Totton South

2017 Reports

November 2017 ?
Report on the Walk at Pipers Wait, Nomansland
On a bright and sunny morning twelve members arrived at Pipers Wait Car Park for a stroll across the forest. Pipers Wait is the highest point in the New Forest. When the walk was first reconnoitred the paths were dry and firm. Unfortunately we had heavy rain over night and the ground was sodden in places, therefore we had to make some detours. We did a figure of eight, returning to the Car Park and then continuing on the other side of the road to Nomansland. The trees around Nomansland are beautiful at this time of the year, especially the beech trees with the Autumn colours showing up in the sunshine. We all enjoyed the walk. Our next couple of walks will be on dry paths and lanes due to the wet terrain at this time of the year.

Report on the walk at Deerleap on Thursday 19th October 2017
Eight of our members met up for the walk despite the weather conditions. It was raining quite heavily so we decided not to do the walk which was originally planned as the pathways would have been flooded. Instead we kept to the wide gravel tracks. Despite the rain there were a lot of people out and about, including plenty of dog walkers and a large group of Nordic walkers. As we continued the walk the rain gradually eased off and we made our way to Longdown where we had open views of the forest. We headed towards Ipley Enclosure and then circled back to the Car Park passing herds of cows and horses along the way.

Report on the walk at Beaulieu Road on Thursday 21st September
Some of our hardy strollers met in the Car Park opposite the Beaulieu Road Hotel. The weather was bleak with mist, drizzle and a cold wind. Not to be deterred we started to walk towards Deerleap then turned to cross the B3056 road towards Shattersford. We took a well maintained path in to open countryside, with views across the open forest. The pathway led us into Denny Wood. In the woods it was a bit muddy in places but it was very pleasant walking through the trees, some of which were very tall and obviously quite old. The Forestry Commission tend to leave the old and fallen trees for the insects to thrive on. Some birds will feed on the insects. We reached a tarmac lane which led to Denny Lodge. We took a path off the lane and headed back through the trees to Shattersford and out onto open ground again. Although it was raining we all enjoyed the walk and we felt really refreshed as we headed back towards the Beaulieu Road Car Park.

Report on the walk at Ashlette Creek on Thursday 17th August 2017
Several of our members met at the Jolly Sailor, Ashlett Creek for our monthly stroll. The weather was fine apart from a fresh breeze. We had good views of Southampton water and the coastal areas on the other side of the water. We stopped occasionally to watch the activity of the ships and various vessels on the water including some of the bird life.
When we reached Calshot we decided to have some lunch in a little cafe which is part of the Activity Centre.
The cafe is on the foreshore but unfortunately it was a bit too windy to sit outside. After lunch we strolled back towards Ashlett Creek. After an enjoyable walk, somewhat windblown and a bit weary we made our way home.

Thursday 20th July 2017 - Report on walk in Brockenhurst
Several members of the Strollers met up in Beechern Wood Car Park on the edge of Brockenhurst for our monthly walk. It was a perfect day for walking, sunny with a cool breeze. We walked along the Rhinefield Road towards Brockenhurst. After a short distance we crossed the road onto a pathway that led us across part of the forest. There were several horses grazing nearby, some with young foals.
We made tracks towards The Cloud Hotel and crossed the road onto a lane which had several quaint cottages with well kept gardens. At the end of the lane we took a short break before entering a gateway that led us onto a footpath. On one side of the footpath we had views of a tributary of the Lymington River and gardens ran along the pathway on the other side. Eventually as we came to the end of the footpath we met the Rhinefield Road, opposite Lyndhurst Church.
We crossed the road and walked along a pathway next to the Church.
The pathway led us on to a private road with some very grand houses scattered around. We stopped and admired some of the properties with their immaculate lawns and beautiful shrubs.
Feeling somewhat weary we emerged out on to the road that led us past the New Forest Park Hotel and towards Beechern Wood Car Park, where we had begun our walk.

THURSDAY 15th June 2017 - Report on walk at Acres Down
About a dozen Strollers met at Acres Down Car Park. The weather was sunny with a cool breeze, just right for walking. We started walking up a steady slope and took a path that went up to a view point. The views were really stunning covering long distance over forest land. On a clear day one can see the Isle of Wight. After walking across the ridge we took a pathway that lead down to a pool. We stopped at the pool for a while to look at the water lilies and yellow iris that were growing there. Feeling thirsty we called in at Acres Down Farm for some well needed refreshment. At the farm we had coffee and some delicious home made cake before we made our way home.

