Cold out

 Cold out.

Buckherd Bottom

This morning we were chased through Buckherd Bottom by horses which took a dislike to us, or rather a dislike to Geoff. Normally the New Forest Ponies carry themselves with a air of stoic indifference, not this white one and her crew. Of course Geoff was made up, believing the ponies were finally game for playing he bounded about excitedly, dodging and weaving...them in pursuit. Me, I wasn't enjoying the excited Geoff / excited ponies dynamic so much, and I was happy when we eventually put some ground between us. 

Milkham

Until recently it'd been several years since since I'd walked over Bratley Plain way or the mosaic woodlands below it, and oh how Milkham Enclosure is changed. I remember last time I was this way they'd just begun harvesting some of the coniferous blocks, particularly those bordering the Linford Brook, remodelling and restoring the surrounding landscape as they went. That restoration process is now well on it's way to completion, and it looks great. Whole new vistas have been opened up. The conifers now mostly gone Linford Brook runs through it's cleared collect, winding through thin smears of newly freed deciduous trees hugging the embryonic brook here and there, before disappearing again into the stands.

Rainbow ghost

We saw a strange phenomena in the forest today. It was cold and misty this morning although by the time we walked the low escarpment of Rock Hills the Sun was rapidly burning the mists away. When right in front of us a ghostly rainbow appeared. At first it was rather ephemeral, phasing in and out of existence. I wondered at first whether it was even there, or maybe it was an illusion. When it became tangible it was made stranger by it being so close, it manifested right there in front of us. So close we could see both ends touch down, though we couldn't see the top of the arch, that was missing as the rainbow didn't extend beyond the height of the mists. Really cool. The ghostly rainbow even had ghostly colours, although if you focused too hard they disappeared, a strange optical allusion for sure. Then it faded and was gone. What a lovely sight, I felt blessed to have caught it's transience.

Dark Hat

I stood eyes closed, light sun illuminating my face, listening to the gentle gurgling of a forest rivulet, it was bliss. A trailer for Spring to come. It even smelt like it, or maybe that was my mind playing tricks. Bloody lovely whatever.

Wild wood

 

Wild wood

Sunset

It's been long time since I took notice of the evening sky, and that's been remiss of me.

Imbolc

The wheel delivers us once more to Imbolc and the land's awakening, out there the nascent potential of nature is tangible in her swelling buds, green shoots and early blooms. This time last year we couldn't have known that Covid would see our seeds for a year's hopes and dreams fall on salted ground, never even to sprout. It's been a hell of a 12 months. This year my hope is just one simple word...better. Better for everyone. Imbolc blessings y'all /|\

So wet

Walking around the fields over Walkford Moor Copse ways was a proper nightmare this morning. I hadn't imagined it to be so wet and by the time I'd come to that conclusion I was already committed. Gods was it wet. Water was actually bubbling up through the ground, it was so sodden. Everywhere was muddy...everywhere. There was no path or route that wasn't viscus and slippery, none. Of course I was wearing totally unsuitable footwear leading to frequent slipping and wet feet. It was a mostly grumpy mumbling walk this morning. 

Bratley Enclosure

Mossy Beech on Bratley Enclosure bank.

Bratley Arch

Bratley Water is one of the upper tributaries of the Lymington River, here at Bratley Arch it's still young having only formed a mile or so north in Slufters Bottom. The Slufters Bottom catchment area is a finger of broad valley sticking into Ocknell Plain, and when it rains heavily the run off causes the the valley bottom flood and the waters surge. Through Bratley Bottom these surges create multiple narrow competing channels through the trees and carr, each cutting through the underlying clays and exposing the tangled roots of trees as they go. As the waters recede first two then one channel will survive, the others will wait their time to be or their time has been and they'll begin to fill. The valley bottom is scared all over by centuries of these transient waterways. 

View from Acre's Down

 The view over Wick Wood and The Knowles from Acre's Down.

Pilmore Gate Heath

Carrying on with yesterdays World War Two themed post this morning we came across a bomb crater on the edge of Broom Hill enclosure and Pilmore Gate Heath. World War Two era bomb craters are quite common place throughout the forest, most dropped from enemy planes, although the Second World War Ashley Ranges are pocked from allied bomb tests, including the famous Bouncing Bomb, Grand Slam and Tallboy bombs. Some craters I know the stories of, or what the target was, others stories though are a mystery to me. It may be that some were just dumped after failed bomb raids before the bombers made for home at speed.

