Monday, April 14
Ibsley Common - A trip into New Forest history - Route
Ibsley Common - A trip into New Forest history Pt 2
A descent into Pitts Wood, and then a steepening rise. Amongst the woodland flat areas of verdantly grassed clearings - possibly the legacy of military buildings? As I cleared the trees, the rain started to fall and with it a roll of thunder. A ridge is definitely not a good place to be in such a situation, so a hasty retreat back into the woodland, to shelter amongst a solitary holly grove, an excellent rain cover compared to the conifer trees that made up the majority of this particular Inclosure.
Pitts Wood Enclosure established 1775
Recognising the weather's contined dour mood, my hands now chilled with the temperature drop, it felt like a good place to call a halt for this particular trip; Especially as I'd been walking for a couple of hours, and one of my aims, to understand the geography of the area in better detail, had been largely achieved.
There just remained the thought of a two hour stomp back, playing hide & seek with the lurking rain clouds; Wary that one of my doggie companions had quite recently been showing extreme signs of old age, dropping down to the use of three legs for a couple of months. And now showing a certain disinterest in doing more than tag along in my wake.
View from Pitts Wood S to Hasley Hill (a little bit of Scotland?)
Thankfully the return trip proved rain free, helped by spotting a short cut from the south of Hasley Hill to the edge of Linwood, and a unmade track back to the Red Shoot Pub. A pint and food was beckoning. But the call for food proved illusionary with the food last orders announced half an hour before I arrived.
Suitable compensation then was a beer with a side chaser of a bag of nuts as I sat in the sunshine, the sky perversely now clear of cloud.
Eleven miles in 3.5 hours with a (nose-bleedingly) high point of 99 meters; Much ground covered, and much new territory to return to explore now the feeling for the area had been established
A good day.Labels: Ibsley Common, New Forest, walks
Ibsley Common - A trip into New Forest history Pt 1
Time on my hands today. And with a weather forecast for reasonable weather it felt the right time for a longish wander in the New Forest. Somewhere different for a change. Ibsley Common, north of Ringwood, is an area I've not really explored. But based on a couple of past incursions, and some subsequent web research it felt like time to see whether the valley ground was dry or still liable to be boggy underfoot.
Parking near the Red Shoot Pub (GR 188 094) I followed the tarmac road north and quickly came to the edge of the common land. Only the one stile to cross over and I'd be on open land. A pity then that the noveau rich of this area, in an effort, I assume, to deter tourists from the nearby Red Shoot campsite, had chosen to make the stile and surrounding fence stock proof by copious amount of chicken wire. Not even a rabbit could have got pass this obstruction. Cursing profusely at the narrow mindedness of the individual concerned my day started by carrying two medium sized collies over the stile whilst ensuring my footing remained firm, and the dogs unafraid at their aerial trip.
On past the electric fencing, the way ahead clearly laid out in case the pedestrian may inadvertently wander slack jawed into the paddocks alongside. Stalag IX couldn't have wished for better protection from stragglers. A pity the fields were totally empty of any stock.
Up the hill and onto the ridge and my first checkpoint - a brightly painted trig point.
Trig point @ GR 175103
The wide track along the ridge was familiar ground leading to the DF Site explored on a previous trip, but a chance this time to look over the bunker position a few hundred metres to the south of it. .
DF site
Rubble strewn in the entrance, and recollected warning about an possible adder nest meant a quick look was enough for today.
The Old Bunker
The wind gusting from the NW meant the weak sun had its work cut to keep me warm, so picking up the pace I continued to follow the ridge track onwards to Hasley Hill Inclosure off in the distance.
Hasley Hill
The sight of an occasional buzzard, testing the thermals, my only visiting company so far today.
Once at the Inclosure there was a wider track to follow, and quickly covered. A short halt was called near to the landmark known as the Little Witch. I sat surveying the heathland trying to work out my next challenge. Where was the minor track, marked on the OS map, necessary to cross the valley to Alderhill Inclosure?
