water with ferns and Forest beyond on both sides.

After which we headed for home and I made a mental note that for my next excursion I would come out to White Moor and go exploring over that intriguing bit of countryside the very next opportunity I get.

Winter Days Diary - A New Forest Walk

6th January 2009

It was a beautiful sunny day and cold. Yesterday, I went into town shopping for more warm winter walking gear and thanks to the sales found some excellent bargains. Today was a day for trying some of them out. Therefore I dressed appropriately, chose a walk and off I went.

My destination was Anderwood, approximately mid-way between the Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary to the north and Rhinefield Ornamental Drive to the south. My aim was to walk first to the Deer Sanctuary and then down along Bolderwood Ornamental Drive into Rhinefield OD and around the Tall Trees walk with a quick visit to Blackwater Arboretum. This would have taken the best part of a day.

I was late leaving home ...

Anderwood itself is a pleasant place for picnicking and ambling around pine trees. There is a picnic and barbecue area, and a public convenience. Being the middle of winter and temperature around 0 degrees C, however, the only people were hardy walkers and cyclists.

The walk began promisingly enough, up through the trees beyond a gate to the north. Before reaching the cycle track further on there was an interesting path (aren't they all?) going down through the trees to the cycle track visible below. A Forest stream, Blackensford Brook, crosses the path and is easily forded which is always more fun than being provided with a bridge, although I am partial to bridges over water as well.

I turned right along the cycle track intent on getting to the Deer Sanctuary.

I hesitate to describe any part of the New Forest as dull, but if there is such a place this is it. The track is dead straight through a pine inclosure with little relief except perhaps the promise of more interesting things along paths to right and left. On closer inspection it would seem that the side paths promise wading of near knee-deep proportions. I don't mind a bit of mud, it can be a lot of fun these were clearly more bridlepath than footpath. To my disgrace, I turned around back the way I had come and returned to Anderwood Car Park. I'd walked three miles judging by my watch and it seemed like barely one.

Nothing daunted, I decided to stop for a cup of tea at the car and try again. Fortified by this and a biscuit, I ventured across the road to another gate heading south. Apart from another wide mud-river that led to a wire fence, presumably to keep people from crossing the A35 at this point, this was quite a pleasant walk around Dames Slough Inclosure. (By the way, I fell over jumping a ditch off the afore-mentioned mud river - that is, I fell up the side of the ditch. The mud missed my gaiters completely and covered the knees of my trousers ...) There was another stream, Black Water, to ford which I managed without falling over, getting wet or in any other way mucking it up.

I didn't attain either of my goals - the Deer Sanctuary or the Tall Trees Walk -but I did get two hours walking out of the afternoon and a successful test of my new winter wear.

Winter Days Diary - The air bites shrewdly ...

5th January 2009

A grey day with a bitter north-easterly wind. I'd promised Dad a walk in the New Forest and he chose Hatchett Pond with a walk around the disused airfield on Beaulieu Heath. Hatchett Pond was QI being partially frozen with ducks and sea-birds stood on the ice all looking cold and disgruntled. A pair of swans were making "feed me" gestures at a chap who was just getting out of his car. Swans are huge beasties when they stretch up their necks - they were nearly as tall as the man.

We set off along the B3055 (to Brockenhurst) for about 3/4 mile to the entrance to the concrete flattened diamond path which is now used by walkers, horse-riders and cyclists. Faced with a choice, we turned right.

Note to self: when in doubt choose the rule of the labyrinth - always turn left!

It was very open and very raw, and unfortunately further than we had both thought. Had we turned left, the way would have been shorter with the wind more behind us.

It was when we turned along the south path of the walk that the wind in all its unpleasant strength and chill factor did for Dad's stamina. He decided to park himself in the lee of some thick gorse while I as the stronger walker went hotfoot (that's a laugh!) back up the B3054 to fetch the car from Hatchett Pond car park.

