Cycling - Lyndhurst, Emery Down, Brockenhurst, Bolderwood circular - and in reverse another day.

About 18 miles each time.

Friday 17 August, and Monday 20 August. With Harry. About 500 feet of climbing, and some rough going on forest gravel tracks. Warm.

Setting off from the Boltons Bench car park, we walked through Lyndhurst with its busy one-way system - if ever a place needed a by pass, this is it!

We took the A337 for a few hundred yards before turning left for Pikes Hill, and continuing to Emery Down. A very narrow road with far too much traffic - I know, it is the height of the tourist season!

We then encountered a very large group of cyclists from Germany, doing a guided cycle tour. Too many in one group for my taste, but whatever floats your boat.

From Emery Down we turned left just after the pub, cycling past Millyford Bridge and the Portuguese Fireplace  climbing steadily towards the Bolderwood parking area, where we paused briefly before heading down Bolderwood Arboretum Ornamental Drive, which wasn't too busy and then across the A35 and down Rhinefield Ornamental Drive. This was pretty busy, and at one point we were overtaken by at least 20 motorbikes in a herd! 

We reached Brockenhurst, cycled through the ford and headed for the Buttery cafe for coffee and teacake. No longer full of badger and bear toys - now we have a cock and hen!

After that it was over to Balmerlawn, and following the forest tracks to Lyndhurst.

On Monday we followed the route in reverse. 

Lots of donkey and pony foals in the Forest.

A good stretch of the legs.

New Forest Jaunts 2 - cycling from Lyndhurst to Bolderwood and Brockenhurst

About 15 miles on a fine cold day, with a bit of a wind and some hills to get the blood moving.

From Lyndhurst up Pike hIll, and via Emery Down to Bolderwood. We passed the Portuguese Fireplace on the way.

Next to the memorial is a plaque:

"This is the site of a hutted camp occupied by a Portuguese army unit during the first World War. This unit assisted the depleted local labour force in producing timber for the war effort. The Forestry Commission have retained the fireplace from the cookhouse as a memorial to the men who lived and worked here and acknowledge the financial assistance of the Portuguese government in its renovation." 

 In order to help with the timber production for the war, a Portuguese Army unit working for the Canadian Timber Corps helped the local population whilst local foresters were away fighting. 

Bolderwood is a very popular spot with a large car park - there was even an ice-cream van, but we were not tempted. 

Well wrapped up against the cold.

From Bolderwood there is a very pleasant and mainly downhill ride along the Bolderwood and  Rhinefield Ornamental Drive eventually arriving at Brockenhurst, where we stopped for coffee at the Buttery.

We took the main road for the three final miles back to Lyndhurst - rather too busy to be really enjoyable, but the whole ride was excellent.