The break was a good move on my part as it turned out. I spotted a string of walkers at my proposed destination, moving in my general direction. By the time I was ready to move on they had appeared close by, marking the path I should follow, until then hidden by the rise of the hill on which I sat.
Muddy work now with a couple of streams to ford, and the ubiquitous yellow clay, local to the area, underfoot at times. A slippery surface at the best of times, but worse when descending the slope.
Up onto Hampton Ridge (GR 183135) a wide well surfaced track, possibly a legacy from the wartime activity in the area. Moving quickly now, in the distance the clouds now gathering dark and ominous. The wind, previously gusty, now starting to pick up strength as the temperature dropped.
Rain was on the way, and my waterproofs safely stored away - in my car a couple of hours away. Well it had been such a pleasant day I'd opted for the Montane windshirt -a good move so far, but not a garment I'd ever trust as waterproof when caught on a ridge in a strong wind driven downpour.
(Tumulus/Sub Pen S of Pitts Wood GR201 142)
With one eye on the clouds I rapidly by-passed the Tumulus to my right (the lump in the middle behind the pond - possbly a WWII submarine pen mock up) With threatening clouds now was not the time to tarry and explore, although judging by the number of tracks around the foor of the mound there was plenty to look over at some future time.Labels: Ibsley Common, New Forest, walks
Thursday, December 20
Ibsley Common - World War II and the New Forest
After further feedback (thanks Jon) and some initial research of my own there's more information slowly appearing about goings on in this area, and the remnants left behind.
Its quite an amazing turn of events really. The initial post thread started out casually questioning a small ruin standing alone on a New Forest ridge. And since has been regularly unearthing a rich seam of recent military and social history.
Firstly some more pictures and location detail of various military remains in the area, tying in with the military airfield RAF Ibsley.
Next a very detailed piece from 1995 (Norman Parker's 'Wartime Secrets of the Forest') indicating the sheer size of the military area and the high level of secrecy surrounding it.
And then there's even a film tie-in with original WWII bomb testing footage from the range appearing in the 1969 film "Mosquito Squadron" showing the original Highball bomb drop . With some pictures and schematic of the bomb here.
To quote Wartime Secrets (which the local library is now trying to source for me)
"As the war drew to its close, Grand Slams (bombs) rained down on the previously impenetrable reinforced targets of Europe, destroying them one by one."
And let's not get started on the bronze age barrows in the same area.
Phew. Lots to gaze over whilst the imagination soars as next time I wander across what once appeared as a simple New Forest heathland, open to the sky.
Is that the far off drone of long vanished bombers from high overhead?Labels: Ibsley Common, New Forest, walks
Friday, November 30
Warfare near the New Forest Fairy Glen - More
Jon has provided further details of the ex World War II buildings, with information which starts to put some real meat on the bones of the history around this area.
So with due acknowledgement to the source site for this http://www.geocaching.com/s here's the relevant article:
"This virtual cache is situated on Ibsley Common in the New Forest, north of Ringwood.
The cache site is the remains of a WWII Radio Direction Finding Station or D/F Station. D/F usually consisted of three stations working on the same frequency. A pilot, who was lost or uncertain of his position, would transmit on a frequency asking for a ‘fix’. The three stations receiving the signal could then use the three different bearings to give the position. All that can be seen at the site now is the blast wall. This wall protected the D/F building from any bombs dropping. Fortunately, the only bomb dropped nearby fell two to three hundred yards away.
The D/F building was about 24 feet in height and was made out of wood and felt (so it would not interfere with reception). When inside the blast wall look for the bolts that used to anchor the building down. Set around the building, at the points of the compass, are small concrete blocks in amongst the heather. Off to the east, about 50 yards is the remains of the WAAF accommodation block.
The air raid shelter is home to a family of adders – BE WARNED"
And there's some further detail on another WWII feature:
"During the Second World War this area was the Ashley Walk Bombing Range.
