Old Ford to long gone wood

 

You'd be forgiven for not recognizing it, though this was once the site of a well used track from Red Rise into Red Rise Furze Brake; at this point the track crossed what was the old course of Red Rise Brook (now the restored course) and was the site of seasonal ford. Now open heathland back in the early 90's Red Rise Furze Brake was all tightly packed conifers, a dark claustrophobic companion to the open and airy deciduous stands of Red Rise. Even though nearly 30 years have passed, the stream's been restored and the conifers have gone, when ever we pass by my minds eye still sees the spot as it was all those years ago, and I'm looking into a woodland that's no longer there; it's funny how vividly images can stick in your mind.

Dockens dip

 

Back in the mid 80's I had an old Hillman Avenger, it was an indestructible machine, the T34 of small family cars. One winter's day we were Woodford Bottom way, over towards The High Corner, it's all nameless unmade-up roads...good exploring country. The New Forest was a different place then. We thought we'd see what lay beyond the ford through Docken Water, being winter the stream was running slightly deeper than usual, but still we thought...why not. I knew I'd need some speed to get through, although I accelerated down the slope with a bit too much gusto. The water was deeper than I'd thought and......splash! Of course the water swamped the engine, stalling it, luckily we had enough momentum to get the car beyond the stream. If you remember old cars, damp could be a problem, and with the engine wet through, no way was the engine going to start. So, it was pop the bonnet, dry the distributor cap and leads etal and wait. When dried out the engine started to a cheer, and we were off. Our odyssey could continue. Thing is, turning the corner the road came to an abrupt end, and a swift three point turn later we were facing the swollen stream again. This time though our exit was steeper, of course we didn't make it, and had to get cold wet feet pushing the car out before going through the whole lengthy drying rigmarole again. I'd not thought of that misadventure for years.