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20th January 2016
Tarrant Rushton, Windy Corner
Ray
Ray, Peter, Rob
7.1 miles
By the memorial
​Lambs Green Inn  ★★

We headed off along what I assume were the old airfield taxi ways or runways full of the confidence provided by the solid concrete below our feet.
After a short while we came across a rather elegant new grain storage facility at the place on the map shown as West Building.  As the picture shows it was a lovely bright and sunny day albeit a bit on the chilly side with frost on the grass to left and right. 

12th January 2016 (Tuesday)
Wilverley
Peter
Peter, Clive, Ray, Rob

Very large car parking area at Wilverley
​Lambs Green Inn ★★▲ especially with 20% off!

Heavy rains in the last few days pushed us to the New Forest once again.  Luckily the day turned out pretty well with only a very few spots of light rain.
We were amazed to find that we saw more people in the first fifteen minutes of this walk than we have seen in the whole of the last ten years walking around the forest.  
The sun was shining through the trees and the woods liked really lovely in the light.  There was also a good mix of deciduous trees and conifers in this area.
Happily the crowds vanished as soon as we turned off the cycle track towards the tea rooms and the old railway track.
The long disused Holmsley Station is quite atmospheric and one can easily imagine a long gone Station Master still keeping an eye on the old platform.  Walking on through the tunnel of trees we turned south just beside the isolated cottage that stands beside the old track and headed back towards Holmsley Inclosure.  There ia once again a good mix of trees here including numerous silver birches which showed up really well in the sunlight.
Crossing the A35 was not too difficult and as we headed into Brownhill Inclosure Rob reminded us that Avon Water might cause a problem.
We decided it was worth having a look and see if we could cross.
When we reached the crossing point we met some foresters clearing the trees they said the water at the ford was up to the top of their wellingtons.
Undaunted the leader set off to find a way across and having made it without any problems he encouraged the others to join him.  He showed that he was made of much sterner stuff than the others who whimped out to a man.  So the fearsome leader had to journey along the rather muddy river bank four times in order to lead his friends safely back. 
It was interesting to see how fast the water was flowing at Wootton Bridge but the foresters had told us that it was far higher on the previous day.
It was a straightforward if somewhat uphill journey back to the car park and we managed to avoid the rain which started not much later.
Another good lunch at the Lambs Green Inn with a 20% voucher from last year.

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6th January 2016
New Forest, Burley
Clive
Clive, Peter, Ray, Rob
6.5 miles (some did a little extra)
Queens Head
​Queens Head  ★★

​Where there were once tall pine trees there is now a rather fine vista and just a few old stumps.

We eventually reached the trees and Rob spotted a small encampment.  He has for several years been convinced that the small wigwam like places are inhabited by redskins - surely not?  The rest of us know this is nonsense of course.  Nevertheless we decided to pose by one of them for a group photo.
When I looked later at the photos I was surprised to see that just after I had set up the camera for a second shot one of the inhabitants must have  decided to practice her photo-bombing.  This conclusively proves that they cannot be redskins but must be wood nymphs.
One of these days we may find out the true reason for these strange structures in the woods.
Still it's good to have a fertile imagination.

Leaving the trees we dropped down back towards the disused railway again.  Even this made up track was looking pretty wet and muddy.

​On the edge of the old railway track I spotted this Yellow Brain Fungus growing on some dead gorse.
We continued across the wonderfully named Slap Bottom - can this be connected to the wood nymphs? - and back to the car park.

Lunch at the Queens Head was pleasant and the pub was very quiet, a very different place from last week.  A decent piece of gammon, two fried eggs, peas and chips all for £6.49.  Could be ★★ is a bit mean.