Roe Corner remains

The concrete and steel remains just beyond the gate at the corner of Roe enclosure have long been a mystery to me, not being shown on any maps I've seen, nor they or their purpose mentioned in any text I've read. I can only imagine what they represent. When they are mentioned the collection of what look like different mountings or some such which stand within an area of low lumps and bumps which may represent buried features and scatters of broken brickwork, it's always suggested that they represent World War Two remains associated with the nearby wartime Stoney Cross Airfield. I could see that, and maybe they are World War Two era, although not associated with the Airfield. I think maybe they represent the remains of a saw mill; over 400,000 tons of timber were removed from the New Forest between '39 and '45. Some of the concrete remains and mountings here resemble features I've seen at other sites in the forest, two of them are datable sawmill sites; Millyford Bridge a World War One sawmill and Anderswood a World War Two/Post War sawmill. That said, it could be that the remains represent more than one site, the concrete plinth in the bottom photo is a good 50m main group of features and may not be connected. 

Ober Water

The forest was cold today, though we'd not been blessed with the snow our near neighbours enjoyed. I think we just got sleet, now hardened by frost. Even by mid morning any ground that hadn't been kissed by the Sun remained frozen, often coated in a slippery ice glaze, and lightly crusted standing water stood everywhere. The light this morning was lovely, bringing out the richness of forest's winter palette and texture. As we approached an engorged Ober Water which now flooded much of the shallow valley I had to smile, as the bridge stood a few of meters or so into the swelled stream, access to cut off bridges a typical conundrum in the winter forest. The water wasn't that deep, though still deep enough to risk wet feet if walked. So I did that running tippy toe thing, it's never totally effective nevertheless effective enough. Later on our walk we recrossed the Ober, this time it wasn't so simple a process involving a 25m or so boots off wade through icy cold shin deep gravel bottomed waters. Yes, it was really very cold and underfoot was decidedly pointy. Although once dried and back in my boots my feet felt fantastic, remarkably refreshed by their icy bath and sole massage. A stunning outing, much needed. 

Berry Beeches

Berry Beeches

 

Undersley Wood

Undersley Wood

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.

Mud Club

Geoff was sure there'd be other muddy pools in the forest, 

but just in case.

Milkham

The open coniferous stands of Milkham enclosure.

Buckherd Bottom

 

Buckherd Bottom

Wartime graffiti

Another for the wartime period graffiti collection. 1944 above O.R.C, carved into a beech trunk at the corner of Slufter's where the confluence of a major, a minor and a number of forest roads would have been during the forties, and not too far from RAF Stoney Cross, also known to the American's of 367th Fighter Group and 387th Bombardment Group as USAAF Station AAF-452.

Bratley Plain barrow (one of)

Above is one of a cluster of seven Bronze Age Barrows which themselves form part of the larger and well dispersed Bratley Plain Barrow cemetery. This barrow is one of the better preserved of the group, at about 7m wide, and reduced by time and robbing/'excavation' from it's original height to about 1m or.  In the centre of the mound is an irregular hollow, evidence of the earlier robbing/'excavation'. The mound would've been surrounded by a ditch which is now for the most part filled with debris excavated from the mound, with only a small partially filled section remaining visible. There are in excess of 400 barrows remaining across the new forest suggesting a sizeable Bronze Age population.

Eagle Oak

At near the same size as the nearby Knightwood Oak, we can assume that the Eagle Oak at a girth of 5.4 meters is about 600 years old, and so one of the oldest trees in the forest. Pre dating the Knightwood enclosure (1867) and the coniferous plantation in which it's now set by well over 400 years, we can only imagine the Eagle Oaks original setting.  It's name denotes the trees infamy as the tree in which the last New Forest Sea Eagle was shot by a local game keeper in 1810. Happily the Sea Eagle soars  again over the forest stands, with several sightings last year sparking hopes of a population developing local.

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

Undersley Wood

 Undersley Wood.

Beech Bed

After a couple centuries on the forest's stage (Beech Bed being enclosed in 1830), this veteran old lady's tenure has been truncated by the elements as she boughs out gracefully with a deep respectful bow. I say her tenure's come to and, although that's a might previous of me, we'll have to see if anything comes of the remaining upright trunk. 

Mark Ash

At the furthest point of our walk today we found ourselves amongst the tall ancient and veteran stands of Mark Ash, what a stunning area of forest it is. Mark Ash is picturesque open woodland, popular with ponies, deer and in Autumn people taking autumnal tinted photos. I'd imagine it's what people would think of as New Forest forest. Sadly the woodland is becoming ever more open as the years pass, over grazing by hungry ponies has led to too many trees being ringed and subsequently dying, coupled with that the increased onslaught of the elements are really taking their toll. I'll admit it slightly colours our walks here with a sense of loss and sadness. Still a wonderful place and walking mind.

