17.11 The New Forest
0200 I have slept really well until now. I’m having trouble getting back to sleep so I read for a bit and take another valerian tablet.
0530 Coffee time. I’m checking trains and discover industrial action planned for today. But I don’t think it will affect me.
I just remembered something from my visit to Stow-in-the-Wold that I didn’t mention. One of the gift stores I visited had the most amazing warm spicy smell of orange and cinnamon. It embraced you as soon as you entered. Very festive.
0630 Breakfast and it’s quiet again. Just how I like it.
0750 I leave for the train station. Today I want to visit part of The New Forest. Em had recommended this and I am keen to check it out. It’s a big area so I can only pick one part. I have decided to walk around a village called Brockenhurst.
0823 Great Western Railway service to Bristol Temple Meads, calling at Portsmouth & Southsea, Fratton, Cosham, Farnham and Southampton Central. There are lots of seats reserved on this train.
0907 I alight at Southampton Central. It’s chilly while I’m not moving and there is light cloud.
0926 The South Western Railway service to Bournemouth calling at Brockenhurst.
0943 I alight at Brockenhurst and immediately start the first of two walks I have chosen.
The first walk takes me through woodlands and forest as well as around a large open area with horses grazing. The amazing thing about The New Forest is that there are horses and deer roaming freely. The towns have gates and cattle grids to contain them and/or keep them out but other than that they are “wild”.
The trees are all golden in colour and the ground is a massive burnt gold carpet of fallen leaves. It’s a very monochromatic experience as you can see from the photos. At parts I am walking through woods totally alone. Towards the last quarter though, there are many of other people having a Saturday morning walk.
1150 I finish my first walk. 9 km. I’m a bit weary but I want to continue to my next walk. I stop for a drink and snack in the village first. The cloud is almost gone.
1200 I start the second walk. This begins in the town and then takes me through completely different landscape. Open fields with heather and more grazing horses. We do enter some woodland with streams.
1340 I finish my second walk. 8.6 km. My feet are killing me.
1343 I arrive back at the train station just as the right train arrives … I think. I get onboard anyway and cross my fingers.
1344 We depart and it’s the right train. Phew! Now to rest my legs.
1357 We arrive back at Southampton Central.
1405 Change trains and depart Southampton Central.
1450 I arrive back at Portsmouth Harbour.
1500 I get back to the hotel and have a long hot shower. Unfortunately, there’s no bath in this hotel and I think that’s going to hamper my recovery. I spend some time looking at photos and resting.
1600 It’s beautiful and clear outside and the sun is beginning to set. I decide to head outside to walk around. I get some nice pictures of the sunset. Although it’s cold, it feels very much like the seaside.
1630 I’m exhausted. Today’s walks have worn me out and my legs are really sore. I’m going to relax in bed with my legs up and doze off in front of the TV.
