Last look

 

I cycled out via Guss Common (Burton Common) this morning to find change is afoot. Watery Lane has always afforded a pleasant route down into Christchurch or up onto the common and the wider countryside beyond - all that is about to change. Some years ago there were plans of a quarry mooted, a new access road and large sign on the A35 stating Quarry Entrance suggest it's about to happen. Watery Lane will still be here, you'll still be able to use it, but views like this wont be.

Southern Marsh orchid

It's that time of the year when the Southern Marsh orchid (Dactylorhiza praetermissa) dominates the flora of the wetter meadow at Ossemsley Ford.

May blossom

 

It's been a fantastic year for Hawthorn blossom.

Bluebell

 

So indicative of spring woodland the humble Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta), a dainty drooping beauty which smells as sweet as it looks. There's an open stand of mainly oak alongside the course of the old Brockenhurst to Ringwood line near Osmonds Bushes, it's peppered with Bluebells, the scent as we passed this morning was heavenly. Their presence here indicates that the stand represents a pocket of ancient woodland.

Ebbor Gorge

It's been a few years since I last visited Ebber Gorge. Tucked away in woodland on the Mendip Hills, Ebbor is a lovely spot, less well known than Cheddar, and in many respects better for it. A compact 350 million year old limestone gorge engulfed by woodland, it's a wonderful place; very Robin of Sherwood. The gorge has been popular with humans since the palaeolithic, with evidence of later Neolithic occupation and possibly Bronze Age too. It must have been a special place, being on the edge of two worlds, of the Mendip hills and the wetland world of the levels. In more recent times the gorge has been blighted with Ash Die back (Hymenoscyphus fraxineus), resulting in the loss of trees; fortunately the natural aspect and atmosphere of the place are little affected, and it remains magical walking. I read that the Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) is fighting back, with saplings growing in some infected areas developing a degree of resistance to the fungi. Here's hoping, eh.

Beltane

 

Climbing the pre-dawn tor the sound of drumming from inside St Michaels Tower gets louder, hypnotic beats echoing through the night, heralding sunrise. Beltane has always been my favourite festival of the eight fold year, and bar a handful of occasions, since 1989 I've seen the morning in here. This morning had it all going on, atop Tor a broad diverse group of folk drawn together from the quarters to mark sunrise, Rollo leading the traditional Druidic ceremony, and the Cam Valley Morris dancing in May. Perfection. The sun rose to the hoots, howls and cheers of we gathered observers, who where treated to a magnificent sunrise. Beltane blessings /|\

Camel Green

 

Camel Green looking verdant.

Red Deer

The number of Red Deer (Cervus elephus) around the forest would have appeared to have grown over the last few years. There was a time when I would've been  surprised to have stumbled upon a handful of Red Deer amongst the stands, now though it's become a common event to see groups of 15 plus milling about. A few hundred meters further and we spotted another group of similar number. Spring stirs through the stands.

Pay to play

 

We knew it was coming, but still, it's a sad turn of events. Living in the area since I was four, the forest has been a canvas on which so many of my memories have been painted. We walk here more days than we don't. This morning notices have gone up in every one of the New Forests' car parks, parking starts at £1.50 an hour. It should be noted that Forestry England have a monopoly on forest parking. The forest has always been free when you've needed it, a place to explore both the stands and your own imagination, a place to build memories, or a place to find solace, tranquillity, some measure of relief from what troubles you. That's the magic of the forest, it's all things. Not any more though, strictly pay to play now. At a time when the country's suffering an omni health crisis, on top of seemingly endless austerity which is thinning lives to the bone; when Government and health experts wax lyrical about the holistic benefits getting out in nature, an executive agency of the same Government put a barrier in the way. I mean. What a soulless place we're becoming.

First Foal

The first foal I've spotted this year, early doors too.

Dartmoor

Dartmoor holds a special place in my heart, a place captured the first time I came here in the late 80's. In subsequent years we've ranged over widely through the the wooded valleys and across open more, countless nights have been spent wild camping under a canopy of star. It's a magical natural landscape steeped in archaeology, history and mystery. It was good to be here again, it's been too long.