After much cursing the wind, my recalcitrant legs that wouldn't walk fast enough (I don't do the "r" word) and ponies in the path alongside the pond that looked rather mournfully at me, I got to the car, at last. In two minutes I had picked up Dad, who had been cheerfully watching bunnies playing in and out of the gorse, and we sat and drank hot coffee and munched on caramel snack bars before heading for home.

Misty Sway and the Railway

30 December 2008

For route details click here

There have been few chances to get out over the Yuletide what with family and work. Today was my day off and earmarked for a good tramp around the countryside to walk off some of the effects of the Greedy Guts Season.

The morning didn't look all that promising - just grey and cold, no fog, no frost, not a glimmer of sunlight. I went anyway, determined on a walk gleaned from the December issue of Country Walking although I deviated a little from the text, choosing to park at Longslade Bottom Car Park (which is not where it says on the map!) rather than at Sway train station and following the route from there.

The route follows part of a disused railway which begins between Burley and Bransgore in the west and ends at Brockenhurst in the east and cuts through some of the loveliest area of the New Forest.

The sun did manage a gleam or two and occasionally the high mist cleared to show blue sky. The air was very cold but I was wrapped in thermals, two layers of socks, sweatshirt, fleece and all-weather overtop, beanie and baseball cap, and neck gaiter to cover my nose when necessary. After about 10 minutes walking along the disused railway my circulation was pumping and my poor fingers had finally warmed up.

The path across the higher moor coming down into Sway looked muddy in places but the overnight frost had hardened much of the ground and there was always a way around. Sway itself is a pleasant village. The Hare and Hounds pub is pretty especially with the Christmas lights twinkling around the windows. The village is one that has been visibly expanded over the years with pretty little character cottages side-by-side with modern brick houses of large and rather square proportions.

I met lots of nice people again. Several horseriders and among the many dogs out and about was one crazy lurcher-cross which apparently was incapable of moving around at less than top speed unless it was dancing around a person. It was never still and must be one of the happiest dogs I've ever come across. Yet for all its liveliness it was incredibly obedient; in complete contrast to the border collie that was not ready to go home yet and was chasing about the lawns near the car park, deaf to all entreaties to "come on" from the various members of its rather frustrated family.

Ahhh, it's good to be out again. Now, where to next time ... ?

Winter Days Diary - Clean Boots & Christmas Daffodils

19 December 2008

I need some fresh air before a busy shift at work so I thought I'd take a quick walk "round the block". It's all rather chilly and grey, but pretty where the Christmas lights are twinkling. What I did not expect was to see daffodil shoots poking through the soil as I walked under the trees along a rather nice street near the local park.

As for the clean boots - mine had got rather muddy (!) on Wednesday after the bog-hopping and I haven't got around to cleaning them yet. I knew the efficacy of beach shingle for removing caked-in mud from the deep treads of boots. It seems that some long, wet grass and a good, rough gravel path will also do the worst part of the job for you. All I need now is to wipe off the remainder and rub in some waterproofing. Excellent!

Deerleap and Fulliford Bog-hopping

17 December 2008

For route details click here

Clouds, fog, rawness and rain all fled and winter-brilliant sunlight poured down from the sky. What more encouragement could any walker want to get those boots on and get out?

I chose this location because it's just beyond the city and I had other places to be later in the day, and I've been meaning to try it out for ages. Incessant roadworks and traffic tailbacks stopped me before; but the roadworks like the gloomy weather had desisted for a day.

Once at the Deerleap Car Park it was evident that the beautiful weather had enticed everyone else and their dog or pony out as well. And the lawns and heathlands were dotted with the commoners' ponies and cattle.

The terrain varies from close-cropped lawns to inclosures of pine and more ancient woodland, heathland and bog. The walk from the car park to the railway crossing was pleasant on the lawn, and there is also a cycle path along it. There was a girl on a grey pony having a fabulous time cantering around, until the young rider had to rein the pony in to pass people and dogs, at which the pony protested vociferously and shrilly. It was a small pony but it had a very loud opinion!

