New Forest - Autumn 2008
Barton-on-Sea
Western riding
Bashley House
Highcliffe - Mudeford
Brockenhurst - New Forest
Isle of Wight trip
This holiday kicked off with a day’s western style riding. We were given tuition and then taken for a trek through the forest. It sort of convinced me that horse riding was not perhaps for me. The jarring of the spine, no doubt because of my inexperience, doesn’t fit well with a dodgy back.
The first evening we drove to nearby Barton-on-Sea and had a short stroll along the beach.
It was an impressive sunset and there were a number of anglers fishing off the beach. The weather had been bad but miraculously improved for our stay.
Back to top
Next day it was riding. I didn’t get any shots en route as cameras weren’t allowed for safety reasons, and because they might get damaged. However, I did get some pictures of Helen getting her horse ready.
Back to top
We stayed at Bashley House, which was associated with the riding school. It was self contained accommodation, in a small cottage type building, that comprised a bed-sitting room and bathroom. The young woman who led the horse riding course brought us breakfast on a tray!
Back to top
One day we drove to Highcliffe and walked along to Mudeford, at the edge of Christchurch Bay.
We almost had the beach to ourselves. Autumn/winter beach walking is one of our favourite activities, as distinct from the hubbub of summer.
At Mudeford we had a snack and then walked around part of the outer harbour. We watched some surf boarders and were amazed how shallow the water was in the harbour, even some distance out. It seemed an ideal venue for the sport. Years ago neighbours of mine moved to Christchurch because of their love of surf boarding. Now I understand why.
Back to top
On another day we went to Brockenhurst in the New Forest. I showed Helen a spot where we camped on a school holiday when I was about 10 year’s old; over 50 years ago!
It was a holiday that couldn’t happen nowadays.
A few teachers took a mixed party of children by car and train. They organised all the tents themselves and did the cooking.
We children swam in the stream, swung on a rope over it and generally had a marvellous adventure. I still remember the fantastic night view of the Milky Way, bearing in mind we were far out of town and light pollution was nowhere near what it is today.
Back to top
On our final day we went to Milford where, after lunching in town we took a return boat trip to the Isle of Wight. Just out and back, as there was no time to do a shore visit.
I bought a Tilley Hat in Milford, which is now my official fishing headgear.
Back to top