August 14th 2025 - Totton and Testwood Lakes

 Thursday 14th August

Almost 8 miles.  We walked over to Testwood Lakes, where we had a coffee from the flask.

A Sailability session was in progress. A retired OS worker came over and talked to us a while.

 

We continued round the northern end of the lake, and down across the bridges 

(one of which was blocked…) and then past Nursling Mill.

Our return route was via the Test Way, close to the railway and Nature Reserve.

We spent a while picking two tubs full of rather excellent blackberries. Quality was carefully tested as we picked. Another pause on a  bridge to load them properly in the backpack and drink some water.

On a little further along a shaded (and in places muddy!) path, then along the boardwalk. One section was broken and missing.

Through to Totton Civic Centre and park area, and into town to buy sandwiches and a lead to recharge my phone. Back to devour food and drink more water, before returning home via Rum Walk.

August 10th 2025 - Ashurst, Lyndhurst, Matley Wood

 Sunday 10th August

As planned we set off around 10.40 and walked the circuit to Lyndhurst (almost) via Ashurst 

through the woods, where we paused for a coffee,

 

before walking uphill (mostly) to Matley Wood. The next mile or so is ferociously unsheltered from the sun - hard work and a good job we had our fine straw hats on.Then we made our way towards the golf course. Underpass very surprisingly soggy, so we braved the busy road.  The path skirts the golf course, and heads into the Woodlands area. Much pleasanter and more sheltered - we found a delightfully quiet shady lunch spot.  Moving afterwards was an effort in the heat.  

Almost 11 miles.

August 2025 - Netley, Abbey and Country Park.

 Monday 4th August 

After lunch we walked over to West Totton (SO40), then Hanger Farm, both of which were closed. We walked back , singing.  3.4 miles so far today. 

Evening walk through Bartley park and skate park - all very quiet. 

Tuesday 5th August

A cooler night for sleeping. After a chilled out morning and coffee we went over to Netley Abbey, near Bursledon and Hamble.

  

We sat and drew for an hour and a half or so,

  

then went in search of toilets and food. We left the car, and walked along the coast road to the Royal Victoria Country Park, where we found the necessary facilities - indulged in a chicken mayo and a Moroccan mix veggie sandwich, followed by vanilla ice cream.

We returned to the Abbey to find the place closed, with the car locked inside the car park.

Luckily the man looking after the place  came out from his house and after giving us a token telling off, he regaled us with tales of pigeon racing in Europe and then of local ghosts, and horror stories.

In the evening we had a stroll round the skate park and back - lovely moon, nearly full, but no bats seen

July 2025 - short local walks.

 The weather was pretty hot, so we stuck to local walks, Wakerley Woods, Fineshade, Rutland Water, East Carlton, Weekley Hall Woods, etc…

June 22nd 2025 - Ironbridge

 Sunday 22nd June

We bought breakfast in the hostel, packed and out by 10, then took sketching gear and walked into Ironbridge - and got showered on, so no sketching was done.  

The Museum of the Gorge had teddy bear displays, a flood level marker - highest point was in 1947, but a couple of years in the 2000s were not far off. Wouldn’t buy a house near the river… 

Also some rather nice tiles, but at £28 each we didn’t indulge.

Returning home via Welshpool and Coalport 21 June 2025

 Saturday 21st June

Alas, we had to leave Bryn y Ffynnon, after a delightful week.

All packed and away by just before 10. 

A coffee stop at Trawsfynnydd Lake where it rained a little. Disappointingly weak coffee, and a dry crumbly scone, but a good view from the cafe window. 

To break the journey, we stopped at Welshpool, parking in a huge car park near the bus station and canal. 

A good sandwich and 00beer at the Royal Oak, then a walk along the Montgomery Canal, which is close to our parking spot. 

A pair of swans with nine large cygnets,  

 

This is very close to the town - a young bloke (teens/twenties) said how good it was to have nature so close. There were also  some butterflies, a red admiral and possibly a fritillary (quite large, orange, but flew over a fence before I could see it clearly. Teenagers fishing, ‘organised’ by a girl who may have been slightly older.

Spoke to a woman with a toddler, probably a grandchild, saying how nice the path was - she agreed, ‘though’ it’s rather overgrown’.

We didn’t visit Powis Castle, which is very close (NT) but not well signed. One for another time? (we made it in 2026)

Coalport. 

On to Coalport YHA.  Car park free for us until midnight tomorrow!Dinner at The Shakespeare Inn. 

 

We took a walk in the evening coolness along the track by the canal, then over the Severn, towards Jackfield, and the old MAWS tile factory.

,  

A view over the river on the way back. Midsummer evening…

 The room in the otherwise superb YHA hostel was incredibly hot, and the windows would not open enough. Luckily a tepid shower worked its magic and we were both able to sleep, though duvets were not used at all! Others have mentioned this on Trip advisor.