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We spent the morning driving around the forest before lunching at Holmsley Old Station Tea Rooms.
The strong early morning sun forced its way through the rising mist, and eventually dominated the blue skies, warming
the landscape,
and eventually lighting the lichen-covered oaks,
some of which were reflected in the myriad of pools like these on the way to Burley.
Crossing the road I arrived at another small lake that turned out to be part of a golf course.
As I contemplated the green further up the hill, I imaged what it would be like to hit your ball into the water.
Preceded by their voices a group of golfers dragged their bags into view. I passed on my thoughts, and the gentleman facing me in the second picture, informed me, with a wry smile, that they didn’t need to imagine it.
There are many fords on the forest roads, with bridges for pedestrians wishing to cross swollen streams. This crossing near Burley was dry,
and clear water flowed fast beneath it.
On this fine spring Saturday there was much traffic on the road. This did not deter somnolent ponies who ignored cars slaloming around them and cyclists whizzing through the central gap.
A domestic horse tore nonchalantly at the beech hedge beside its wire fencing.
At Brockenhurst a working Telephone box was reflected in a seasonal pool.
The structure had clearly been left exposed to the elements without protective paint for a number of years. A pile of rubbish carpeted the floor, and it was necessary to negotiate a discarded poop scoop bag to reach the peeling door.
Perhaps it would have been an idea to offer the management to local residents as in the case of this one at Wootton. This is also reflected, but it would be more savoury to make one’s way through mud and pony droppings than the obstacle mentioned above.
There were many golfers playing on various courses on this beautiful morning.
Also engaged in forest pursuits were dog walkers like this couple drying their dog after a romp amongst the dewy bracken.
Cyclists abounded. Take note of the two heads ascending the hill behind those in the first picture.
Many horse riders were seen on the country roads and across the moors.
Joggers exercised alone,
or in couples. Do you recognise the two heads seen on the road to Burley? Here they are somewhat later.
For lunch at Holmsley Jackie chose her favourite macaroni cheese. My meal was an excellent fish pie served with carrots, peas, and greens.
This evening the Culinary Queen produced a thick mushroom and cheese omelette for our dinner.