Date: Saturday 1st November 2008
Location: Burley
Burley will be celebrating Halloween on Saturday 1st of November in 2008. Featuring Halloween fancy dress competitions, along with Belly Dancers and Morris Men at the Queens Head Pub, it sounds like it will be a ghouly good time…
< Insert Vincent Price manic laughter here ...>
Be sure to pop in the Coven of Witches to get in the spirit of things…
Sue and I took a lovely walk today. From Burley Street, Forest Drive then headed north into the forest and back round to Burley. On the way we saw the shedded skin of an Adder, then disturbed a herd of deer who fleeted away from us, and the sun was shining!
Here are the pics.
Venue: Burley Manor, Burley, The New Forest, BH24 4BS
Date: Sunday 28 September 2008
Time: 11.00am
This event is organised by a Cancer Research UK supporter.
This looks like being a fun day out for all the family, and one that will hopefully raise some cash for Cancer Research.
Two courses: One 8.5 mile ride plus a 20 mile ride for the more adventurous.
Learn More about the Burley Cycle Challenge
The National Park Authority are proposing a scheme to make some car parks “dog free”. This comes from their draft Recreation Management Strategy and is causing a bit of a fuss from New Forest dog walkers.
I don’t have a dog. I used to own a Rottweiler though, and I know they do like a good walk! I have only had one bad experience with a dog in the Forest. I got chased by one when cycling. This was from a dog from a local farm, and not really related to the walkers ban issue.
Apart from that my experience of dog walkers has been pretty positive. Most of them are considerate to me, especially when cycling. I suspect there will be irresponsible dog owners who use the Forest, but it is a real shame when this minority will potentially curb the freedom of the vast majority of responsible dog owners and their four legged companions.
The New Forest Dog Owners Group (NFDOG) was started to protect the rights of dog owners. Here is their New Forest Dog Walking Code.
Here is a publication from the NFDOG regarding this draft from the NPA.
Went for a nice cycle ride this morning. Headed out for the Bratley Plain, just north of the busy A31. Listening to my iPod helped drown out the traffic noise. Cycling along I saw a nice view of ponies grazing in the purple heather. I stopped, got my camera out, and then saw three stags, who had just seen me. Fumbling with the camera, I was too slow and the three deer made a dash for the cover of the nearby trees.
On the way back I noticed some orange and yellow fungi, just along the road to Burley.
I enjoyed my visit to New Forest Cider, who are tucked away behind the Forest Tea Rooms, Pound Lane, Burley. I came away with a few litres of their excellent Snake-Catcher Scrumpy too, which made the trip even more rewarding, what’s more I even have the pictures to prove it.
On the 18th and 19th October 2008, from 11am to 4.30pm you can:
" Come and see cider making as t’wer done in Grandfer’s day with a vintage steam driven mobile press, a hand operated twin screw press and a horse drawn travelling press."
One of the highlights of my days is when the sun goes down in Burley. The twighlight brings out one of the magical and celebrated creatures of the night, the bat. These elusive creatures often skim over my rooftop as they hunt for insects.
There are 17 species of bat in the UK. I am not sure what species the bat in my photo comes from, but all the same, he or she is a fascinating warm blooded creature. Like the snake, numbers of bats have decreased drastically over the last century. Visit Bat Conservation Trust to learn more about protecting these wonderful flying mammals.
If you too are batty about bats you could sign up for the Family Bat Discovery guided, short walk this Friday on August 22nd 2008.
One of the New Forests most celebrated residents, and certainly one of the oldest, The Knightwood Oak. This regal old oak tree is fondly known as the ‘Queen of the Forest’.
Probably five or six hundred years old, this famous old oak tree, is the main attraction of and gave its name to, the Knightwood Oak Stroll. Situated just off the Bolderwood Arboretum Ornamental Drive, the Knightwood Oak Stroll is a wonderful place for a leafy picnic in the shadows of this historic oak tree.
The family and I enjoyed a lovely afternoon today at the 2008, Burley Village Show. Held at the Manor Park in Burley, just in the shadows of the Burley Manor. The Burley villagers came out in force to enjoy an afternoon of fun.
There were many different shows including a fun dog show, a dramatic bird of prey flying exhibition, live music and of course the usual village fete style vegetable and flower growing competitions. Being in The New Forest, and especially in Burley there was a fine selection of equestrian events and demonstrations.
All in all, a great afternoon, which was fantastic for the children as well as the adults.
After visiting the Rufus Stone, without a picnic. We found the Sir Walter Tyrell Inn, and we are very glad we did.
The staff were very friendly and helpful, and the delicious home cooked food was both generous and tasty.