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Bramshaw

24/2/2016

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26th February 2016
Bramshaw
Ray
Ray, Clive, Peter, Rob
7.2 miles
Forest Car Park
Bat and Ball ★★★☆☆

It has been decided by the committee that a 3 point scoring system is not discriminating adequately between the range of establishments visited for lunch. From henceforth a five point system will be employed. Scores will be shown as above to differentiate them from the old 3 point system.

This walk was another one that is mostly new -roughly 74.8%.

A beautiful but slightly chilly morning greeted us as we started out from Bradshaw Telegraph and headed across the fairly open plain.

Across the Plain

Studley Wood

It may look simple enough to follow the track marked green on the map but there are several other paths in this area that are just about as well defined so we wandered onto smaller tracks from time to time.

The other somewhat unhelpful thing about the map is that it shows Footbridges that do not always exist. One of these is close to the start of Eyeworth Wood, another two later in Amberwood Inclosure.

FB1 What Bridge?

SCRamblers!

FB2 No Trace Of This One

We posed for this group photo beside Eyeworth Pond. This was only in the second half of the 19th century by the Schultze Gunpowder Company, an organisation that for many years had premises in the grounds of nearby Eyeworth Lodge. You can read more about this venture at:
http://www.newforestexplorersguide.co.uk/heritage/history-in-the-landscape/eyeworth-pond.html

Coffee time saw us just by the Royal Oak where we found a convenient log by which time we were all ready for refreshments. Just on the edge of the woods here there is a somewhat unusual post box.

Powder Mill Post Box

All Is Explained

After a short stretch on the cycle path we diverted onto some of the smaller paths with just one short diversion where we had to retrace our steps. We the came across our third missing bridge. It was so similar to the second one that we had to check to make sure we had not inadvertently backtracked.
After a short section in the open at Ashley Cross we came across a small brick structure that was once a post connected with the Ashley Bombing Range. Those interested in the war and the history of this unusual place can find out more at:
http://www.thenewforestguide.co.uk/history/new-forest-explosives/ashley-walk-bombing-range/
or
http://www.new-forest-national-park.com/ashley-range.html

We decided, by a narrow majority, to go back into the woods on the basis it would be shorter and more interesting. By the time we were back at the car park we were wondering if the additional ups and downs had been worthwhile. The woods had certainly provided lots to look at as fairly extensive logging operations had been going on for some time. Why would they fell trees right across the path?

Nicely Positioned!

More For The Tall Ships

We all agreed that this had turned out to be a great walk on a lovely day but, and you knew there had to be a but....we were all very pleased that we cut out the pale orange diversion that Ray had planned to ensure the walk was not too short. This would have added another 1.2 miles and it looks as if the Leader had had quite enough without that.

Is That A Smile or A Grimace?

Lunch was at the Bat and Ball. This is a great pub. Open all day for ford and a really good deal for pensioners. They could not however be given more than 3 out of 5 today as they had run out of too many things that we had chosen from the menu. The whitebait starter was almost enough for a main! Nice friendly staff and locals create a good atmosphere. ★★★☆☆

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Ashurst, New Forest, New Area, New Pub

17/2/2016

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17th February 2016
Accurst
Peter
Peter, Clive, Ray, Rob
6.8 miles
The Happy Cheese Car Park
The Happy Cheese ★★

An all new walk and pub - fantastic - what an achievement. There are plenty of other paths to explore in this are too.

We set off from the car park along a fairly wet but well made up track before turning off through a gate and into Churchplace Inclosure. Much of the ground was rather soggy but we made pretty good progress.
After a while we decided to go off piste.

Not Very Inviting

At first we followed a fire break and then just cut across the woodland, which was mostly pines in this area. The bracken would have made this impossible in the summer.
There were several quite large wood ants' nests in the trees. I thought they would make a nice seat for a group photo but failed to convince the others.
We left the inclosure by a gate in the far south west corner and strolled down to have a look at the bridge over the railway line. The other side of the tracks looks rather too boggy for this time of year so we headed towards Longdown Inclosure.

Deep Amongst The Trees

No Ants In Our Pants

Train, Track and Trees

A brief look showed that there was no short cut across the extensive boggy area and we went back to the cycle track.
As we travelled south west in Longdown Inclosure we soon became enveloped in smoke and so we delayed our break until we were well clear. We then tried unsuccessfully to find the path across the stream near Peel Hill. In the event we had to scramble across some fallen and low growing trees to reach the dry path on the other side.

The source of the smoke soon became very apparent. We considered a few options for shortening the walk as it was looking a bit gloomy but agreed to follow the original plan around the edges of Longdown Inclosure and then back into Deerleap Inclosure. There were some interesting smaller tracks here too. The rain held off until we were close to the site of the Hunting Lodge but then we started to get quite wet!

