Worts gutter

They're replacing the road bridge on the A35 at Holmesley, as a consequence a couple of mile section of the A35 is scheduled to be closed until April, denying us easy access to our usual roams; as such, alternative roams need rostering.  So we find ourselves walking in parts of the forest I've not regularly walked in years; in fact, not since around 2012-ish when Norris was young, so 10 years. It's quite exciting to see how much the landscape has and hasn't changed, and whether or not I remember the lay of the land and it's paths; so far so good. I'm looking forward to reacquainting myself, and acquainting Geoff with this wonderful tract of the forest and it's inhabitants. Today's initial foray was a joy.

One year on

It's a year today since we lost Norris, the finest of hounds, and the best of friends.

Pennington Marsh

We used to walk the sea wall which protects Pennington Marshes from the Solent regularly when the forest became too wet and muddy. Starting and finishing at Keyhaven, you can take a really nice circular route all along the coast and return via a variety of interesting inland tracks, with lovely views throughout. There's no shelter on this walk, it's open to what the elements have to share and although beautiful this morning, it can be very different in bad weather, still stunning, though. We hadn't walked here for some years though, as Norris got older he developed arthritis in his front paws, the sea wall path is hard packed aggregates and became too difficult for him to manage.  Unlike many of the walks we neglected in recent years, this one hasn't changed a bit. Nice way to start the day.

Rock Hills view

Across the forest it's the season when the land is blanketed in rainbow hues, the colours and range of colours are stunning, the more you look, the more shades you see. There's plenty more colour yet to come as autumn works its wonders. The descent from Spy Holms through Rock Hills, down to Red Rise, is surely one of my favourite views in the forest, and for certain the view I have enjoyed on more occasions than any other.  If one roam defined my walks with Norris, it was this one. It's the pocket forest. It has it all, all the New Forest archetype environments: forest lawn, heath, wetland, bog, stream, ancient and veteran woodland.  And all can be explored in 3 to 6 mile walks of near infinite variation. I couldn't hazard a guess as to how many walks we took around this roam over the years. Whilst stood amongst the majestic stands of Burley Old, I call Norris three times, his name echoes through the forest. I shiver. I don't really understand why I do it....my spiritual beliefs, in part, in remembrance, yeah for sure, but mostly I think it's because I miss him, I feel lost as much as loss, and calling his name seems to help. I wondered if I was being weird? I don't know. I don't care to be honest, it works for me. Afterwards I close my eyes and breath deeply, I feel enveloped by calm as the memories held in the wood seep into my mind, then a smile crosses my face as memories of Norris in the stand play in my minds eye. Not ones for staying on the path, every part of this roam has been thoroughly explored over the years, I don't think there's piece of it that doesn't hold a memory or two. 

Walking

Today was my first walk in the forest without Norris, it was emotional. I chose Redrise Shade and its environs as it was a part of the forest we walked together more than any other.  It's a choice walk as has it all, a meandering stream, majestic veteran trees in Burly Old and areas of open lawn. Norris loved it here. He loved to swim, on some walks here spent as much time in the streams as out, and he loved the stands and the opportunity to chase deer.  A difficult walk, though one that had to be faced.

Norris

 Norris  7th February 2005 to 9th September 2017

Over the years, when talking about walking, I've used the plural pronoun 'we', and when I have, invariably it has referred to myself and Norris, my beautiful trusty hound and friend. Sadly today I lost that friend, and I am truly heartbroken.  A unique and irreplaceable spirit, Norris showed boundless love, gave a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on, he never judged and was unfaltering loyal.  Norris was always happy and friendly, enthusiastic for the adventure ahead, any adventure, and of course very enthusiastic about food. He brought joy to all our lives. My constant companion, we shared a deep bond, trusting each other implicitly, he carried me through difficult times and was always there for me.  Consistently by my side (unless he saw deer, of course), we walked thousands of miles together over the years, and that's no exaggeration. I'd GPS our walks and one year we'd walked over 1600 miles; mostly through the New Forest, Cranborne, West Dorest and Purbeck. When I stopped to take a photo, he waited patiently, if I fell asleep in the woods, he'd always be sat right next to me wagging when I awoke. I know he achieved a good age at 12 and a half, and I know his passing was inevitable, but still I feel his loss so sharply. Norris had remained mostly fit and healthy for a dog of his age, and although he'd slowed down in recent times,and required orthopaedic boots, he remained young at heart and full of enthusiasm, still enjoying our near daily walks in the forest he adored. It was a privilege to have had Norris in my life, and to count him as my friend; he enriched my life no end, and I hope in return I enriched his. I love him so, and I will miss him terribly, though I know he'll always be walking with me, as our spirits are bound, and I shall always carry him in my heart. 

This is my blog, so of course it reflects my feelings, though it's not just me who mourns, our whole family loved and were loved by Norris, each member shared their own individual unique bond with him and all are broken hearted.

Goodbye my friend.

These boots were made for walking.

These boots were made for walking. My walking companion Norris is an old fella now, and having walked thousands of miles with me over the years has developed arthritis in his paws, particularly his front ones. So, it's orthopaedic boots for him. He's still a bit unsure and still has the occasional trip, though he's stopped walking like a dressage pony and certainly finds gravelly surfaces easier. Looks quite dapper too. I may well get a back pair, then he'll have 'four paw drive' for those difficult off road walks.

Hide and seek

The hollowed trunk of a slighted leviathan made an ideal hiding place, of course I was up against a master in the art of location and was soon to be found.

Playtime

It's rare for the forest ponies to approach you, more so if you've got a hound with you and it's even rarer for a foal to approach you. But that's what happened today. A lovely young foal made directly for me and allowed me to pat and stroke it, before playing with Norris for some while. It would have continued to play if we hadn't move on, rare indeed. It was a lovely moment on a lovely morning walk. 

Lookout

The lookout.