At Bolderford Bridge, near Brockenhurst, the 3 streams that make up the headwaters of the Lymington River are united; first Fletchers Water merges with Highland Water, shortly after Ober Water joins for the final stretch to the sea. They represent the longest streams in the forest. All 3 streams originated in the high central plateau of the forest, the head waters of Bratley and Highland Waters are less than a kilometer apart on Ocknell Plain and Mill Lawn Brook near Pickets Post.
The only remaining straight section of Fletchers Water, about a kilometre long, between Fletchers Thorns and Highland Water, looks marked for 'restoration', spray can pink dots and pollarding instructions adorn those chosen to fall. The rest of the stream, all the way from its beginnings as Bratley Water, through Blackensford Brook to Black Water and sections of Fletchers Water have been remodelled, their surrounding stands restored to bog woodland. It's always been a bit of a weird walk, unnatural feeling and unlike other sections its restoration wont be lamented.
Damp mists fill the stands of Fletchers Thorns (1829), sweeping amongst the trunks, through the naked canopy and along the course of the recently remodelled Fletchers Waters; Fletchers Water, now shallower, with restored meanders, flows vigorously towards its destiny, swelled by melt water and recent rain. As intended, the remodelling of the stream has encouraged water to flow beyond the banks, spilling into the surrounding woodland, filling any shallow gully or hollow and creating a new alien landscape. Changes necessitate frequent and awkward diversions from my chosen path along the bank in order to negotiate the newly created watery obstacles. Above a pure white Egret glides through the canopy, using the stream to navigate deep into the forest hinterland; their presence a testament to the improving water quality of the forest streams and the increased fish stock there in.
Snow still lingers in the fields and on hillsides of the Purbecks, ice still crusts puddles and a chill wind swirls through the land. From the heights of Nine Barrow Down a speeding steam train can be seen racing along the restored line towards Harmons Cross, between Corfe and Swanage; a sight of yester year.
Poole Harbour is cold and forbidding, its icy waters lapping upon a frozen shore whose sandy matrix has surrendered to frost and now displayed the characteristics of set cement. Icy fingers augment this shoreline, the paths of water draining from the wet heathland, now resembling thick weathered bottle glass melted then re solidified. Around us a cold wind blows through the shore side shrubs and grasses, off across the mill pool still waters of the harbour, whilst residual snow can be seen on the distant Purbeck Hills.
Still -2 in the afternoon and although the snow stopped falling several days ago now, its remains endure in the sheltered parts of the forest, while where water stands or covers any open land it has frozen solid; winter retains a firm grasp on the land.
Winter Solstice, the shortest day, the longest night. Snow blankets the ground; Jack frost plies his mischief over hill and vale. Boughs are bare amongst the skeletal stands and little stirs. Seeds lay waiting for their moment, while the land sleeps and darkness rules. Dawn sees the wheel turn on its tireless transit, the new sun is born from the horns of the moon. Our march to spring has begun; light will increase whilst darkness retreats. Solstice greetings and hopes that your journey is filled with all you'd need.
The direction of the incoming freeze is clearly visible on the trees and shrubs of Wilverly Plain and Enclosure (1809); their eastern faces dusted with a crispy white icing sugar like glaze, whilst the western sides retain their natural hues. With crystal clad heather, lustrous bracken fronds and solid patterned puddles, the plain has taken on the aspect of a wild and magical land. Walking across Holm Hill is a mix of crunches, as you break the thin ice which covers even the most ephemeral of water and slides, as you slip on the greased glass like ground surfaces where the saturated earth has frozen solid.
