Spring is here

Another beautiful day in the forest.We walked from Bratley View. it was a little windy in the carpark but once we got down in the valley we were sheltered and warmed by the sun. We decided to follow the little stream and we were able to walk all the way along it, occasionally swopping banks to avoid the boggy areas. it was a day for seeing the deer, at one point two little roe deer jumped across the stream in front of us and then shortly afterwards we disturbed a large herd of Fallow deer. As we came back up the hill annother herd of fallow deer shot out and circled round. We found lots of primroses on the banks of the stream although many were still in bud.We saw plenty of ponies , but no foals today, however it won't be long now before more are born and there will be plenty to see.

A group of ponies resting in the sun

The loneseome Scots Pine

Fallow deer running


Primroses on the banks of Bratley water.

Happy Birthday Taivas

Today Taivas is 2!
We went To Cadmans pond to start our walk today. It was much colder than it has been, although the sun did try and come out, but now it is raining. As we were walking down by the stream we saw the first foal on Ragged Boys Hill. We quickly put the dogs on the lead and got close enough to take some photos with the telephoto lens. We did not want to disturb it and soon we continued on our walk going up to Fritham Plain before returning to the car. We put the dogs in the car and then went to see the geese on the pond. Someone was feeding them bread and the Golden Carp in the pond were coming to the surface to snatch the bread. I knew there were fish in the pond but had never managed to photograph one before.

Finally we saw a little foal , we couldn't get too near as we did not want to frighten it.This is my 3000 post , I am glad it is of a foal.

Whilst we were watching the geese, some one was throwing bread into the pond and these big golden carp were coming to the surface to eat it. I was surprised tht I managed to catch one.

An Evening Stroll

This evening we decided to have a quick walk from the carpark at Canadian Cross. The sun was in and out behind the clouds and it was quite chilly. But the setting sun was very pretty. When we got to the pond on Mogshade hill, this pony was eating the pond weed, he was amusing to watch as he was putting his head righ under to get it. Several othe photographers wer up there with their tripods setting up to catch the suns reflection in the water.












On the way home we stopped off at Cadmans Pond to catch the last of the sunset. The geese were loudly honking as they circled the pond, deciding where to spend the night.

From the carpark at Canadian Cross
Mogshade Hill
Pond on Mogshade hill
Trees at Mogshade hill

We stopped by Cadmans pond to watch the sunset on our way home

Missy usually has something in her mouth

Missy Mosaic
Originally uploaded by Missy2004.

Faces of Raffles

Raffles Mosiac
Originally uploaded by Missy2004.

Enjoying the Spring Sunshine

This morning was a perfect Spring morning. warm sunshine and just the slightest of breezes.We drove down to the High Corner Inn. This is a 17Century Inn, the only way to get there is to drive about 3/4 mile down a gravel track. the setting is beautiful and it is a good place to start a walk. We decided to stroll along the banks of Dockens Water and look for primroses. It took a while but eventually we spotted some. It was such a lovely day we continued to stroll along the water, whilst the dogs had fun splashing in and out. Once we saw a Roe deer hoping off in the distance. All around the birds were singing and we saw the Yellow brimstone butterflies flitting about, but never staying still for a photo. Eventually we left the stream and strolled back through the woods. We saw the young bluebell shoots were pushing through the ground, but it is still a little early for many of our spring flowers.

Two more cute little calves we met on our walk.

Along the banks of Dockens water

Splash bridge

Primroses on the bank of Dockens water

The Sky this evening

The lighter evenings mean we can take a walk in the forest when John comes home from work.

The garden is coming to life.

The daffodils are nearly over, but splashes of colour are appearing in the garden. The little cherry tree is covered in blossom and primulas are well out with their vibrant colours. The lilac and clematis will soon be flowering and winter seems finally to be over.

A beautiful sunny morning , just right for walking in the forest. We went to Busketts this morning and strolled along the stream. As I got the dogs back in the car this Pony suddnely appeared through the Holly bushes and said BOO!

British Summer Time Starts Today!

It was my turn to choose a photo for the Down Under Challenge Group on Flickr, this weekend and I choose one of Missy as a puppy in the garden. Here is my version.
Clicking on the Title of this post will take you to the group page where others will add their versions in the next couple of days!

First day of British Summer Time

It was the First day of British Summer Time today, but no one told the sun and he was very late getting up! it was very Misty when we walked at Fritham this morning and it did not feel like summer! But at least now it will be light until 7.30 tnight and soon we will be able to take the dogs for forest walks when John gets home from work. Hope you all remembered to put the clocks forward an hour!