Vernal Equinox

Though they mark significantly moments in the year, the equinoxes seem to pass without much acknowledgement. In the case of todays' Vernal equinox, a moment of equilibrium between night and day. From tomorrow day reigns, with incrementally longer days and shorter nights, Spring proper has begun. Blessings at Equinox /|\

The Pinnicale

 

The Pinnicale

Silent sands

The tide was out and from Shell Bay all the way to North Beach we had Studland beach to ourselves, and it was glorious.

Toad orgy

There was a full on toad orgy going on at Mogshade Pond this morning. Mild as it was, the sun was out and our amphibian friends were making the most of it by getting jiggy.  The pond was packed with them, impossible to count, though I'd say at least a couple of hundred paired and numerous individuals. Recent research reported a worrying decline in Common Toads (Bufo bufo) throughout the country, so it's good to see them apparently flourishing in the forest ponds. I've seen them, or evidence of them, in several forest ponds.

Imbolc

 

At winter solstice we witnessed the birth of the new sun, and began our next journey through the wheel of the year.  It’s now at Imbolc that we see the first signs of natures burgeoning and spring to come. Imbolc is said to translate as in the belly, apt with it being the beginning of lambing, and a much broader reference to the boundless fertility of the natural world at this time. The seeds dispersed last autumn have waited patiently, nurtured by the Earth in preparation for this moment, beneath the litter of last years' glory, the green shoots of this year are beginning to stir.  Imbolc blessings /|\

Creepy woods

 

Creepy woods

Frosty out

You can't beat a crisp slightly Narnia-esque winter morning.

Swanage line

A steam train hurtles through a chilly January morning towards Corfe along the Swanage Line.

Gregorian calendar

 

It's 2026 and the first day of the Gregorian calendar has been lovely. 

Tummy rub?

I've met these pigs (a group of 8 or 9) a couple times foraging along the banks of Red Rise brook this pannage. These two rolled over like dogs to get their tummies rubbed, and enjoyed every minute of it. I was happy to be of service.

Winter Slostice

The dawn of the shortest day heralds the beginning of our journey back into the light; Winter Solstice is upon us. Celebrate as hope is rekindled, the Sun is reborn, and another cycle begins. The forest is always beautiful, though this morning it was particularly so. It so often is. Even so, it still never fails wow you. Muffled by the mists which hung heavily in the valleys and clung to the stands, the forest was bathed in an air of tranquillity; fitting for such an auspicious morning. Solstice Blessings /|\

New generation

 

After years of hosting, what had been my go to Mistletoe tree has gone, the hosts' life-force completely consumed by it's parasitic guest. Each year the mistletoe would increase it's spread until eventually it covered the entire tree. It became literally a mistletoe tree, and the bell tolled. Sad, though inevitable, nature is perpetual change. As if part of the plan over the years birds had deposited sticky mistletoe seeds in surrounding trees with many taking. With the old queen gone new hosts have stepped up, and the mistletoe community continues on. 

Up above the streets and houses

 

Rainbow climbing high, 

everyone can see it smiling, 

over the sky. 

Paint the whole world with a rainbow.

Craters

 

The forest in pocked with craters from the second world war, dozens of them. Some from deliberate Luftwaffe attacks, or dumping their munitions before the return trip across the channel; others were self inflicted in pursuit of victory. Near Godshill in the north of the forest is the site of a World War Two test range, the Ashley Range. They tested all sorts up here, both defensive and offensive; from air raid shelters and aircraft pens to Tall Boy and Grand Slam, the earthquake bombs whose craters are still visible adjacent to the mock submarine pen atop Hampton Ridge. They even tested 'Highball' a version of the Bouncing Bomb here. If you're into World War Two sites, it's a place worth exploring.

