Weekend Trip – New Forest
Friday 7th - Monday 10th February 2025
10 of us (plus the Poppy Dog) had a great weekend in the New Forest last weekend, staying in an exceptionally comfortable cottage near Lymington.
Our first day’s walking took us through the Key Haven marshes, just to the west of Lymington. Formerly what was once an industrial landscape centred around the extraction of salt is now a haven for wildlife, and something a bit special for the birdwatchers. The various raised banks enabled the walk to be shortened for those that didn’t want to walk so far, whilst the remainder of us reached Hurst Beach where we were treated to fantastic views across Poole Bay to Swanage and the Purbeck hills. Or we would have been if the cloud base wasn’t quite so low!
On the Sunday a slightly smaller group headed into the Forest proper, stepping out from Beaulieu Road station. Having planned a less demanding walk, we took advantage of the much brighter weather and excellent conditions (mostly) underfoot to extend the walk – more than once – in true Highdown style. A highlight was getting to see the Beaulieu letters, an important part of a very old airfield. Another fantastic full day’s walking.
Our final half day’s walk saw us taking it a little bit easier as we walked beside the Beaulieu river from Beaulieu to Bucklers Hard. Rather chilly, especially in a biting February wind but a lovely way to end the weekend.
Open log fire, lovely meals and of course, great company. And lovely beds … I was still dreaming of our exceptionally comfortable bed many days later …
Alison
Day Walk - Botolphs - Saturday 1st February 2025
Day Walk - Amberley and Burpham - Sunday 19th January 2025
Despite the weather being chilly and just grey, we had a really good walk on Sunday The going was really good underfoot, and we set - and maintained - a fantastic pace for the whole walk, and we completed the 13 miles in what seemed like record time.
This walk saw us joined by 5 people new(ish) to club, for some of whom it was their first walk with the club and all of whom acquitted themselves really well!
Even with the grey skies the views West to Arundel, north over the Sussex Weald and South towards the sea were great and reminded me what a fantastic part of the world we live in, and we are lucky to have on our doorsteps!
Poppy certainly slept well on Sunday night!
Alison
Langdale, Lake District September 2024
.jpg)
Staying at the perfectly located Robertson Lamb Hut in the Langdale Valley, 10 intrepid walkers completed a couple of classic Lake District walks. Walking out straight from the hut for both epic walks, on day one we headed up to the double summit of Pike of Blisco, bounced over Crinkle Crags and the awesome rocks and boulders taking on the 'Awkward Step' scramble which everyone took in their stride. Then a few continued on to soak up the breathtaking views from the summit of Bow Fell, with magnificent light shining across the world over us all. We were so lucky with the weather and made the most of it. It was a long slog back to be welcomed by the Old Dungeon Gyhll pub before home. Great cooks as always and a legendary trifle to complete the day.