The RAF brought back evidence that the Germans were building vast structures of reinforced concrete to house their submarines. This knowledge led to a massive reinforced concrete raft, 6ft thick, 79ft by 70ft being built of high quality concrete, for the purpose of testing. It is supported on five equidistant walls 6ft high on a foundation 20 inches thick. In 1942 this cost £250,000!
During the clear up of the area, after the war, this structure proved to be indestructible and so had to be buried. Today it is marked as a Tumulus on an OS map.
As you walk to the top of the ‘Pens’ you will be able to see some of the reinforced concrete. When at the top look around and you will see many small depressions, these are the remains of bomb craters. To the NW (about 100 metres) there is a larger crater. This is where the only ‘Grand Slam’ bomb (22000lb) was dropped on test and exploded. It created a crater 100ft in diameter and 70ft in depth.
Today it is marked by a large growth of reeds in a slight depression"
(Source reference)
Both were posted by the same individual Coordin8z and hopefully there's more to come.
Personally this sort of information really brings the past to life for me, and gives a real focus when planning walks in this area. And lets face it at this time of year we need all the impetus we can find to get out there for more than the short burst walk around regularly visit spots.
Thanks again Jon for tracking this down, and giving me the poke to get out for further exploration. Labels: Ibsley Common, New Forest, walks
Wednesday, November 21
Warfare near the New Forest Fairy Glen
A postive spin off from this blogging lark has been making contact with like minded folk. Particularly in my own area.
Now I know for your folk oop north that may sound a strange claim. But here in the deep (and mainly flat) southern lands fellow backpacking/wildcamping adherents remain well hidden.
I'd met up with Jon earlier this year, and since then we've irregularly exchange tips and trip ideas. With Jon being an active member of the Dorset branch of the Backpacker's Club he not only helps keep me informed as to their trips, but keeps tempting me to get more actively involved myself (Which I really must sort out in 2008)
Jon, like myself, is always on the look out for new route ideas locally. So my post on the Fairy Glen recently flushed him out of hiding for his own exploration. And a much more detailed job he's made of it.
Jon's kindly agreed to me posting details after he arrived at the WWII (we think) building
So in Jon's own words :
"I imagine this is an observation post, it has a really good view down the valley. I was at the bottom of the valley later, and it was quite prominent on the skyline.
More interestingly, I had spotted some bricks on the other side of the path, and thought it might make a good spot for lunch. when I got there I found this (this is looking back towards the other building)
There were lots of bricks blocking the stairs....
At this point I found that my head torch batteries were flat, but I did stick the camera round the corner:
A bit further on there were some wire ropes and a brick base which could have been a mast?"
Jon continues with some further information about the submarine pen & some crosses, possibly targets for the bombing range.
As I said on the original post, this area is screaming out for repeated visits. Its a wide open expanse of mostly ridge walking. Which thinking about it is exactly the sort of walk that I enjoy the most. And in the teeming rain around here currently its probably the driest spot around, the forest heathland taking on the consistency of sticky bog once off the regular tracks. But before I do that I think a bit of detective work on the net and at the local library is required, as this area looks rich in exWD buildings and may well have many more long overlooked treasures to reveal.
Thanks Jon - at last a reason to get more into this particular area, despite the 30 mile round trip. And a decent pub for carb/liquid take-on along the trip if I time it right. Result!
(Again no grid refs - you'll need to contact me, or work it out for yourselves)Labels: Ibsley Common, New Forest, walks
Sunday, November 11
New Forest: Fairy Glen and Thought for the Day
After last week's mention about Fairy Folk, and following some further detective work, my trip out today felt a little like a scene from The X-Files to be honest. The Aim: to Seek The Truth (We Are Not Alone?)
Frankly the tale sounded a little far fetched to me. Fairies at the bottom of the garden! Pah - we all have some of those at the bottom of our garden/window box etc. Surely.
Err. Yes. Ok. Keep taking the pills. Those little yellow ones that work so well.