Over the railway bridge and the river beyond to Fulliford Bog. There is a clear footpath which runs through the heathland and the surrounding squelchy bits and where I wanted to go off to the right, well, I could see the line of the path ahead. Some way ahead. Beyond an obstacle course. I have now been bog-hopping and it's actually quite fun. Somewhere under all the water and mud was part of the path ... I made it and now know that I can actually jump quite far when I need to.

The drier bit of the path formed a sort of gully for a short distance and then branched off to a small earthwork of what I presume to have been an ancient and very small settlement. There is a tumulus not far away. The earthwork itself is now marked by a line of bracken.

Ahead is a wooden bridge over a Forest stream. To the right, land belonging to Ashurst Lodge and to the right were deer grazing in the distance.

Beyond the bridge the terrain is more lawn-like for a while but wet, although firm, underfoot and a winding way needs to be taken around the deeper muddy bits to regain the path, which again disappears into mud and water. So another diversion needs to be found. This is not in the nature of complaining. It's lots of fun! For me.

Around the tall, pale wooden fencing that surrounds Ashurst Lodge so no one can see it and then to the drive and the trees begin to close in. Over the drive and down to the next railway bridge which has a pretty feature of pale blue iron work. Beyond the bridge is the gate into the Inclosure. I chose the cycle track up to the gate that leads out on to the lawn avenue between Deerleap and Longdown Inclosures as before, as I'd had enough of mud and heavy going. The cycle lane through Deerleap Inclosure runs quite close to the railway and it was fun to see a train racing through the trees.

By the time I was coming back to the car park, someone had been out with the hay truck and ponies and cattle had appeared in herds in the shadow of Longdown Inclosure to eat at and argue over the hay piles.

It was a beautiful, clear day, chilly but not raw and the light was perfect for taking photographs. And I was glad to get back to two hours tramping around the New Forest to really get the legs and lungs working. This will be my last long-ish walk before Christmas. I'm looking forward to new horizons in the New Year.

Winter Days Diary - Local Park

13 December 2008

Not a terribly adventurous walk but it got me "out of the house" and into some fresh air. It was grey, damp, a little bit boringly milder than it has been recently and all the fun of sheeting rain and howling gales had blown itself out sometime during the morning.

The River Itchen was in spate full to overflowing and was in a tearing hurry to get somewhere; probably away from the slightly sewerish scent that wafted across the footpath now and then. I'm quite sure that wasn't coming from the River though. The land about gets waterlogged and some of the more permanent pools of standing water have an oily look about them sometimes.

A couple of moorhens stood looking rather glumly at the water until a human got a bit close and then the water obviously seemed a better option than the footpath. Of ducks and swans I saw not a one. They had more sense than did I and the plethora of dog walkers who'd been waiting for the weather to clear before doing their duty.

From the park, I came back round a steep crescent which every year puts on a fabulous Christmas light show. This year, the show is a bit later but from the unlit evidence it looks like they could light up our post-Christmas dinner stroll again this year.

Oh well, not a very bright or inspired walk but it cleared the airways and stretched my legs for half an hour. I even took some photos. I'll be glad when the afternoons start stretching out again...

Winter Days Diary - Frosty Day

7th December 2008

At last, whiteness! There was but one place I could go to catch the last of the sun. I went back to Telegraph Woods. Had lots of fun playing in the mud again. This time I was on a mission to get photographs of the views from the edges of the woods and of the main features - the beacon, the earthwork, the lake and the clearings. Fortunately, the frost was still lying on the sheltered open ground around the lake and in the foresty clearing a little further on, and also on the golf course and the open spaces around the Rose Bowl.

I met a mad boxer dog that seemed intent on getting this one branch detached from its tree; apparently this was no youngster. This hooligan is 10 years old. The chap and his daughter with the boxer also had a dear little wiry terrier which came and sat at my feet, gazing up at me with one paw lifted. What could I do? She was very happy to be fussed.

Later on, I met a young black labrador. As I said "Hello dog" to it (as you do), around a clump of shrub and trees I came upon the owner in jeans and white shoes staring rather forlornly at the thick, black mud. I advised him that the way improves uphill. That didn't help his present predicament but he thanked me anyway and began to rather gingerly pick his way around the goo. I had thick boots on (no gaiters - hurry up, Santa!) so I just waded through.