1947

 

L, something indistinguishable, Aged 16 1947, next to which is the initial outline of an aborted 'A', by the same caver I suspected, who probably decided it was better to have their age and date below their initials rather than next to them. The forest here would have been very different in 1947, it would've been much quieter then, Cadnam Road wasn't the busy 4 laned monster it is today. Nowadays there's no access off the Cadnam Road between Pickets Post and Stoney Cross, back in 1947 there were a number of opportunities access minor and forest roads. At this corner of Slufter's was a confluence of a major, a minor and a number of forest roads, probably a popular place to take a break. Maybe L was passing on a journey, picnicking or maybe he was part of one families who were housed on the nearby decommissioned Stoney Cross Airfield (the other end of Slufters) post World War Two. I think it's an interesting piece as it highlights the difficulty in ageing carved graffiti, if it wasn't dated, I'd have assumed it more recent, the nature of it and the scaring look so similar to pieces I've recorded from the the late 70's early 80's. Just goes to tell you can't.  L would be 90 this year. I wonder what their journey's been like? And whether they remember, or have revisited their handy-work?

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.

Burley Old clearing

The clearing in Burly Old has continued to slowly develop through the year, I think consolidated and expanded would be apt. It's rustic palisade has been substantially reinforced and strengthened, it's now quite impressive, the entrances have been barred to keep out ponies and it's regularly maintained, the floor's always swept clean and there's food for the myriad birds who frequent it's bounds. It's a lovely spot, clearly made and kept with love and attention to detail. In my opinion it's functional woodland art, and recently the artist as expanded their canvas. The environs beyond the central enclosed area have been tidied up, the whole project's coming on nicely. We stayed a while and watched the birds come and go, today it was mainly Robins.

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.

Last full moon of the year

The sky was for the most part clear for the last full moon of the year, and it was cold too. The moon shone majestically. I'd had to settle for reduced fires last few full moons. The sense of openness around the fire was exaggerated by us having hard cut our Hazel trees in autumn and more so by our neighbour removing the thick mature mixed deciduous hedge that bordered our properties, bummer really, it's dense twisted branches and seasonal berries were popular with so many birds. I'll plant anew, that's the plan anyway. The fire burnt bright, the best fire I'd had in ages and I enjoyed it's warmth and dancing light. Well. What a truly shite year it's been, pandemic, brexit, a sense of profound political, ideological and social change, coupled with the appreciation that swathes of my country folk are either cognitively lacking or emphatically deficient, or both. Worst of all the understanding that there's absolutely no chance of the social or environmental changes we required whilst society is structured as it is and people are arses, only the illusions of change. There are things I'm still grateful for mind, some I'm really grateful for, and I for those I give my humble and heartfelt thanks.

Creepy bog woodland

When winter's set in proper, Camel Green literally sinks into it, becoming as creepy a fairytale woodland as you could imagine. Once flooded it takes months for the waters to disappear. In the meantime unless you're wellied you'd best choose your route well or at least be prepared to double back because of unpredictable depth waters or fallen decaying debris or a combination there of. Or of course, you can accept getting wet. I think rendering in black and white only adds to the sense of creepy.

When the Warm Times Come by Andy Roid

 

It's the time of year for gifts and Andy Roid's (Here & Now, Music of the Andys) latest single release 'When the Warm Times Come' is just that, a real Yuletide treat. 'When the Warm Times Come' was written to celebrate the Winter Solstice in 2019 and incorporates a wonderful poem of the same name by Norman Lies. As you'd expect from Andy's music it's deeply atmospheric, all rich textures creating almost tangible soundscapes. The opening eerie drone slowly twists and morphs into a haunting retro 80's sci fi style vibe, through which weave threads of the mystical and magical, of something approaching or emerging, dawning, it's audio but you can't help but experience it almost cinematically. Andy's an electronic/synth wizard for sure. To my ear some Andy Roid tracks have something of the 70's weird to them, a sense of something mysterious just out of view in the shadows, something unearthly or otherworldly maybe, there's definitely some of that going on here. Bassy yet sharp reverberating electronic sounds mark your arrival in an alien space, a strange futuristic world, then the introduction of Norman Lies earthy pagan flavoured poem juxtaposes the two worlds of scifi and nature sending them swirling and blending seamlessly. Wonderful stuff. It works perfectly as a captivating aural accompaniment to our strange times, and in the poem we find hope, an understanding of the timelessness of the seasonal wheel balanced with an anticipation of better times to come. Lovely. Go check it out, and his other releases on his bandcamp whilst you're there.