Anyway - anything left for long in the more tourist infested spots in the NF tends to be removed/damaged relatively quickly.
Approaching a fording point on a small forest stream less than five minutes walk from the road, and minutes drive from that famous New Forest pub/camp site 'The Red Shoot', I came across this greeting.
Dingly Dell
And from this point the pictures speak for themselves. There's nothing much I can add.
(Well you try coming up with something relevant to describe this surreal situation )
Just hanging around?
Ray Mears wuz ere?
Cheaper than a Directline Insurance quote?
Who's nicked my door?
A Sunday afternoon nap after a visit to the nearby pub?
After all this I quietly withdrew leaving the local community to its own ends. I was off to explore the surrounding ridges.
Now surely nothing would top this one today........?
Half an hour later I spotted a brick building high atop a ridge. Very remote. Purpose unclear.
And finding it to be a building, rather than a water tank as I first thought, I cautiously entered
(Please note - attack dog at the ready)
Only to be met by this:
Someone's having a laugh with me today.
Top that one walking magazines/forums. Surely worth a cheeky post on Outdoors Magic?
(I've deliberately avoided posting any of the precise locations. If you want to know better drop me an e-mail)Labels: Ibsley Common, New Forest, walks
All site material © John Hee - ask before you snatch
Ibsley Common - A trip into New Forest history Pt 2
A descent into Pitts Wood, and then a steepening rise. Amongst the woodland flat areas of verdantly grassed clearings - possibly the legacy of military buildings? As I cleared the trees, the rain started to fall and with it a roll of thunder. A ridge is definitely not a good place to be in such a situation, so a hasty retreat back into the woodland, to shelter amongst a solitary holly grove, an excellent rain cover compared to the conifer trees that made up the majority of this particular Inclosure.
Pitts Wood Enclosure established 1775
Recognising the weather's contined dour mood, my hands now chilled with the temperature drop, it felt like a good place to call a halt for this particular trip; Especially as I'd been walking for a couple of hours, and one of my aims, to understand the geography of the area in better detail, had been largely achieved.
There just remained the thought of a two hour stomp back, playing hide & seek with the lurking rain clouds; Wary that one of my doggie companions had quite recently been showing extreme signs of old age, dropping down to the use of three legs for a couple of months. And now showing a certain disinterest in doing more than tag along in my wake.
View from Pitts Wood S to Hasley Hill (a little bit of Scotland?)
Thankfully the return trip proved rain free, helped by spotting a short cut from the south of Hasley Hill to the edge of Linwood, and a unmade track back to the Red Shoot Pub. A pint and food was beckoning. But the call for food proved illusionary with the food last orders announced half an hour before I arrived.
Suitable compensation then was a beer with a side chaser of a bag of nuts as I sat in the sunshine, the sky perversely now clear of cloud.
Eleven miles in 3.5 hours with a (nose-bleedingly) high point of 99 meters; Much ground covered, and much new territory to return to explore now the feeling for the area had been established
A good day.Labels: Ibsley Common, New Forest, walks
Ibsley Common - A trip into New Forest history Pt 1
Time on my hands today. And with a weather forecast for reasonable weather it felt the right time for a longish wander in the New Forest. Somewhere different for a change. Ibsley Common, north of Ringwood, is an area I've not really explored. But based on a couple of past incursions, and some subsequent web research it felt like time to see whether the valley ground was dry or still liable to be boggy underfoot.
Parking near the Red Shoot Pub (GR 188 094) I followed the tarmac road north and quickly came to the edge of the common land. Only the one stile to cross over and I'd be on open land. A pity then that the noveau rich of this area, in an effort, I assume, to deter tourists from the nearby Red Shoot campsite, had chosen to make the stile and surrounding fence stock proof by copious amount of chicken wire. Not even a rabbit could have got pass this obstruction. Cursing profusely at the narrow mindedness of the individual concerned my day started by carrying two medium sized collies over the stile whilst ensuring my footing remained firm, and the dogs unafraid at their aerial trip.
