Southern Regional Ramble:
Acres Down Cream Tea Ramble/New Forest.
Yet again the beautiful New Forest didn’t disappoint. We had 8 scooters and 1 very valued walker; it should have been 11 altogether but, due to unforeseen circumstances, there were 3 cancellations. We all set off from the farm through the inclosure known as Puckpitts which is very popular with bird watchers as, due to the very varied habitat and mixture of conifers and deciduous trees, there is a good distribution of some quite unusual birds and also raptors which love the heather moorland behind the farm.
We had a sprinkling of rain for a while but this soon cleared. This was a ramble principally for the smaller scooters and we had 3 boot scooters, as a challenge we went “off piste” onto a bit of the open forest, reccied thoroughly beforehand, and they all managed excellently and it gave a nice view of the rougher parts of the area. We had lunch under two huge beech trees overlooking lovely heathland. We then proceeded down the track to a ford, impassable in winter but OK now, and we had great fun, (see photos), going through the mud, gravel and water. Happily, the sun came out in full force and the forest with the sunlight dappling through the trees is magical. Then up a newly explored track and back onto the cyclepath that leads back to the Farm. On the way we found a lovely meander (stream) in Highland Water Inclosure and as you can see from the photos one of our members took his scooter for a “near” swim! Very brave I thought, but emerged unscathed and then went back for another go to get some photos for the website. I always carry a tow rope for the possibility of a waterlogged motor! However, no problem.
Then back for our Cream Tea; 2 scones, cream, strawberry or apricot jam, cup of tea and then a choice of 5 different cakes to finish off, all set in a very nice garden which surrounds the farm. Second one this year, and very nice too. My thanks to all who came and supported this ramble, and for all the fun we had. Super to see so many turning up, and several members from further afield are coming too and that is greatly appreciated.
Val