| Date: Location: Walk Leader: Participants: Distance: Parking: Lunch: | 25th February 2015 Fordingbridge Clive Clive, Peter, Ray, Rob 7.2 miles Small car park behind local hall opposite church farm Bat and Ball ★★★ |
We started out by walking back from the car park onto church street but soon our leader pointed out we were going in the wrong direction and we went back into the car park and followed the path out of its far corner, between the houses and out onto the fields.
The path follows Ashford Water a small tributary that runs into the River Avon. Unfortunately we had had quite a bit of rain over the previous couple of days and so this left many of the paths very muddy. My enduring memory of this walk is of mud. Nevertheless it was not that horrible clingy mud that creates "moon boots" just your everyday mucky mud!
The path comes out at Alderholt Mill a picturesque working water mill which offers bed & breakfast or self catering accommodation http://www.alderholtmill.co.uk. We then followed the path a little further along Ashford Water before turning toward Lower Court Wood where we stopped for our break. There were some nice stools and a table provided for us to enjoy. A short stretch along the road and then we turned off again and took the path past Hurley Farm. Ray and Peter were told off, by the local land owner, for taking a slight detour to avoid a section of rather deep muddy track. He was however quite understanding and we managed the rest of the walk without incident.
There were lots of snowdrops in places along the route and a few crocus were starting to show. The catkins are now growing rapidly so those afflicted can start to expect hay feaver soon.
Lunch at the Bat and Ball was a real winner. The pensioners lunch was excellent. Very good food, ample portions and really friendly service. Tea in proper pots with two tea bags. The main course was only £4.95 but three of us could not resist paying an extra £3 for the apple and rhubarb crumble which we did not need but did enjoy!
The path follows Ashford Water a small tributary that runs into the River Avon. Unfortunately we had had quite a bit of rain over the previous couple of days and so this left many of the paths very muddy. My enduring memory of this walk is of mud. Nevertheless it was not that horrible clingy mud that creates "moon boots" just your everyday mucky mud!
The path comes out at Alderholt Mill a picturesque working water mill which offers bed & breakfast or self catering accommodation http://www.alderholtmill.co.uk. We then followed the path a little further along Ashford Water before turning toward Lower Court Wood where we stopped for our break. There were some nice stools and a table provided for us to enjoy. A short stretch along the road and then we turned off again and took the path past Hurley Farm. Ray and Peter were told off, by the local land owner, for taking a slight detour to avoid a section of rather deep muddy track. He was however quite understanding and we managed the rest of the walk without incident.
There were lots of snowdrops in places along the route and a few crocus were starting to show. The catkins are now growing rapidly so those afflicted can start to expect hay feaver soon.
Lunch at the Bat and Ball was a real winner. The pensioners lunch was excellent. Very good food, ample portions and really friendly service. Tea in proper pots with two tea bags. The main course was only £4.95 but three of us could not resist paying an extra £3 for the apple and rhubarb crumble which we did not need but did enjoy!
 The Catkins Were Out |  The Snow Drops Were Out |  And We Were Out |
 A little muddy |  A little More Muddy |  A Little Too Muddy For Some |
And now for something new. A little song especially for you!
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