On past the electric fencing, the way ahead clearly laid out in case the pedestrian may inadvertently wander slack jawed into the paddocks alongside. Stalag IX couldn't have wished for better protection from stragglers. A pity the fields were totally empty of any stock.
Up the hill and onto the ridge and my first checkpoint - a brightly painted trig point.
Trig point @ GR 175103
The wide track along the ridge was familiar ground leading to the DF Site explored on a previous trip, but a chance this time to look over the bunker position a few hundred metres to the south of it. .
DF site
Rubble strewn in the entrance, and recollected warning about an possible adder nest meant a quick look was enough for today.
The Old Bunker
The wind gusting from the NW meant the weak sun had its work cut to keep me warm, so picking up the pace I continued to follow the ridge track onwards to Hasley Hill Inclosure off in the distance.
Hasley Hill
The sight of an occasional buzzard, testing the thermals, my only visiting company so far today.
Once at the Inclosure there was a wider track to follow, and quickly covered. A short halt was called near to the landmark known as the Little Witch. I sat surveying the heathland trying to work out my next challenge. Where was the minor track, marked on the OS map, necessary to cross the valley to Alderhill Inclosure?
The break was a good move on my part as it turned out. I spotted a string of walkers at my proposed destination, moving in my general direction. By the time I was ready to move on they had appeared close by, marking the path I should follow, until then hidden by the rise of the hill on which I sat.
Muddy work now with a couple of streams to ford, and the ubiquitous yellow clay, local to the area, underfoot at times. A slippery surface at the best of times, but worse when descending the slope.
Up onto Hampton Ridge (GR 183135) a wide well surfaced track, possibly a legacy from the wartime activity in the area. Moving quickly now, in the distance the clouds now gathering dark and ominous. The wind, previously gusty, now starting to pick up strength as the temperature dropped.
Rain was on the way, and my waterproofs safely stored away - in my car a couple of hours away. Well it had been such a pleasant day I'd opted for the Montane windshirt -a good move so far, but not a garment I'd ever trust as waterproof when caught on a ridge in a strong wind driven downpour.
(Tumulus/Sub Pen S of Pitts Wood GR201 142)
With one eye on the clouds I rapidly by-passed the Tumulus to my right (the lump in the middle behind the pond - possbly a WWII submarine pen mock up) With threatening clouds now was not the time to tarry and explore, although judging by the number of tracks around the foor of the mound there was plenty to look over at some future time.Labels: Ibsley Common, New Forest, walks
Thursday, December 20
Ibsley Common - World War II and the New Forest
After further feedback (thanks Jon) and some initial research of my own there's more information slowly appearing about goings on in this area, and the remnants left behind.
Its quite an amazing turn of events really. The initial post thread started out casually questioning a small ruin standing alone on a New Forest ridge. And since has been regularly unearthing a rich seam of recent military and social history.
Firstly some more pictures and location detail of various military remains in the area, tying in with the military airfield RAF Ibsley.
Next a very detailed piece from 1995 (Norman Parker's 'Wartime Secrets of the Forest') indicating the sheer size of the military area and the high level of secrecy surrounding it.
And then there's even a film tie-in with original WWII bomb testing footage from the range appearing in the 1969 film "Mosquito Squadron" showing the original Highball bomb drop . With some pictures and schematic of the bomb here.
To quote Wartime Secrets (which the local library is now trying to source for me)
"As the war drew to its close, Grand Slams (bombs) rained down on the previously impenetrable reinforced targets of Europe, destroying them one by one."
And let's not get started on the bronze age barrows in the same area.
Phew. Lots to gaze over whilst the imagination soars as next time I wander across what once appeared as a simple New Forest heathland, open to the sky.
Is that the far off drone of long vanished bombers from high overhead?Labels: Ibsley Common, New Forest, walks
Friday, November 30
Warfare near the New Forest Fairy Glen - More
Jon has provided further details of the ex World War II buildings, with information which starts to put some real meat on the bones of the history around this area.
