Burley, Holmsley Walk

Date:
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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  ★★

It was a much brighter day when we set off from the Queens Head, across the road and up the small path between the shops.  Branching off to the left we soon found we should have branched off to the right but this was soon put right!  

On Turf Hill

There had been lots of rain but the path across Turf Hill and down to the disused railway line was good and solid.
The sky was blue and the gorse was looking a lovely bright yellow in the very welcome sunshine.
A little further on towards Holmsley Ridge the paths became a little confused.  Paths?  At least things were not quite as they seemed from the map so we had a couple of diversions while we explored alternative routes. 

By the time we reached Cross Ways the ground had begun to get a bit more boggy and we had started to feel dry so we stopped for a break.  Melton Mobray Pork Pies (small ones!) courtesy Rob and Stollen courtesy Ray provided added sustenance and mutterings about "only soup" for lunch.
​The route from Cross Ways until we turned off right to Dur Hill Down was decidedly "sploggy".  The map clearly shows a fire break between the trees and when we last walked here in August 2010 this was accurate.  The outlook is now however very different.

Once There Were Trees

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

Now Just Stumps

Four Fine Specimens

Photobombed By A Wood Nymph

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.

Brain Fungus

Always Look Behind You