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Regional Ramble – DR/New Forest Walking Festival – Wilverley Figure of Eight, New Forest, Hampshire……Monday 21st October 2019.
Thankfully, not raining – just dull. Anything is acceptable as long as it doesn’t rain! 11 Scooterists, 1 cyclist and 3 Walkers set off from Wilverley Inclosure to start this ramble we were running for DR and the New Forest Walking Festival. We were pleased to welcome a member of public, Terry, who hopefully will become a frequent attendee and DR member. Several faces we haven’t seen for a bit too – Paul W Dean, Arthur, Roy and Ann & Paul – so it was good to see them. The Inclosure is very pretty and the autumn colours are just beginning to show, although not at their full potential yet, another week or two will see all the different hues appearing. We lunched back at the starting point, the walkers were pleased to be able to sit down on the picnic benches in the bbq area. It was a very jolly crowd and a very relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
We then set off to Hinchelsea Moor. Last year we reported a difficult pathway over a boggy area called Holm Hill, near Duck Hole (love the names!) – and they have cut back the gorse and repaired the wooden path support over the bog. This is now giving away again after a summer season so we will report that back to the NPA. Also, we had to make the route linear and not circular as, after our reccy, we found that the path up a steep hill had been carved by the rain into a deep fissure and the remaining path we would have had to use was only just wide enough and necessitated going at a tilt and uphill while trying not to fall into the fissure! We decided it was too risky without adequate able-bodied support – we would have needed at least 3 strong husky chaps to help – so just turned round at the bottom of the valley and made it a linear route instead. Still very nice, with super views over the forest, the complete opposite to the morning route which is on good tracks through wonderful old and massive trees.
It was a very good day and all appeared to enjoy it. Thanks to everyone for coming and making it such a success. Val and Bob.
