Longbeech Campsite, Fritham, New Forest (Day 2)

As Angela drifted off to sleep last night she could hear animals outside the van. Unlike last weekend she didn't have a meltdown, it was just the ponies nibbling at the short dry yellowing grass.

This was more her type of wild camping. After the exertions of last weekend we took a relatively flat walk out to the Royal Oak pub at Fritham, stopped for coffee.

We then walked to Eyeworth Pond with its pretty waterlilies, followed by a stroll through the fallen trees stopping to look at a variety of fungi and the old black post box erected in 1820 by the Shultze Gunpowder Factory which was sited in the area, before a gentle amble back to Margery, stopping by the donkeys, where one young one took to John, following him across the road. Sorry only room for two in Margery.

Our time here in the forest is just what we need, a bit of a rest before our lives become manic next week when it will be full on redecorating and tidying one of our rental houses. So tomorrow we will once again 'kick back'. Angela has planned a suprise trip to somewhere nearby as part of John's birthday celebrations. He'll be seventy, Angela is sixty five, and as we both agreed this afternoon, age is no a barrier to 'going for it' in life. We think we proved that on the South West Coast Path.

A bonus was the many fungi we found growing in the woods, especially the Tiered Tooth Fungus, a very rare find.

Longbeech Campsite, Fritham, New Forest

After three days recuperating from our coast path adventure, we loaded up Margery and headed forty minutes away from home to Fritham in the stunning New Forest, where we are staying for two nights at the Adult Only Longbeech campsite. With limited facilities, which means drinking water and somewhere to dump your waste, the campsite is both tranquil and peaceful. Own toilet is obligatory.

Arriving at lunchtime Friday we were able to secure a perfect spot under the trees behind the campsite wardens.

Back at home in Poole this weekend a musical festival is taking place on the seafront a few metres from our home. To leave town for the weekend was a no brainer!

Here in the forest all is relatively quiet, the braying of the donkeys, the ripping of grass as the ponies feed and the rustle of the ferns as the cows amble through the site are all that disturbs us. We'll settle for that.

Brockenhurst, New Forest (Day 2)

Of course we're still at Brockenhurst, not quite ready to return home yet. After a damp start the morning blossomed and the day warmed. Summer at last. Angela took a walk down to Brockenhurst village to purchase venison burgers from the butchers. Planning ahead she bought two extra to freeze at home ready for our next outing in Marge. We feel it won't be too far away.

Upon her return to the campsite she smiled at the sight of a large herd of cows invading the cricket pitch. Someone will have fun clearing up after them before the next match. The sight of these large bovines also made her realise that our whole time away has been spent in and around nature.

Flora, fauna and wildlife. We've loved all and every minute of it. Returning tomorrow to the large town we live in will be difficult. Fingers crossed our house there will soon sell. We've just received news from the agent that we have a viewing on Friday. We are forever hopeful of a positive outcome. Eighty people left the campsite this morning, and only twenty are due in today, which will be nice. Spending the last night of our trip here has given us a chance to reset. As we enjoy the afternoon sunshine and look forward to our barbecue this evening we think of the Dutch cycle tourists we spoke to yesterday evening. They should have arrived in Salisbury by now. We wish them a safe and enjoyable journey to their destination York.

Brockenhurst, New Forest

You didn't really think we'd return home just yet did you? No. There's always time for another night away. And there really was only one place to return Muddy Marge to.

 The Holland's Wood campsite at Brockenhurst, where we took her for a trial night before setting off to Scotland. The summer school holidays are just beginning, so the site is a little busier now. But the weather warm we were able to sit out and cook outside. This evening after our walk we stopped to talk to some Dutch cycle tourists. We won't have time for a cycling trip this year sadly, but we'll be back on our bicycles for a trip next year. God willing. 

Being back on our home turf feels a little strange, and the thought of returning home a little daunting. But we know the weeks will pass by quickly and that there is much to do to prepare Marge for her next trip. She needs a little mechanical attention and a few tweaks. For now we will enjoy this stunning area. The ancient oak trees and the free roaming animals who retreat into the trees at night and who will be back on the site early in the morning. Scotland seems a million miles away now.