So with due acknowledgement to the source site for this http://www.geocaching.com/s here's the relevant article:
"This virtual cache is situated on Ibsley Common in the New Forest, north of Ringwood.
The cache site is the remains of a WWII Radio Direction Finding Station or D/F Station. D/F usually consisted of three stations working on the same frequency. A pilot, who was lost or uncertain of his position, would transmit on a frequency asking for a ‘fix’. The three stations receiving the signal could then use the three different bearings to give the position. All that can be seen at the site now is the blast wall. This wall protected the D/F building from any bombs dropping. Fortunately, the only bomb dropped nearby fell two to three hundred yards away.
The D/F building was about 24 feet in height and was made out of wood and felt (so it would not interfere with reception). When inside the blast wall look for the bolts that used to anchor the building down. Set around the building, at the points of the compass, are small concrete blocks in amongst the heather. Off to the east, about 50 yards is the remains of the WAAF accommodation block.
The air raid shelter is home to a family of adders – BE WARNED"
And there's some further detail on another WWII feature:
"During the Second World War this area was the Ashley Walk Bombing Range.
The RAF brought back evidence that the Germans were building vast structures of reinforced concrete to house their submarines. This knowledge led to a massive reinforced concrete raft, 6ft thick, 79ft by 70ft being built of high quality concrete, for the purpose of testing. It is supported on five equidistant walls 6ft high on a foundation 20 inches thick. In 1942 this cost £250,000!
During the clear up of the area, after the war, this structure proved to be indestructible and so had to be buried. Today it is marked as a Tumulus on an OS map.
As you walk to the top of the ‘Pens’ you will be able to see some of the reinforced concrete. When at the top look around and you will see many small depressions, these are the remains of bomb craters. To the NW (about 100 metres) there is a larger crater. This is where the only ‘Grand Slam’ bomb (22000lb) was dropped on test and exploded. It created a crater 100ft in diameter and 70ft in depth.
Today it is marked by a large growth of reeds in a slight depression"
(Source reference)
Both were posted by the same individual Coordin8z and hopefully there's more to come.
Personally this sort of information really brings the past to life for me, and gives a real focus when planning walks in this area. And lets face it at this time of year we need all the impetus we can find to get out there for more than the short burst walk around regularly visit spots.
Thanks again Jon for tracking this down, and giving me the poke to get out for further exploration. Labels: Ibsley Common, New Forest, walks
Wednesday, November 21
Warfare near the New Forest Fairy Glen
A postive spin off from this blogging lark has been making contact with like minded folk. Particularly in my own area.
Now I know for your folk oop north that may sound a strange claim. But here in the deep (and mainly flat) southern lands fellow backpacking/wildcamping adherents remain well hidden.
I'd met up with Jon earlier this year, and since then we've irregularly exchange tips and trip ideas. With Jon being an active member of the Dorset branch of the Backpacker's Club he not only helps keep me informed as to their trips, but keeps tempting me to get more actively involved myself (Which I really must sort out in 2008)
Jon, like myself, is always on the look out for new route ideas locally. So my post on the Fairy Glen recently flushed him out of hiding for his own exploration. And a much more detailed job he's made of it.
Jon's kindly agreed to me posting details after he arrived at the WWII (we think) building
So in Jon's own words :
"I imagine this is an observation post, it has a really good view down the valley. I was at the bottom of the valley later, and it was quite prominent on the skyline.
More interestingly, I had spotted some bricks on the other side of the path, and thought it might make a good spot for lunch. when I got there I found this (this is looking back towards the other building)
There were lots of bricks blocking the stairs....
At this point I found that my head torch batteries were flat, but I did stick the camera round the corner:
A bit further on there were some wire ropes and a brick base which could have been a mast?"
Jon continues with some further information about the submarine pen & some crosses, possibly targets for the bombing range.
