Brockenhurst, the New Forest day 3

Puff, puff, puff. We thought we were cyclists. Today we decided to take a circular cycle route out from the campsite, through the forest to Lyndhurst. The first gradient was more than a little challenging. All the fitness we had built up from our cycle trip late summer last year, gone. Oh well, we have about three weeks to do something about it before we set off to Europe. 

We'd forgotten just how beautiful the New Forest was. The shrill sound of birdsong filled the air. Pond skaters skimmed across the waters of the streams. The sun was up, the people out. Lyndhurst was busy, as always on a nice day. We treated ourselves to hot drinks from the cafe at Woods Cyclery, before firing up our legs for the return trip. 

John later visited the Cyclery to size up parts for his bike, they have some really tasty parts for bike fanatics like John.

This evening it is the final of the Eurovision song contest. We met a couple walking into Brockenhurst to attend a Eurovision party, their outfits were brilliant. Back at Marge larger groups of people had arrived and the air was filled with the aroma from meat cooking on barbecue grills.

We'd bought venison burgers in Brockenhurst village and couldn't wait to get them on our grill. The weather looks good for the next couple of days, so we'll probably stay away in Marge a little longer. Why not?

Brockenhurst, the New Forest day 2

We stayed up late last night to watch the results of the Eurovision song contest. Well, that was a waste of time. Buoyed by last year's success, we had high hopes of a decent score. Well how wrong were we?

This morning as we raised the window blinds on our beautiful vista, we spotted a grey squirrel scuttling up a nearby tree before disappearing into the green canopy. Followed closely by a treecreeper. Small and active it explored the crevices in the bark for insects who thought they were safely hidden. All around us on the site campers packed up. We booked in for another night. Yesterday had been fantastic. Despite our aches and pains, we'd really enjoyed our cycle out. Today we planned to do it all again. 

Our sit bones were complaining a little, but we soon settled in to our ride. The forest much quieter today meant we could take in our surroundings at our leisure. Violet blue bluebells bathed in the sunlight that penetrated through the trees. Their heady scent permeating the air. We stopped to 'Forest Bathe'. Which effectively is taking in the forest atmosphere which supposedly will improve sleep quality, mood and the ability to focus whilst reducing stress. Sounds good to us. We plan to do more. 

This evening, our plan of a Chinese take-away or fish and chips were scuppered, so we fired up the grill and cooked sausages' once again. While they cooked, we reflected on our day.

This morning the couple camped across from us gave John an adaptor for the new gas burner that we'd bought for tent camping. It meant we could use gas cylinders as well as cartridges. As we bid them farewell, their classic Triumph Spitfire roared into life, a lasting flash of red as they drove through the trees. The kindness of strangers, we've experienced it so many times whilst travelling, and it lifts our hearts. 

Where to tomorrow, Marge? A couple we spoke to before going cycling this morning were from Romsey, around a thirty-minute drive down the road. We all agreed that you don't need to travel far from home to find a beautiful stop in your van. So, we'll probably drive just a little way from here tomorrow, not needing to be home until Tuesday. Maybe we'll slot in a spot of forest bathing before we leave here.