Frosted glass

Jack Frost continues to haunt the forest, this morning the puddles and pools were as frosted glass, I mean they looked just like it. 
 

Frosty out.

Lost in the blinding whiteness of the tundra. Well, not exactly, through the forest was dusted throughout with ice, and its' puddles well glazed. Jack Frosts' last huzzah as spring fast approaches maybe. I read that the temperatures over Europe have been a degree or so higher than average, that surprised me. I'd felt that it had been colder than in recent years, more frosty mornings and all; turns out England has been enjoying cooler temperatures that average, and that of Europe. Apparently it's all to do with La Nina. I'm not complaining I enjoy a cold winter. Feels proper.

Nippy out

This morning found Jack Frost had left his frosty fingerprints all over Anthonys' Bee Bottom, ooh err! How 1970's. That aside, it was bloody cold out on our roam today; it was the first morning when I've really felt winters approach.

Icicle falls

Our route this morning took us along the narrow meanderings of Bratley Water  as it snakes it's way through North Oakley and Smokey Hole before joining Blackersford Brook; I love the young forest streams, there's a particular feel of wilderness to them that I enjoy.  As I said yesterday, winter's far from done and that's nowhere more apparent that out here in the forest where Jack still reigns supreme. In places the puddle ice remains 30/40mm thick, even the edges and deeper pools in the meander bends retain a thin icy frosting, and where woodland debris congregates to form natural dams those dams are turned into sculptures of ice and icicle. Very nice too.

Studland beach

You know it must be bloody cold out when Jack Frost is able to leave his mark on the salty environment of coastal sands; but this morning he did, and in spades. Nice out though, and as usual with an early start on our outward stretch we had the beach to ourselves. It was an early start too, as yet again the chain ferry between Sandbanks to South Haven Point is out of action and we had the long drive around Poole Harbour (25 miles or so); the ferry was supposed to be back running weeks ago after a service, although it was badly damaged on it's journey to Falmouth for aforementioned service so wont return until the end of February at the earliest. It's fated to troubles, man, it seems to have suffered issue after issue in recent years.

First proper frost

The wheel's turned and autumn's given way to winter, and winter's leaned into it's duties with relish; this morning saw the first proper frost of the year, and Jack's dusting endured throughout the day.

Ooh!

Ooh, this is the third or forth morning in row now that we've had a fairly hard dusting of frost. I'm glad I've not got anything in the ground yet down the lotty; the last few years of increasingly predictable unpredictable weather has taught me that early planting isn't necessarily the good strategy is was.

Oooh, it's nippy out.

Oooh, it was nippy out in the forest this morning, a proper frost covered all exposed surfaces; it's good to see Jack active amongst the stands. That said, the weather of late has been a proper roller-coaster, cold followed by the warmest New Year on record, followed by an icy snap; it's not right, whatever happened to seasonal predictability and consistency. Forest winters are always best when they're cold.

First frost

 The first proper frost of the the season; all hail Jack's return!

Cold out

 Cold out.

Ice art

Jack's frosty fingers had been doodling overnight, leaving this fantastic icy graffiti over the roof of the car, the millions of tiny individual icicles were just so detailed. The beauty of the World and her elements never fails to amaze.

Wintery Walk

It was another frosty morning for our walk in the forest. This morning we began from Wood's Corner on the outskirts of Burley. Getting out early doors meant we beat the hordes, the empty parking spot felt old skool, since the Covid the forest footfall has exploded. Luckily most don't walk far from their cars or remain on the the main tracks, making it easy still to escape and find peace. There was no one about as we skirted the edge of Berry Woods taking in the view over White Moor Bottom; crossing Ridley Green the Mill Lawn Brook tributary running through there was frozen, not seen that in forever; Ridley wood's a lovely old wood set within an ancient earthwork, it's home to some fantastic old beeches, sadly many have been slighted by age and the elements in recent years; we passed Little Wood a clump crowning Ridley Plain before descending into Harvest Slade Bottom, a spookily quiet spot this morning, then up onto Backley Plain; past Soarley Beeches along the edge of Backley Enclosure and across Blackensford Bottom, from where the clump of Soarley Beeches looked like an hillfort in the distance...it's not; then it was the return stretch through the irregular mosaic woodlands of Beech Bed and South Oakley enclosures. 7 miles of New Forest winter loveliness. You can't beat it.

Today

Our walk this morning started like this and 7 miles later finished like that. The transformation in-between times was striking. What a wonderful world.

Ferny Knap Barrow

Jack had been busy in the forest overnight, the moat of Ferny Knap's larger Iron Age Round Barrow was frozen solid, and the heather and browned bracken which cover and surround in were dusted crunchy white. A stunning winter world.  It's been a long while since we've seen the forest like this, too long in fact. This is premium walking weather, and rare enough for it to be really savoured and enjoyed.

Jack in the woods

Jack's been out spreading icy mischief about the forest, any exposed water is  adorned in a crunchy glaze, every frond and leaf languishing in the frosty shade is dusted like a chilly doughnut and still his shivery breath fills the hollows, piercing any exposed skin. The forest's cold, I know, it should be, it's winter, and the addition of a northerly wind ensures you really feel it. Even a increasingly determined sun lends little relief, though any momentary relief is welcomed and embraced, no matter how weak or fleeting. Lovely walking mind.

Jack's back

Jack's back, has his winter tenure begun? 

Jack cometh

Jack's letting us know he's coming, his dominion is near. First frost I've seen this year. Light maybe, but frost nevertheless.