A Dull Overcast Saturday

Today has been dull and Overcast, with a bittely cold wind. This morning we walked at Mogshade Hill. When we got to the pond we met a small herd of cows who watched us intently, they obviously thought we were up to no good.
This afternoon we walked at Pigbush, it was even duller than this morning. It was very quiet and very few people were out. A few Ponies were around but still no foals.

Bridge at Pigbush

Forest path at Pigbush

Forest view on a dull afternoon

Cows at Mogshade Hill

A Mosaic to celebrate Forest Walks Second Birthday. Thank you for visiting and leaving comments and for allowing me to share your lives and homes on your blogs.

A walk at Ocknell Pond

It was very dull and drizzly , first thng this morning but as we started walking the Sun came out and the skies cleared. Apart from a very cold wind, it was pleasnt walking. Ocknell pond is very shallow and soon dries up in the summer. This morning the levels were very low and it was not much more than a big puddle . Some ponies were eating the pond weed and having a good feast. Although we saw a lot of ponies , we have yet to see the first foal of spring.
Missy found another big bone and carried it for a while but when her ball came out of my pocket she lost interest in the bone, prefering to play with her ball.

We came across this little group of Shetland ponies on our walk this morning they are much smaller and stoclier than the new Forest ponies.

New Forest Ponies at Ocknell here you can see the different colours. We saw a lot of ponies this morning but as yet we haven't found a foal.

Spring is Here

From Puttles Bridge to Bolderford Bridge and back

This is a very pretty walk along Ober water until it meets the Lymington river at Bolderford bridge. The trees along the river helped to shelter us from the very cold wind and allowed the sun to warm us as we walked.Part of the way is a forest waymarked walk and so the paths are graveled and dry. In summer it tends to get very busy as there is a campsite nearby. it is also a favourite with dog walkers as the dogs can play in the water. Despite the cold winds we met lots of dogs as we walked.

Sun , Wind, Rain, Hail

Ponies grazing at Longdown this afternoon

Raffles catches the breeze (more a howling gale!)
Missy takes a dip in the icy cold puddles.

We had a day of mixed weather, heavy shoers, sun , hail and very windy.

A rainbow to start the day

A rainbow over the house this morning.

A misty morning but the sun soon came out.

It was very misty when we started our walk at Kings hat this morning, but soon we were walking in warm sunshine and the mist had cleared. We had beautiful views over the heathland and we watched several peewits (Lapwings or plovers as they are also called) swooping and calling. They are getting ready to nest.They lay their eggs in nests on the ground. The forestry commission had been cutting down some of the holly trees and groups of ponies gathered to eat the prickly holly leaves. The ground is still very wet and boggy , so the dogs got pretty muddy, but we went back to the river before going home. Near the river we saw lots of pussy willow, so soon the leaves will be back on the trees.

it was very Misty when we started our walk this morning

Missy cleans off in the river

This little bridge is hidden in the trees and can take some finding


The sun soon burnt off the mist and here Raffles is surveying his kingdom

The ponies were grazing at Kings Hat. Some of them had discoverd where the Forestry commission had been cutting back the Holly and were enjoying a feast on the prickly leaves.

Still Sunny

Missy Barney Raffles and Magic pose for the camera.

group chin wag!

Barney teases Missy with his stick

Happy Birthday Lizzie

Missy and Raffles send Licks and Tailwags

Spring at Last

We have had several warm sunny days now and It finally feels like Spring. I have several clumps of hyacinths in the garden and as the sun shines on them the air is filled with their beautiful perfume.
Signs of Spring are coming in th forest to, soon I will see the spring flowers and the new foals.

Missy found this bg bone (Most likely cow) in the Forest today


Taivas has a sneaky chew on the bone that Missy has discarded. its nearly as big as Taivas!


Dockesns water

Spring is here and the sun is shining

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Such a beautiful day today as we walked the yellow Brimstone butterflies were flitting about , but too quick for the camera. We walked at bratley view and the ground was very boggy, but it was good to be out in the sunshine ,just enjoying the day. This afternoon John has given the grass its first cut of the year. After all the rain it was getting very long. daffodils and hyacinths are flowering in the garden now.

Today at Crufts

Taivas Shows off her Third place Rosette in her class.(Good Citizen )
This is Taivas's Dad. He looks happy

We left home at 5.30 am to get to Crufts , before the traffic jams started. We were there just after 8am and did not leave until gone 6pm. I had never been to Crufts before so it was a new experience. It is massive and so much to see and do. Taivas is in the Pastoral group and the working dogs were also being show. The gundogs had been shown the day before and a Flatcoated Retriever won the group and will be representing them in Best in Show on Sunday.