Levellers - Southampton Guildhall

 

This evening watching the levellers it's apparent that their edge has not been dulled by the years, they remain as sharp and committed as ever they've been. Some 40 years in the music industry have not swayed their ethics, their stance, nor the grind of modernity diminished their energy. In 40 years they've amassed a  library of notable albums packed with consistently solid tracks, each relevant to its' time. They’re a band that clearly care about their music, consummate performers never failing to deliver the audience a memorable evening of well honed artistry.  Tonight they kept that commitment to excellence with a stunning performance. It’s been 30 years since the release of Zeitgeist, an album containing some of their best loved tracks, tonights' set incorporated the entire album, plus a smattering a fan favourites from across the bands' expansive repertoire. A wonderful evening was had by all; the band appeared to be having fun, the audience certainly were. Great show, great sound, a great evening all round. 

Grace Petrie - Southampton Guildhall

This evening we found ourselves in Southampton, off to see the mighty Levellers. Their support, folky-protrest-rock type Grace Petrie. I hadn’t heard of Grace before this evening, although what I heard tonight I really enjoyed. She had to feel of an upgraded Billy Bragg, better vocally and lyrically; Grace has presence and warmth too. Her songs have energy, and powerful lyrics in the tradition of protest folk though brought modern. She appears at ease on stage, natural, and a sense of humour too, so easily lost in modernity. Grace engaged and involved the audience, it was a lovely experience. She said her job was to warm up the crowd for the levellers, and she did just that, and did it with gusto. If you get an opportunity to see her, take it.

Notable tree

I've always loved this wildly spreading oak on the edge of Sloden; with it's flamboyant animalistic characteristics it really makes its' presence felt. Definitely one of the forests notable oaks. You can't help but wonder how many other travellers have marvelled as they've passed.

Forest scene

The light through the stands this morning was special.

Dockens Water

 

Dockens Water, flowing again after its' long summer hiatus.

Pigs

A drift of pigs at pannage crowd the verge close to the ford at Moyles Court. A dozen or so of them, displaying a broad range of colour and pattern, busy hoovering up the fruits of the oak, they're being well fed this year. Always lovely to see them.

Shroom

One mushroom that's been particularly thin on the ground this year (at least about my roams) has been the Liberty Cap (Psilocybe semilanceata), you get years like that, the conditions just haven't been right. Though I feel inconsistency is becoming the norm, a consequence of the seasons slipping out of phase to to climatic change maybe. 

Wise words

Simple lyrics, two lines, stoic in tone. 

Samhain

 

The days are growing ever shorter, and now with last harvest safely gathered in, Samhain is upon us. Tonight the veil thins, a time to remember our ancestors and those who've gone before. This cycle has run its' course, it's a time to take stock, and count our blessings, it's a time to be grateful, and to give thanks. I hope the fates have been kind this year, and that your physical and metaphorical barns are full to burst, or at least well served. As darkness' reign begins we'll dream our dreams of spring. Flags, Flax, Fodder and Frigg y'all /|\

Flat Oak

 

Sad to find that one of the forests' elder statesmen, the Flat Oak of Wood Crates has lost one of its' three huge branches; the premier one too. This is an ancient oak, a remnant of a much older forest which existed prior to the 1700's and enclosure. They're a rarer phenomenon around the forest than you might imagine.

Noot

 

Noot '25. 

A31 subway at Upper Lazy Bushes.

Cauliflower fungus

One mushroom that appears to have fared well this season has been one of our less common, the Cauliflower fungus (Sparassis crispa). They've been more numerous this year than they've been for the last few years; on my roams at least. Considered edible good when young, although they're fiddly to prepare, taking a lot of cleaning. Remember, 110% on identification or leave well alone.

Bratley Wood autumn

 

Nice out. Bratley Wood.

Sneaky deer

 

I've not heard a stag roar for a while now, the rut must be coming to an end. As a consequence the groups of deer are beginning to dissipate. We disturbed a large group of Fallow Deer as we headed up from Bratley Water towards Bratley enclosure. They clocked our approach and quickly scattered; a few minutes later I spotted two of the stags back to back hidden amongst the browning bracken and scrub, a good defensive arrangement.

Sun kissed canopy

 

Early morning sun just catching the top of the canopy. Nice.