We now step into autumn which is very beautiful in the New Forest with the trees and forest terrain turning to the most lovely rich browns and gold colours. The acorns start to drop to provide winter feed for the deer, squirrels, pigs and many other creatures that roam the Forest.   It is a time where we enjoy some of the best settled weather with warm days but a little chilly at night time. 

We have many autumn “specials” on offer in our holiday caravans at Bashley Park.  Please check with our website for details of these on www.newforestholidayhomes.co.uk

ABBOTWELL WALK

A couple of weeks ago I did an absolutely beautiful walk at Abbotswell near Fordingbridge with the Forest Rambling club.  With the purple heather just going over and the start of the changing colours to autumn in the Forest.  We were lucky enough to see 2 herds of deer as we walked through the woods.  From the car park at Abbotswell you can see right across to Godshill, Bournemouth, Poole and the Purbecks.  It is a perfect place for a picnic whilst taking in the breathtaking views over the undulating valleys.  Above are some pics which I have taken along the walk, below is the well at Abbotswell believed to date back to the tenth century

Jan

The ponies on the forest are still wearing their winter coats as there are still some very cold nights.  The bright yellow gorse flowers are in full bloom, giving a splash of colour on the russet brown undergrowth of the Forest.  The trees are all budding with fresh bright green leaves.  The bluebells are coming into bloom providing a lovely purple carpet beneath the canopy.

We have enjoyed a good few weeks of additional custom due to the problems in the skies with flights due to the recent eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano in Iceland.

During the Easter holidays I took my grandson, Thomas on a great cycle ride along part of the old railway track to Brockenhurst.  It was great run.  Please read my account below:-

WOOTTON BRIDGE TO BROCKENHURST DISUSED RAILWAY LINE CYCLE RIDE (10 miles)

 This is a cycle ride by Jan and her grandson, Thomas   We started out on the day after the eruption of  the Eyjafjallajokull volcano in Iceland.  Our sky’s were not dimmed by any volcanic ash cloud in fact the day was amazingly bright and sunny. Thomas even had a touch of sunburn – in April !!!

 The railway from Brockenhurst (Hants) to Hamworthy (Dorset) via Wimborne was built in 1847 as part of the original route between Southampton and Dorchester. Superceded by the later, more direct route along the coast through Bournemouth, it closed in the 1960s and 70s. Parts of the line west of Ringwood now form the Castleman Trailway but other stretches, too, can still be followed on a bike. 

 We started our ride at Wootton Bridge and picked up the old railway track from that point.   It can be easily found by taking the hill just  a little way up from Wootton Bridge, on the right hand side before the road junction you will see a “cycle” sign on the right hand side.  Follow the footpath to the old railway line, it is only a few yards.  The ride was level with no hills to climb and no traffic to worry about.       

The track meandered through the lovely New Forest National Park, bounded on each side by the rugged terrain of the Forest.    We stopped on top of the first bridge and looked down onto a lovely view of the open Forest. 

    The first part of our journey took us through Sethorns, which is a camping and caravan park set in protected woodland.  Just past Sethorns we went under 2 large bridges which spanned the width of the track.  One could just imagine the mighty steam engines shunting under these wide arches puffing their smoke as they sped through the cutting.   The track at this point was bounded by a canopy of dark green pine trees.  The dappled sunlight shone through as we peddled along.

After we had passed under the bridges the track opened up into brilliant sunlight.  On either side were lovely views of the Forest with its brilliant yellow gorse peeping through the wintered russet coloured bracken.  Many New Forest ponies were grazing on the sparce greenery.  After the recent wet winter there were many bogs and areas of the Forest under water still

We were startled by a grass snake which at full speed slithered across the cycle track, we slammed on our brakes.  Unfortunately the snake was too quick to take a picture.  

Our route took us through another cutting which was very muddy at one point.  We sped past a rather large cow with horns that had obviously lost its way. 

 Emerging by a small white house on to another made up cycle track.  At the end of this section of the track we passed under the currently used main line railway track bridge on to the main road into Brockenhurst.     

We finished our journey by the old Railway Cottage which  is a little pink house set back off the road.  We took a lunch break, then we rode all the way back again.  A very enjoyable ride.

I went on a walk along the Barton cliff top last week only to see the devastation that had been caused by the winter storms to the soft sandy cliffs.  In many places the cliffs had fallen into the sea leaving the footpaths dangerously close to the edge.  I remember the storms of November 2009 that we endured down here.  I was up on the cliff top taking pictures holding on to the fence for dear life, feeling the full force of the hurricane force winds battering the coastline.  The bay was a sea of surging foam, roaring angily against the foot of the cliffs. 

We are now looking forward to the Easter school holidays at Bashley Park.  The caravans have all been spring cleaned and ready for occupation.  We have had a good response for the first Easter week 3 – 10 April.  We still have a few vacancies for the 10 – 17 April to fill, so if you fancy taking the kids away for an early holiday we are offering a special discounted holiday rate on that week and also the following week too.  There will be plenty to do with the indoor swimming pool, golf course, adventure playground, childrens club, cabaret entertainment, indoor and outdoor sports.  In addition to the facilities on the Park there is plenty to do in the local area such as horse riding, cycling, surfing, sailing, walking, fishing etc.

Jan

Before opening we had a spell of very wintery weather with 2 inches of snow falling.  This is a rare occurrence in this area.  Jan has taken some pictures of Bashley Park in the snow. 

Welcome to the New Forest Holiday Homes blog!

We have set this up to keep you informed about all of the special offers, events, local area information and things to do in the New Forest if you choose to holiday with us at Bashley Park.

Jan & Dave