The New Forest in winter

[ilovescotty]

Another place ticked off my list. Not a very challenging walk (apart from getting stuck in some bog) , but lovely scenery and great wildlife.

This report is a combination of two walks we did during our trip, couldn't be bothered to post them separately.

The woods in the New Forest are full of really old oaks, beech and Ash trees, some of the oldest in England

Saw some great birds on this trip, kestrel, tawny owl and best of all, a white stork!! As is always the case, they were gone before I could get a snap (the tawny owl we saw at night on our way to dinner)!

Despite the terrain being flatter than a pancake, Emma still allowed herself 5 or 6 breaks! Obviously I did not approve and attempted on several occasions to leave her behind for the ponies to eat.

After this we headed off the track and into the woods. The native woodland in the New Forest look how I would imagine our woodlands looked before human intervention.

Proof that bigfoot really does exist . . . .

We came to an opening which gave me a good opportunity for photographs. It was a really strange day weather-wise, quite hazy one minute then perfectly clear all of a sudden.

The dead forest

The open areas have very difficult to follow paths, so we did end up emerged in bog. I've never smelt anything so foul.

I imagine the hundreds of years worth of wild pony poo, along with general muddy-damp mouldiness had led to the delightful perfume we were now knee-deep in.

This is the last know photograph of Emma before the bog swallowed her whole . . . . . no not really, she's alive and well

YUMMY!

Last photo of the day

The next day was a less smelly affair. We headed up to the Boulderwood area and again just went off the path to explore the woods. The night before we had a run in with a local deer heard, spilled out into the road right outside of Lyndhurst!

If any of you highlanders ever fancy something a bit flatter but just as scenic, The New Forest is definitely worth a visit.

[ChrisW]

Definitely one place I'd like to walk again ILS, my Mrs would be one for 5 or 6 stops along the way too Love the pics, really show the best of our woodlands ....strange that some of our oldest trees are in the 'new' forest

[Riverman]

Beautiful photos. The light in the first one from day 2 is terrific.

[ilovescotty]

strange that some of our oldest trees are in the 'new' forest

I have always wondered why its called the New Forest? Being the massive sado I am, I will have a look online today to find out, or its going to start bothering me!

Beautiful photos. The light in the first one from day 2 is terrific.

Thanks, this was my first venture with my new camera so I was still working out the settings but i'm pleased with them.

[trailmasher]

Some great shots there ILS and what a great place to take 'em in You had a better 2 days than we had in Cumbria