Ocknell Inclosure: traces of war, early autumn fruit and a lichen hunt

On July 24, 2021July 23, 2021 By Amanda ScottIn Archaeology and history, Joan Begbie, New Forest, New Forest heaths, Northern New Forest, Trees and forestry2 Comments

In which I go for an early morning walk through a lovely pasture woodland in the New Forest, get scared (a bit) by some cows, and go on a lichen hunt

Hasley Inclosure in the New Forest: a young wood on an old hill

On July 17, 2021July 16, 2021 By Amanda ScottIn Joan Begbie, New Forest, Northern New Forest, Trees and forestry, WildflowersLeave a comment

In which I pause under trees in the rain at the heart of Hasley Inclosure in the northern New Forest

Country fox and town fox

On July 10, 2021July 9, 2021 By Amanda ScottIn Joan Begbie, New Forest, Wildlife4 Comments

In which I learn some things about rural and urban foxes

Wood ants

On July 3, 2021June 24, 2021 By Amanda ScottIn Joan Begbie, New Forest, Northern New Forest, Trees and forestry, WildlifeLeave a comment

In which I admire some busy wood ants in the New Forest

Ibsley Common and Dockenswater: hill, valley and mire

On June 26, 2021June 24, 2021 By Amanda ScottIn Archaeology and history, Butterflies, Joan Begbie, New Forest, New Forest heaths, Northern New Forest, Wildflowers2 Comments

In which I set out in mist and finish in sunshine on a walk to explore Ibsley Common and Dockenswater. Along the way I meet a Silver-studded Blue butterfly and lots of lovely wild flowers.

In the New Forest: landscape, history, and the network of things

On June 19, 2021June 18, 2021 By Amanda ScottIn Archaeology and history, Joan Begbie, New Forest, New Forest heaths, Northern New Forest4 Comments

In which I begin to learn about how to understand a landscape, by lifting my eyes and knowing where my feet are planted.

Amberwood, Sloden and Alderhill: memories and magic among the trees

On June 12, 2021June 12, 2021 By Amanda ScottIn Archaeology and history, Joan Begbie, New Forest, Northern New Forest, Trees and forestry, WildflowersLeave a comment

In which I find a haunted wood and memories of a woodsman's cottage, and spend some peaceful moments sitting on a bench deep in the forest.

Hampton Ridge: skylarks and history

On June 5, 2021June 10, 2021 By Amanda ScottIn Archaeology and history, Joan Begbie, New Forest, New Forest heaths, Northern New Forest, WildlifeLeave a comment

In which I am surrounded by skylark song, and learn some New Forest history. In particular, I am surprised by Second World War archaeology masquerading (according to the OS map) as tumuli.