A walk Before the Rain Came

It was beautiful out this morning . The leaves were gently blowing off the trees and the sun was shining. The Forestry commission were working at shatterford so we drove down to pigbush

We enjoyed the sun and thought about going down to the nature reserve this afternoon
but then it started to rain so maybe tomorrow will be better.

Autumn Walk at Pigbush

The dogs Pose in the Autumn sunshine, but they would much rather be racing around.

This Pony was standing under the tree, watching the leaves float down

There is a golden carpet of leaves on the forest floor
The ponies all seemed to be enjoying the autumn sunshine. They are making the most of it There may be no sun tomorrow.

This is one of this years foals , he is getting his winter coat.

Sunset and Autumn Colours

On our way Home form Blashford we stopped as we could see the sun had emerged from the clouds as it was setting.


The evening light showed up the autumn colours well

Blashford Lakes Wildlife Reserve

We took a trip to Blashford Lakes this afternooon. After a beautiful sunny morning , it was very overcast when we arrived. The light was not very good for photos. However it looks like a very nice little reserve and I am sure we will be visiting again. Plenty of wildfowl on the lakes as well as the cormorants. The woodland hide has feeders outside it and they were busy with great Tits and chaffinches. We did see a greater spotted woodpecker and a nut hatch as well. Strolling through the grass there was a colourful Pheasant and several bunnies were hopping around. We also saw a little mouse scurry along.

Another beautiful Sunny Morning for our walk at Fritham . We went down through the woods and although we looked and listened we didn't see or hear any deer. We did see plenty of signs of yesterdays drag hunt and in places the path was very churned up and muddy


The colours are beautiful and the sun really shows them up

Missy poses for her photo

Raffles catches a few rays and then driving home we admired the autumn colours on the trees.

Glorious Autumn Colours

The trees are changing colour now and the Forest is very pretty. Today was warm and Sunny. We planned to walk at Fritham , but the car park and lane were full of cars because the first hunt of the season was meeting. The new Forest Hounds drag hunt (They follow a prelaid trial) and we did not want to get in their way. so we drove on to Cadmans Pond. The Autumn colours are beautiful and we really enjoyed our walk. In the distance we saw deer and we did hear one stag but never saw him.

off for an Autumn Walk

Blue Skies

Dockens Water

The ponies are in the way!


Beautiful colors by Cadmans Pond.

November and its Warm!

Percelain Fungus (oudemansiella mucida) also known as slimy beech cap.

Autumn colours at Busketts

Missy just loves playing with her ball

Beautiful golden leaves at Deerleap carpark

We have had some beautiful sunny days at the start of November and we have made the most of them

Deer and Kingfishers

This morning we went for an early morning walk to see if we could spot the Fallow deer rutting. We were very lucky and saw half a dozen bucks. A few were roaring but the rut does seem to be late this year. They still do not seem to be in full Rut mode yet. It was a beautiful autumnal morning. It was quite cold when we started at 8am but really warm when we got back to the car at11am later in the afternoon we went down to the nature reserve and once again we saw the kingfisher. He came and sat on the perching pole with a fish for his supper. On our way home we visited the other two viewing areas and saw him again . Just after I took this photo he dived and flew of with another fish for his supper. I am finding him easier to spot now and look forward to seeing him on our visits/

Its not a smear on the lens thats his breath in the cold Morning air!

This Buck was sunbathing

This ones got his girl

I think he's spotted us!

The kingfisher was a little to far away but he had a big fish in his beak

After the Rain the Sun

Finally the leaves are changing and the colours really showed in todays sun, so different from the dreary rain yesterday

This afternoon we walked at Shatterford and checked out the work that had been going on there. Sadly i found that they had chopped down the little tree that grew in the swamp area.

This pony looked magnificent as his coat glowed in the sun

It took me a while to identify these, they are Spectacular Rustgill ((Gymnophilus spectabilus) They are poisonous and may cause hallucinations!

The Weekend

We walked at South Bentley on Saturday, here the dogs are looking for deer, we did see several small groups on our walk

The leaves ar still mostly on the trees and green

We saw these two young bucks......they are too young for this years rut! But maybe next year?

At least it finally stopped raining on Sunday in time to see the Moon. Oh and the clocks went back so now it will be dark by 5pm!

A Day in the Life.....

Catherine and Stephen came to stay overnight as Catherine wanted to look round Southampton University Campus and see if she might want to apply for next year. So first we walked the dogs at Busketts and then drove into Southampton.
After dropping Catherine at the University we walked around part of the walls of Southampton. This is the Tudor Merchants House and part of the City walls.

Then we went onto the Quay and had a good view of the Cruise Ship the Navigator of the Sea, She is enormous. Apparently amongst other things she has a Rock climbing wall, Ice Rink, 9 hole mini golf course and a whole parade of shops.
We then picked Catherine up and had lunch before they set off for home.

We took the dogs for another walk in the Forest at Fritham. We saw this Buck and we heard several others calling