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Autumn Walk 2011 Burley New Forrest,
29/09/2011 - 02/10/2011
Thursday 29th September 2011,
Travel day Ian, Richard, Pat met at Dicks at 18:45 before picking up Paul and heading off. We arrived at Burley around 21:00 a good run despite heavy traffic no hold ups. Once we had checked in and made our beds we moved on to the White Buck Hotel to wash away the dust from our journey, where we met Pete and Norman. Norman had made a late decision to come down staying in a B&B, whilst Pete was with the others in the Hostel.
Walking between the hostel and Hotel was interesting, as torches were needed there being no street lights and under trees it was dark. Also you had to avoid the pot holes and Ponies.
After working our way along the pumps, (despite the bar maids doubts, only 4) we returned to rest ready for the next days expedition.
Friday 30th September
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The weather was misty to start when we arose but by the time we had had an excellent breakfast it had burned off and was already getting warm. The day continued with clear blue sky and temperature rising steadily through the day.
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Steve came down early and joined us for breakfast. Norman and Pete went off to Beaulieu where they saw Murray Walker the rest all walked.
Paul said be ready at 09:00 to Ian, thinking that this meant 09:30 as usual (Ian always takes longer to get organised) nearly causing Dick to get left behind as he was working on normal principles, he was soon ready only realising later he had left his map behind.
The route taken was from Burley YHA back to the hotel turning left to the cross roads then over them to get to Woods Corner, then through the forest via South Oakley Inclosure, Woolfield Hill, North Oakley Inclosure, past the Deer Sanctuary to the Canadian war Memorial. After a short break it was on to Mogshade Hill, Fritham Cross to the underpass on the A31, Winding Stonard, Ocknell Pond, Cadman’s Pond, Holly hatch Cottage (lots of antlers hanging on the fence there) through Broomy Inclosure to The High Corner Inn for lunch and refreshment.
After lunch we carried on along Broomy Walk, Amie’s Wood, Amie’s Corner, into Roe’s Enclosure, to the Underpass by Upper Lazy Bushes, Brackley Holmes, Old House, South Oakley Enclosure back into Burley where we stopped at the Queens Head for a tea break before returning to the Hostel. Whilst we were there Paul organised some bikes for those who were cycling on Sunday and it was decided to eat at The Burley Inn later (this proved to be a good decision as both food and ale were very good).
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All had felt the day’s exertions with the Heat and hard surface. Dick had blisters the size of 10p’s so he drove to dinner taking as many as he could carry in his car. After dinner we returned to The White Buck Hotel. It had however been a good day seeing plenty of wildlife including Buzzards, Deer, Ponies, Cattle and Pigs (domesticated but foraging in the woods)
Saturday 1st October.
After a misty start the weather again cleared into a hot Indian summer with little breeze.
Once another fine breakfast had been despatched it was back to business. Pete and Norman went to Burley for a wonder around before Norm went Home, Pete then Joined Dick and Richard at Key Haven meeting at The Gunners Inn. A very pleasant small town with lots of small boats, views of the Solent and Isle of Wight .
Andy arrived in time to go on the walk with Paul, Steve, Ian and Pat. They walked across Wiverley Plain to Bank for a lunch time stop at the Oak Inn and back to Burlet via the reptile centre and Bolderwood.
Again all had a good time with lots more wildlife seen in the Forrest.
After a wash and change we went back to The Burley Inn for dinner as it had been so good the previous night. Once again we went back to The White Buck Inn but on the way Andy gave an impression of Patrick Moore by describing the Sky that could be seen that night. We also saw a shooting star.
Sunday 2nd October
Another cracking day no breeze and Sunshine getting hotter as the day went on.
Paul had planned a cycle route mostly on cycle paths out to Brokenhurst then on to East Boldre and The Turfcutters Inn for Lunch then back to burley to return the bikes, with a total distance of about 36 miles covered. Everyone then met at the hostel before going home.
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Dick, Richard and Pete went to Bucklers Hard for a wander around before meeting the others at the lunch time stop. Pete went straight home from there. The others all met back at the Hostel before returning home, thankfully all had uneventful journeys home despite Dick nearly going the wrong way on to the M25 though there was heavy traffic at times.
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