MAY 2017 THURSDAY 18TH May
Just a few members met up at Brambridge Nurseries for a walk along the river banks. Just after the start of the walk we came across an old eel trap in the past there would have been quite a few of these traps as eels were considered a delicacy. Further up the river bank we had a good sighting of river Vole which are becoming quite rare. Yellow Iris were coming into bloom and many other wild flowers were growing on the banks. We came across a weir with water gushing through and we sat on some benches nearby, just to take in the scenery. We passed a few fisherman with their catch and we saw some salmon leaping out of the fast flowing river. On the other side of the river there was a field with a lot of Alpaca grazing. It was a relaxing morning. The weather was sunny with just a cool breeze.

APRIL 2017 THURSDAY 27TH April
Our keen walkers met at Canada Common Car Park on a sunny but slightly chilly morning. We headed up a narrow tarmac pathway to begin our walk. There were several donkeys grazing and making rather loud braying noises as we passed. It was a circular walk and we saw several birds including the first house martins. The gorse bushes on the way looked particularly vibrant in yellow flower.
Halfway round our walk we came across a large lake with black headed gulls and geese on it. Cows and horses were either grazing or lying around the banks, basking in the sunshine. A lady was riding around on a little motor checking up on her cattle. Apparently a calf had been born the day before our visit and was sheltering in a thicket whilst the mother was feeding nearby.
After spending some time at the lake we decided to try to walk the whole way around the lake but unfortunately it was too muddy so we had to retrace our steps. We then made our way back to the Car Park taking in the wild life on our way.

MARCH 2017 THURSDAY 16th March
It was a fine spring morning when about a dozen of our members met to walk along the Rhinefield Ornamental Drive.The tall trees on route were planted in 1859. We did a short detour up Brock Hill, then passing the tallest tree which was a Wellingtonia Redwood. At the end of the drive we turned right to walk through the more recently replanted trees and shrubs in the Arboretum.

FEBRUARY 2017 THURSDAY 16TH 2 Miles
It was a bright sunny morning when our group of sixteen members met at Beechern Wood Car Park, Brockenhurst. We took a path that lead to Ober Water and walked for about a mile along the along the river bank. We stopped for a while near one of the bridges to take in the view. Eventually we came to Putters Bridge Car Park and from there we headed across an open plane back towards the Beechern Wood Car Park.

JANUARY 2017 THURSDAY 19TH 2 Miles.
Seventeen strollers met at Rumbridge Street Car Park to start a 2 mile walk around Eling and Goatee Beach. It was a gloriously sunny day as we walked across the Eling Recreation Ground and found the path that led along the edge of Bartley Water. A Little Egret was wadding at the edge of the river.
We walked over a bridge and onto a board walk that led us to the cemetery. From the cemetery we crossed the road and took the path that led to Goatee Beach. The water was very calm and we had good views of Southampton Water, so we decided to stop here for a while. There were several birds, mainly Godwits on a little island. After a stroll along the beach we took a path that led up to St Mary's Church which was once an Anglo Saxon church. We then made our way down Eling Hill to the Toll Bridge and past Eling Tide Mill which is currently being restored. From the Tide Mill we took a path that ran along the river bank and then retraced our steps across the Recreation Ground and back to the Car Park.

DECEMBER: Wednesday 14th 2016. 3 miles. Today the sun shone upon us, and it was a beautiful day to stroll around Southampton. 7 of us left the Bargate promptly at 10.30, following the route of the old City Walls, It was really interesting to see the medieval buildings and churches along the way, and also where the sea used to come right up to the walls, flushing medieval toilets at each high tide! When passing Southampton Castle, it was interesting to note that several strollers weren't aware that Southampton HAD a castle. There are also strong links between Southampton and Jane Austen, The Pilgrim Fathers, and, of course, Titanic, all of which are commemorated along the way.
Only 3 of us continued the walk through the city parks, the others pleaded prior engagements, although I think it was the lure of the Christmas market that was the real reason.....! At one point, a lady passing by informed us that the area where the Marland Centre is, in fact used to be the leper colony of Southampton, originally called Mary's Land. Another interesting fact for us. All in all a very interesting, informative and enjoyable stroll.