The Wednesday Walk 22nd February 2012

The Plan

A New Forest Walk

The Leader

Trudy

Who Turned Up
Trudy, Wendy, Sue, David

The Walk
We knew it was going to rain in the afternoon but we believed it would turn wet LATER in the afternoon. So we planned a long walk across the forest heathland in the morning and a shorter walk in the afternoon. Did it work? Read on to find out. We parked at Longslade View. The car park was closed for surface repair, but we found enough room to park at the side of the road. We then walked to Horsehoe Bottom, climbed up to the old railway line - now a footpath - and followed the path along the line of Hincheslea Bog until we came to Cater’s Cottage. From here we cut down to Latchmoor and set off across Setley Plain. It was a bit breezy up here on the plain, and definitely not the fourteen or fifteen degrees we had been promised. Neither were we too sure that we were on the right path. However, with a bit of help from a stray van driver, we did find our way to the pub at Battramsley, near Lymington.
While we were enjoying our meal, it started raining. Now, this was far sooner than we were led to expect, so we set off for as short a return walk as possible. Getting wetter with every step, we made it back to the car in 45 minutes. How’s that for navigation?

The Pub

The Hobler, Battramsley near Lymington. By the time we got here we were all pleased at the idea of having safely reached a place of sustenance. The atmosphere inside was congenial and the food was good. Three of the four walkers had the home-made chicken, ham and mushroom pie as part of a two-course deal. Very tasty. The same three went on to have that good old English afters: bread-and-butter pudding with custard. Our friends from around the globe might find the idea of having custard on bread and butter somewhat alarming, but until you’ve tried it you don’t know how good it is.

Next Week
Meet at Wendy’s at 10.15 for a walk around Kingston Lacy.