Poole, Dorset

Around nine-thirty last night as Angela took a walk around the campsite, she could hear the thudding of hoofs as the last of the ponies charged for the cover of the trees. This was our last evening with the ponies of the new forest, and we felt a little sad. We'd miss them. 

This morning we moved Marge a little way along the road to a parking area on the edge of Brockenhurst village, saddled up and for the third time in four days cycled through the forest to Lyndhurst, where we were entertained whilst we lunched in a garden area by the car park by a group of ladies from a nearby coach. 'Have you been?'' 'Mary's been'.  A desperate man tugged at one of the locked toilet doors. On the emergence of the lady occupant 'You nearly had company in there'. You really had to be there to appreciate the humour of the situation. 

Before leaving the town, viewed a house from the outside and registered our interest for properties in the area with a local estate agent. Well why not? Early evening, we headed back to Poole, treating ourselves to a Chinese takeaway which we ate at the osprey viewpoint at Ham Common, Hamworthy. We both agreed it was the best view across Poole Harbour.  But it wasn't the new forest.

Brockenhurst, the New Forest day 4

This morning Marge, we must move you, around thirty paces. Why leave this beautiful place? Our leisure batteries were struggling, our solar panels had been in the shade of the trees too long so we moved the van into the sun to boost our amps. Another day, another cycle trip.

This time to Burley. Mostly off road along the old railway line the Castleman Trail. A round trip of twenty miles. The visitors of the weekend long gone we barely saw another soul, which suited us just fine. We know how lucky we are to be able to go away anytime and avoid the crowds.

Burley a traditional new forest village, famous for its witchcraft, always amazes us as to why it draws the crowds. Saying that, we were drawn to a property that was for sale right in its centre. A charming cottage with two commercial buildings. £900,000, seemed cheap to us.

Luckily, we don't have the funds or John would have put in an offer. Whilst we've been in the forest, we have come to realise that we would like to live here in the forest. Detached house please, small garden with grass. Best make a plan? 

Sadly, tomorrow we must return home, but not before we cycle out again. We need the practice, and time is now limited. We are already making plans for another trip away soon, hopefully to Symonds Yat on the Wye to scout out a packrafting adventure later in the summer. Meanwhile our message to you all is, don't stay at home', get out there. Nature is a wonderful drug. 

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.

Brockenhurst, the New Forest.

Are you here for the Beaulieu? Pardon? No, we're here for the view. It happens that there is a auto jumble on at the nearby National Motor Museum, Beaulieu this weekend. We can expect the campsite to be busy tomorrow. 

After being home three nights, we couldn't stand it anymore and decided we needed to move back into Marge. This happens every year, once we start going away in her.

Marge is waiting to go. The forecast good for the weekend, we decided to travel to the New Forest, a drive of around one hour, stopping on the way to check out some dry clothing at a canoe shop for when we go packrafting.

Marge, what a view. Arriving at the campsite early we had our pick of some of the best's spots. Looking out across the forest towards trees, all a slightly different shade of green, all beautiful. Nearby the ponies grazed, the lush grass more interesting than us. A mother kept close to her foal, which clumsily followed her around. She made us smile. She all legs and excitement. 

Tomorrow we will cycle out into the forest. We desperately need to improve our fitness ready for our cycling trip across Europe at the beginning of June. Back on the campsite, one member of staff decided it was easier to ride on a motorised lawnmower to the toilet and showers rather than walk.  We have legs for what reason?

Poole, Dorset

As we drove back south we noticed the trees, shrubs and flowers were all much advanced compared to those in Scotland. And it felt warmer, even when it rained. It's just over four weeks since we left home and places like the island of Lewis and Harris seem like they were a dream. 

To break our journey we stopped to visit some relatives before a stop at Oxf

ord to check out a dead tree that John was hoping would have a chicken of the woods fungi growing on it. It didn't, but the one behind did.

Result. It was nice to once again be by the river in Oxford, we missed the beauty of this area. 

Home now. Marge looking well travelled, in need of a good clean, we reflect on the past few days. Yesterday, we sadly lost another, younger member of our family. There are some people in life you are privileged to have known. And she was one.

The forecast for the weekend is looking good. If it remains so, we might just take Marge away to the New Forest. Now we live in Poole, we are lucky to have this wonderful space on our doorstep.

Stretton near Warrington

Thanks Marge! When we retired late last night, Angela discovered her side of the bed was wet. Don't blame me. The heavy rain we'd driven through had blown up and under the van's opening roof window. It's fortunate that Angela's 'child size'. She 'almost' fitted on to the downstairs bench seat.

A beautiful start to the day this morning. Warm and bright. Some archers arrived, setting up their targets on the far side of the cricket pitch, which was meticulously being prepared for today's match. We walked a little way into town to stretch our legs before leaving, our ten pound donation placed in the collection box outside the club house. Thank-you Kendal cricket club for a safe and convenient overnight stop.

Head south Marge. Early afternoon we arrived in Merseyside, where we spent a few hours catching up with John's daughter.

Then onto Warrington to the small village of Stretton to the Stretton Fox public house which offered overnight stops for vans in its car park. We were too late for food, so relaxed over a drink whilst we talked about our packrafting course and our plans going forward.

Back in Marge, we ate Strathdon Blue cheese which Angela bought at the fam shop at the Westmorland service area yesterday. As one of our grandchildren would say, 'it was delicious!'.