It was a lovely, cold walk with a dusting of frost to make a pleasant change to the usual drabness of the damp and the sun golden and heatless sinking into the west.

Winter Days Diary - Telegraph Woods

6th December 2008

For a sunny late afternoon I chose a lovely muddy tramp through one of my favourite places locally. Telegraph Woods is beautiful at any time of year. In the winter it has a sparse beauty with a forest of pale beeches facing tall dark pine trees across the wide main path through the woodland.

I chose to follow one of the more indistinct paths which winds through pine trees into more ancient woodland of beech and oak. The trail is one of the type that is not clearly marked and often looks as if it's coming to a dead end, but is always there and the apparent dead end is a tight corner in the narrow path leading you on.

It was very muddy and so, of course, great fun. The path ran down behind a small woodland lake and up again to emerge beside a fence that separates the woodland from the Rose Bowl Cricket Ground. However, as you come down to the radar gate on to the footpath that runs down beside the golf course, there is a clear view down into the cricket ground and then a fabulous view out over the countryside to the north.

I came back to the main path and soon diverged off it to descend a stepway to a lower path which runs around the base of the ancient earthworks and rises again to a fork. I took the right-hand fork back to the main path. I only cleaned my boots a couple of days ago; they're covered in mud again!

Near the main entrance to the woodland from Telegraph Road there is a perfect circle of open space which has a low wooden barrier running around it to mark the position of an ancient Beacon, one of a chain fired to raise the alarm that the Spanish Armada was approaching the coast of Britain, during the reign of Elizabeth I.

Just inside this entrance, nailed to a tree, is a sign: No fires are to be lit in these woods ...

Winter Days Diary - Walking and shopping

4 December 2008

I was out for an hour and a half today. I needed some more fountain pen ink and another extension lead. Some of the time was admittedly taken up with looking around but it was a fair couple of miles on a late winter afternoon, a cloud-and-sun day with a sharp breeze blowing.

To the local Hobbycraft for the ink, the trail goes along a quiet lane between the edge of an estate on one side and school grounds on the other, both sides screened from the lane by trees and high brambles (good blackberrying in September). From Hobbycraft (eventually), the way goes alongside a busy road with views out over watermeadows to the north and into wet woodlands on the south side, and into Riverside Park. At the two-way traffic bridge at Woodmill, I turn right along the narrow pavement and over the railway bridge, then left and come to the local B&Q store for the extension lead.

The way home is back over the railway bridge and back through Riverside Park.

Winter Days Diary - A walk around the block

2nd December 2008

I managed to get in two short walks today, one in the afternoon for a photoshoot; one this morning just to get out - itchy feet!

There is an open common space nearby called Frogs Copse and has recently been signposted as an area managed to encourage wildlife, which is excellent news. This has become quite a major project in this city. There are four such sites near me.

From Frogs Copse through the quieter back streets, across the main road and along the path beside the river through Riverside Park, then back along the cycle track and up round Broadwater.

This rather nice area has been a Christmas treat for several years, with nearly all the houses being done up with lights and seasonal ornamentation; it has become quite a tourist attraction! My family always takes a walk round there after Christmas dinner.

With the current environmental situation, however, I'm not sure that this pretty tradition will be repeated this year. It could be that the residents might leave putting up the display until nearer the time.

It was a cloud-and-sun morning and quite cold, but with thermals and a good fleece jacket and hat, it was very pleasant.

Winter Days Diary - Photoshoot at Itchen Valley Country Park

2nd December 2008

I'm not giving away too much yet, but some interest has been expressed in a small article I put on a walkers' forum about my first time walking. However, the "interested party" wanted a photograph (oh lor'). So my Dad being a photographer and the Itchen Valley Country Park being the starting point for the whole thing, we set off to get some shots.

It was a pleasant, if cold, afternoon. We got a pleasant walk around the Forest Trail and some decent pictures out of the excursion. I sent one of the pictures to the "interested party" and as I haven't heard anything back, I'm hoping it's OK.