Early January

The New Year has brought a bout of rotten weather, I prefer crisp and cold to wet and windy. I have lead 2 rambles in the New Forest both in the dry. It was very wet underfoot and so I walked them in wellies. I had turnouts into double figures on both occasions so was pleased.

On Sunday 6th Jan we were out for a walk in West Moors and an alsatian dog followed us along a trail. We expected it to go home or its owner would turn up. No such luck!
When near the road, the dog rushed out into the traffic to attack each car as it passed. Needless to say it had a few near misses and there was lots of screeching brakes. I phoned the police and as I was doing that the dog wandered off (into the pub car park) never to be seen again. The policewoman arrived about 15 minutes later with treats and a lead for the dog, but it was too late.

We had a very good overnight stay at Trish and Colin's in Winterslow. We were well fed and watered and a good time was had by all. Thanks to Jane and Ron for the lift, it's nice to be chauffeured.

We've been out in the forest checking out possible rambles. This stream could cause problems if it has been raining. Some people come out in trainers or shoes and they would get wet feet on this crossing. Sue didn't try the crossing even in wellies!

We again saw the white deer. This time I managed to get a little closer.

I emailed the Forestry Commission about the deer and received this reply.

"The deer you have photographed is a white phase Fallow deer but not an albino. True albinos are very rare in the animal world and are identifiable by pink eyes. Deer like the one you photographed occur quite regularly in the wild population as do black deer but are often culled at an early age because they are so visible and draw attention to the rest of the herd. The keepers leave the odd white deer in areas where the public come to specifically see the deer such as Bolderwood."

That's it for a while. We are off to South Africa so watch this space in late Feb. early March.

Tot siens!