A few photos from our walk at Andrews Mare Today

It was very mild today and we had sunny intervals. We took the dogs to Andrews Mare, I think this is Missy's favourite walk as we get to play in the lake at the start and end of the walk

Afternoon stroll at Fritham

The sun is still shining and this afternoon we went for a stroll at Fritham. It was more of a splash than a walk as the footpaths were well under water and big puddles were everywhere. There was very little wind and the sun was warm great weather for a stroll

The footpath at Fritham!



Plenty of puddles about and Missy has found another lost ball!

Morning stroll at Busketts

Once again we had a wet and very windy night, but this morning we have blue skies and sunshine. On our morning walk at Busketts we met Magic, Barney and Daisy all running around inthe puddles. The ponies were enjoying the sun as they dried out.The dogs love all the mud and water and had a good time playing and splashing everyone.

Daisy playing in the puddles

Missy and Barney meet at Busketts

Magic is now 5 Months

Highland water

After yesterdays non stop rain, the sun was shining again this morning. We went to Highland Water to see how the daffodils are coming on. There is a site where there was once a forest cottage, and although the cottage has long gone , traces of the garden still remain. Some years the daffodil display is spectacular, this year is not so good , but we found some blooms and eventually the dogs agreed to pose for us.
Highland Water itself was very full and flowing fast, we only just made it across the ford without it coming over the tops of our boots.
We are expecting more heavy rain tonight.

Missy finds a Forestry Commission sign on the path and with my help we returned it to the Log stacks!


The water levels have risen and Taivas had to pick her way carefully across..she does not like to get to wet.

that

Posing in the Daffodils

An evening walk at Beaulieu Road

We went for a late afternoon walk at Beaulieu Road. We had a few showers this afternoon, but my the time we walked there was a little sunshine. It is a very long time since we walked from here and we did not really remember the walks, so it was nice to explore a little. We had to cross the railway via a bridge and later on we found a bridge which went under the railway to come back by. Like most of the forest it was very wet, but some of the tracks were grassy andit will make good walkig for the summer. My the time we got back to the car the sun was setting.

Walking in the Evening sun at Beaulieu Road

Evening reflections in puddles at Beaulieu Road

The Sun is Shining Again

After another night of heavy rain , the sun is shining, and although ther were some dark clouds in the sky, it remained dry whilst we were walking. We started from the car park by the Canadian Cross, and walked down to Highland water, we then followed the stream and walked up Mogshade Hill to the pond. The pond is full and overflowing. On the small pond just inside the inclosure there were some great reflections of the sky and clouds. In the distance we saw a big herd of deer grazing , and everywhere the birds were singing...spring is definitely coming.

Mogshade Hill, you can see the grey clouds and the blue sky


Thhis is the footpath, we had yet another night of very heavy rain.


Another view of the stormy skies


A little waterfall, its falling over the tree roots and is ony there because of all the heavy rain, but it looked so pretty.


Missy enjoys playing in the streams , which are now full of water.

Humming bird very pretty........

Humming bird very pretty........
Originally uploaded by Missy2004.

Another Entry for the Down Under Challenges......I really like how this one turned out.

The Down Under Challenge is a group on Flcikr , where we take an image supplied by one of the members and all work to produce a different version. The image for this one was of the glass Humming bird against a white background so i added the Amaryllis and pit in the background.

Clicking on the Title of this post will take you to the Down Under Challenge Group

Back to Roundhill and Beaulieu Heath

It was a beautiful Spring morning, for the First day of March. (St Davids Day)The sun was shining, the sky was blue and although the breezy was very strong , it was not too cold.. We were going to walk at Kings Hat , but when we arrived the path was closed off and there were signs warning of Forest Operations , so we decided to drive on and find another place. Because the forest is still so wet and muddy we came back to the closed campsite. Here we can walk on gravel paths and with a pond for the dogs to swim in and plenty of puddles , they are happy. We walked from the campsite over the heath until we reached an area set aside for model aircraft flying. None flying this morning though. The paths are the remains of the runways from when the area was used as an airfield in WW2 so you walk quite a distance on fairly straight paths , before finding another path intersecting it.
Soon the campsite will open for the summer and the dogs will not be allowed to run freely and play in the pond.
However it is a campsite that does allow dogs to stay as long as they are kept on leads and are confined to certain areas. Looking on the map there are several other carparks around and it would be possible to walk on the heath during the summer , avoiding the campsite so we may be back soon.

Here we have some ponies on the heath. They still have their winter coats and this one is having a gorse snack


This pony was having a good scratch against a tree.


This is a darker pony, New forest ponies come in several colours and can have several different mane and tail colours as well.

Missy at the end of our walk , she would quite happily have walked for another couple of hours.

The dogs posing by the campsite. We weren't sure if we wre supposed to get a free dog by this sign.

Beaulieu Heath on a Beautiful Spring morning, plenty of sunshinne, even if it was rather breezy.