The Smoke Source

The Happy Cheese turned out to be a pretty decent pub with 2 mains for £12 so we all enjoyed a good meal in spite of some indecision owing to the numerous choices. An additional bonus - decent pots of tea hot and full.

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Milton Abbas

10/2/2016

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10th February 2016
Milton Abbas
Rob
Rob, Peter, Ray
7.7 miles
Catherine's Well
Bakers Arms ★★ Loose points for luke warm tea.
Proportion of new ground 70.9% - congratulations on an amazing feat!
Proportion on road 23.4% - needs no further comment.

Heading west from Catherine's Well the road soon turns into a quite reasonably surfaced track passing Steeptonbill Farm shop and leading to a path that climbs up to St Catherine's Chapel. St. Catherine's Chapel was built in the late 12th century. From the chapel there is a fine view over the Abbey. A little further on there is a pair of rather fine gate lodges but they are not very visible through the trees. There are then numerous paths through Haydon Plantation and Blagdon Copse both within the right to roam area.

Heritage Trail Marker

Rather pretty looking markers show the route of the Milton Abbas Heritage Trail.

Unfortunately Delocombe Wood is private and it is necessary to walk along the road.

St Catherine's Chapel c12

St. Catherine was a martyr whose body was said to be borne by angels to the summit of Mount Sinai. Today there is still a monastery at Mount Sinai and her cult has spread widely with her places of worship symbolically sited on hilltops.

Delcombe Wood is currently for sale at £975,000 (224.4 acres) through John Clegg & Co and Bulbarrow Timber that used to be at the north west corner is now closed.

Hilton Bottom, Bulbarrow In The Distance

After a confidence boosting stretch of tarmac we turned on to the Ice Drove. More like the Mud Drove at the start but improving as we moved on. The view looking back down the valley and across to Bulbarrow Hill, about a mile to the north west, was quite stunning. The sky was so good I devoted half the picture to it!
Peter did one of his usuals and managed to drop a glove but it was only 1/10th mile to go back and recover it. The others kindly waited.

There was a dearth of places to sit until eventually we found a jump for the horses that was reasonable enough for a break that we were by now all looking forward to.
Soon after our well earned rest we were back into some pleasant woodland although it was again rather muddy in places. We were however able to find tracks through the tress above the muddy main paths. Then it was back on the road around the Milton Abbey School (Boarding £10,960, Day £,550 per term), up the hill, under the bridge and back beside Steeptonbill Farm shop. We could not resist stopping here for a few vegetables they looked so good and fresh. It was then a short stroll back to the car. A brief visit to the Royal Oak was more than a little disappointing - no pies - that was last week - we've run out of sausages - what! So it was off to the Bakers Arms again. The search is on for Pubs serving food all day!
A good chicken and leek pie yet again but next time we must remember to ask them to heat the tea pots.

The Countryside Is NOT Safe

But It Looks Lovely

Worth a Visit

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Bere Regis

3/2/2016

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3rd February 2016
Bere Regis
Clive
Clive, Peter, Ray, Rob
5.9 miles
Car Park near church
Bakers Arms ★★

When we got out of the car in the village car park it was decidedly chilly with a really biting wind. We set off along the road towards Shitterton and then branched off onto the Jubilee Trail which we followed to Turners Puddle apart from a short diversion towards Black Hill. This route starts with a fairly gentle climb along a pleasantly wooded track which was nice and firm.

A Good Start

Restored Barn

On route we passed this lovely old barn that had recently been restored.

Holy Trinity Church

At Turners Puddle (also known as Toner's Puddle or Piddle) we sat in the porch of the Holy Trinity Church, close to the river, and had our refreshments. It is a predominantly sixteenth century structure built of flint and limestone rubble, which was deconsecrated in 1974. The grounds have been tidied up fairly recently and there are snowdrops everywhere.

After a short excursion to see the river we headed off along the road towards the old Dairy House and then back into the woods where we saw the first wild snowdrops that we had come across this year.
Then, just after passing the caravan site, we came across a long abandoned vehicle that in spite of all his efforts Clive could not get moving.
A short stretch along the road and through the fields took us back to the Water Cress Beds where we soon noticed the chilly wind again. We had obviously been well protected for most of the walk. We noticed some fairly high and extensive new fencing around the beds presumably to keep deer away.
Back in the car we drove to the Bakers Arms for lunch. There were only two steak puddings so Rob became our hero and had the steak and merlot pie. Unfortunately neither surpassed the chicken and leek!

Snowdrops in the Wood

Too Old to Drive

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