Old road

I enjoy walking along this old section of road, I like seeing the views once common, though now invisible; to the road users that is. I think it's the archaeologist in me. I enjoy exploring the phenomenology of how people experience/would have experienced landscapes, be they ancient or less so; the difference in aspect between the old and new road courses in this case. This is a 500m or so former length of the A35 sweeping down Markway Hill; the new course of the road now running through a cutting a couple of dozen meters to the left of this photo, the former over the brow of the hill with expansive views across the forest...how different the forest looks from the old course. I don't know when exactly (I'm imaging the 60's/70's) or why the road was changed, though I'd imagine it was a combination of the sweeping corner in front and the blind summit behind me; still, this section of old road is remains replete with stone curbing, residual metalling and even the occasional cats eye. I'm amazed sometimes at the mundane things that interest me, but they do.

Verge clearance

With the A35 closed the authorities have taken the opportunity to cut some of the verges back hard; I don't remember them ever being so clear. The transformation is highlighted by the uncut verge opposite; a striking difference. The clearance has certainly opened up the road, as well as the views across Ober Water below Markway Bridge. 

Quiet time

The best thing about the A35 being closed is the tranquillity it brings to the surrounding countryside. I've sat here on the banks of Black Water below the A35 countless times over the years, it's a favoured spot; I've boiled up a brew, taken a picnic, meditated, or simply taken the opportunity to appreciate the woodland whilst being serenaded by the stream as it negotiates it's meandering course. Usually this spot is far enough from the road to muffle the sounds of traffic, but not far enough to negate it completely; today though for the first time, I had the opportunity to hear the forest's song as nature intended. Bliss.

A35

 

The A35 is the old Southampton/Exeter road, and remains a major east/west route through the New Forest and across southern England; usually busy it's an important and well used road. It's currently closed between Hinton to Rhinefield for the replacement of the Holmesley bridge. This morning we took the opportunity to saunter along the closed carriageway; the aesthetic reminded me of scenes from the Walking Dead.

Wronguns in the Forest

This sort of thing pisses me off. Some wrongun has cut through the wire fencing flanking the A35, on both sides of the carriage way too! I imagine it was done to allow a hound to get through. These sorts of things have been on the increase since the National Parks Authority began to heavily market the forest, and that's only been expatiated by the Corona. At the same time the NPA has not replaced gated crossings, as well as not ensuring adequate access for hounds at crossing points, it may be frustrating, although that's no excuse for creating dangerous accesses on to the road...that just shows folks ignorance of the forest and their sense of entitlement. Beyond that it lends weight to the calls of those who'd see more legislation introduced to curtail and control activities in the forest. Pisses me off