As I said on the original post, this area is screaming out for repeated visits. Its a wide open expanse of mostly ridge walking. Which thinking about it is exactly the sort of walk that I enjoy the most. And in the teeming rain around here currently its probably the driest spot around, the forest heathland taking on the consistency of sticky bog once off the regular tracks. But before I do that I think a bit of detective work on the net and at the local library is required, as this area looks rich in exWD buildings and may well have many more long overlooked treasures to reveal.
Thanks Jon - at last a reason to get more into this particular area, despite the 30 mile round trip. And a decent pub for carb/liquid take-on along the trip if I time it right. Result!
(Again no grid refs - you'll need to contact me, or work it out for yourselves)Labels: Ibsley Common, New Forest, walks
Sunday, November 11
New Forest: Fairy Glen and Thought for the Day
After last week's mention about Fairy Folk, and following some further detective work, my trip out today felt a little like a scene from The X-Files to be honest. The Aim: to Seek The Truth (We Are Not Alone?)
Frankly the tale sounded a little far fetched to me. Fairies at the bottom of the garden! Pah - we all have some of those at the bottom of our garden/window box etc. Surely.
Err. Yes. Ok. Keep taking the pills. Those little yellow ones that work so well.
Anyway - anything left for long in the more tourist infested spots in the NF tends to be removed/damaged relatively quickly.
Approaching a fording point on a small forest stream less than five minutes walk from the road, and minutes drive from that famous New Forest pub/camp site 'The Red Shoot', I came across this greeting.
Dingly Dell
And from this point the pictures speak for themselves. There's nothing much I can add.
(Well you try coming up with something relevant to describe this surreal situation )
Just hanging around?
Ray Mears wuz ere?
Cheaper than a Directline Insurance quote?
Who's nicked my door?
A Sunday afternoon nap after a visit to the nearby pub?
After all this I quietly withdrew leaving the local community to its own ends. I was off to explore the surrounding ridges.
Now surely nothing would top this one today........?
Half an hour later I spotted a brick building high atop a ridge. Very remote. Purpose unclear.
And finding it to be a building, rather than a water tank as I first thought, I cautiously entered
(Please note - attack dog at the ready)
Only to be met by this:
Someone's having a laugh with me today.
Top that one walking magazines/forums. Surely worth a cheeky post on Outdoors Magic?
(I've deliberately avoided posting any of the precise locations. If you want to know better drop me an e-mail)Labels: Ibsley Common, New Forest, walks
All site material © John Hee - ask before you snatch
Pitts Wood Enclosure established 1775Recognising the weather's contined dour mood, my hands now chilled with the temperature drop, it felt like a good place to call a halt for this particular trip; Especially as I'd been walking for a couple of hours, and one of my aims, to understand the geography of the area in better detail, had been largely achieved.
There just remained the thought of a two hour stomp back, playing hide & seek with the lurking rain clouds; Wary that one of my doggie companions had quite recently been showing extreme signs of old age, dropping down to the use of three legs for a couple of months. And now showing a certain disinterest in doing more than tag along in my wake.
View from Pitts Wood S to Hasley Hill (a little bit of Scotland?)
Thankfully the return trip proved rain free, helped by spotting a short cut from the south of Hasley Hill to the edge of Linwood, and a unmade track back to the Red Shoot Pub. A pint and food was beckoning. But the call for food proved illusionary with the food last orders announced half an hour before I arrived.
Suitable compensation then was a beer with a side chaser of a bag of nuts as I sat in the sunshine, the sky perversely now clear of cloud.
Eleven miles in 3.5 hours with a (nose-bleedingly) high point of 99 meters; Much ground covered, and much new territory to return to explore now the feeling for the area had been established
A good day.
Labels: Ibsley Common, New Forest, walks
Ibsley Common - A trip into New Forest history Pt 1
Time on my hands today. And with a weather forecast for reasonable weather it felt the right time for a longish wander in the New Forest. Somewhere different for a change. Ibsley Common, north of Ringwood, is an area I've not really explored. But based on a couple of past incursions, and some subsequent web research it felt like time to see whether the valley ground was dry or still liable to be boggy underfoot.
