Mudeford Sailing Club

Sunday 24th January was a lovely bright sunny day with a light wind from north east for our MSC Winter Walk, which had been planned and tested by Rowena and Ted, an excellent team. Assembly and meeting point was the Car Park, Whitefield Moor on the Rhinefield Road, near Brockenhurst, before lOam. (Some sailors missed the start time then!—Ed)

If you arrived late you would have little chance of knowing where we were off to -as the Planned Route was a secret -luckily everyone who was expected arrived on time. We set off in an easterly direction with 28 walkers and 5 dogs, across the open grasslands. Within five minutes the first walkers were well ahead, at the rear we were joined by several other dogs from the car park; this caused confusion, owners and dogs having a lovely time running round in circles, after a few minutes order was re-established.

The Pre-Start

The ground was still frozen and wet underfoot. It was lovely for the dogs to have a full run in the open ground, lots of rabbit and deer tracks for them to smell and get interested in.

Shortly after the Start, the fleet split up along predictable lines.

After half a mile we reached the corner of Beachern Wood, turned left down the gravel track. We were joined here by a large group of forest runners, who soon overtook us. We were walking north, slightly downhill, into a wooded area with lots of good muddy puddles for the adventurous. Two Golden Retrievers, a Black Labrador and Cairn Terrier to explore and get thoroughly wet; out white Fluffy dog friend decided to keep clean and dry. From our left, two large groups of forest runners appeared, some even stopped for a chat and to catch their breath back.

The Fast Fleet was well ahead after one lap, and no capsizes

The Slow Fleet was handicapped by a number of humans

A single horse rider on a nice black horse found all this activity in his quiet part of the forest a little confusing, and kept well off the track to our left. Walking on we turned right at Ober Corner towards the south east, half way along the edge of Black Knowle we gathered together and decided to cut north. Holding back slightly to allow some horse riders to pass from west to east; we did not want our playful hounds to unnerve the horses. Walking on tufts of grass we eventually joined the track towards Little Park Farm and reached Bolderford Bridge, where we stopped. This is where I believe the Lymington River starts. It was flowing quite well, but nobody threw in any 'Pooh sticks' for a race.

I’ve been in this magazine before, I’ll have you know!

Pooh Sticks? I beg your pardon??

As the ground ahead was expected to be very wet our Tour Guides suggested we return south west and walk alongside Ober Water on a good gravel track. After three quarters of a mile, we turned right towards Aldridge Hill Cottage, a pretty location and cottage on the edge of Obert Heath. Then on into the wooded area, a nice walk through the trees for three quarters of a mile towards Rhinefield Walk, turning south over Put tier Bridge and back to Whitefield Moor Car Park - good timing, 11.45am.

I was impressed that the car park had a good public loo, which proved very useful. We were now ready for lunch so off we set towards the Crown at Bransgore Cross Roads. We had an area of the pub for our MSC Party of 20 which was very pleasant, with good tasty food and drink served well and quickly, to individual choice.

An excellent day was had by all. Thank you.

Peter Nicholson

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