We parked at Millyford Bridge car park near Lyndhurst this morning for a walk through Wooson's Hill and Holidays Hill Inclosures, via the Portuguese Fireplace and the Reptile Centre. It was the first dry day for a while and the Forest was very soggy under foot, back to the mud and splodge we know so well.
From Millyford Bridge car park looking towards the Portuguese Fireplace.
There were masses of cyclists about this morning, there was an event on, some were going up and some were going the opposite way down this small road, luckily not in large groups though, they were either on their own or in small groups of 3 or 4.
The Portuguese Fireplace.
During the First World War, Portuguese troops were stationed at this site in the New Forest to help produce timber for the war effort. There was a shortage of local manpower at the time as most forest workers were on military service. To ensure that meals were cooked in the traditional way, troops constructed this fireplace. The Forestry Commission have retained the fireplace from the cook house as a memorial to the men who lived and worked in the forest.
Very pleasant.
There were quite a few rhododendrons dotted here and there to add a splash of spring colour.
Fresh new larch fir cones.
And back to mud and water.
In order to avoid the mud and from sinking up to our armpits in it we had to walk alongside a fence on a raised bank on which the local wood ants were doing the same thing - thousands of them - they went on for a long way - they're certainly fitter than us! We came to a ditch full of water and found the ants had the best idea - cross on the fence, just like this......
Clever!
We then had a look round the Reptile Centre, where we saw more reptiles today than I think we have seen there before. I think maybe the sun had encouraged them out.
A common lizard.
A natterjack toad.
An adder...........
......and close up.
As well as the above reptiles we also saw a grass snake, a common toad, sand lizards and a smooth snake.The reptile centre ( I should have taken an overall picture of it) is a great place to visit, and at this time of year they have a hut/shed place where you can watch a goshawk's nest in action on a webcam. This year three baby goshawks hatched at the end of April and are now looking quite healthy and large.
The view from our lunch spot, on a very large fallen beech tree, taken lying down on the tree, looking up!
Nearly back at Millyford Bridge car park, the Highland Water.
We walked about 3.5 miles, saw plenty of wildlife, including various breeds of deer and loads of birds (and one particularly stressed wren who was not overly happy with our choice of lunch spot!)
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