Parking near the Red Shoot Pub (GR 188 094) I followed the tarmac road north and quickly came to the edge of the common land. Only the one stile to cross over and I'd be on open land. A pity then that the noveau rich of this area, in an effort, I assume, to deter tourists from the nearby Red Shoot campsite, had chosen to make the stile and surrounding fence stock proof by copious amount of chicken wire. Not even a rabbit could have got pass this obstruction. Cursing profusely at the narrow mindedness of the individual concerned my day started by carrying two medium sized collies over the stile whilst ensuring my footing remained firm, and the dogs unafraid at their aerial trip.
On past the electric fencing, the way ahead clearly laid out in case the pedestrian may inadvertently wander slack jawed into the paddocks alongside. Stalag IX couldn't have wished for better protection from stragglers. A pity the fields were totally empty of any stock.
Up the hill and onto the ridge and my first checkpoint - a brightly painted trig point.
Trig point @ GR 175103
The wide track along the ridge was familiar ground leading to the DF Site explored on a previous trip, but a chance this time to look over the bunker position a few hundred metres to the south of it. .
DF site
Rubble strewn in the entrance, and recollected warning about an possible adder nest meant a quick look was enough for today.
The Old Bunker
The wind gusting from the NW meant the weak sun had its work cut to keep me warm, so picking up the pace I continued to follow the ridge track onwards to Hasley Hill Inclosure off in the distance.
Hasley Hill
The sight of an occasional buzzard, testing the thermals, my only visiting company so far today.
Once at the Inclosure there was a wider track to follow, and quickly covered. A short halt was called near to the landmark known as the Little Witch. I sat surveying the heathland trying to work out my next challenge. Where was the minor track, marked on the OS map, necessary to cross the valley to Alderhill Inclosure?
The break was a good move on my part as it turned out. I spotted a string of walkers at my proposed destination, moving in my general direction. By the time I was ready to move on they had appeared close by, marking the path I should follow, until then hidden by the rise of the hill on which I sat.
Muddy work now with a couple of streams to ford, and the ubiquitous yellow clay, local to the area, underfoot at times. A slippery surface at the best of times, but worse when descending the slope.
Up onto Hampton Ridge (GR 183135) a wide well surfaced track, possibly a legacy from the wartime activity in the area. Moving quickly now, in the distance the clouds now gathering dark and ominous. The wind, previously gusty, now starting to pick up strength as the temperature dropped.
Rain was on the way, and my waterproofs safely stored away - in my car a couple of hours away. Well it had been such a pleasant day I'd opted for the Montane windshirt -a good move so far, but not a garment I'd ever trust as waterproof when caught on a ridge in a strong wind driven downpour.
(Tumulus/Sub Pen S of Pitts Wood GR201 142)
With one eye on the clouds I rapidly by-passed the Tumulus to my right (the lump in the middle behind the pond - possbly a WWII submarine pen mock up) With threatening clouds now was not the time to tarry and explore, although judging by the number of tracks around the foor of the mound there was plenty to look over at some future time.Labels: Ibsley Common, New Forest, walks
Thursday, December 20
Ibsley Common - World War II and the New Forest
After further feedback (thanks Jon) and some initial research of my own there's more information slowly appearing about goings on in this area, and the remnants left behind.
Its quite an amazing turn of events really. The initial post thread started out casually questioning a small ruin standing alone on a New Forest ridge. And since has been regularly unearthing a rich seam of recent military and social history.
Firstly some more pictures and location detail of various military remains in the area, tying in with the military airfield RAF Ibsley.
Next a very detailed piece from 1995 (Norman Parker's 'Wartime Secrets of the Forest') indicating the sheer size of the military area and the high level of secrecy surrounding it.
And then there's even a film tie-in with original WWII bomb testing footage from the range appearing in the 1969 film "Mosquito Squadron" showing the original Highball bomb drop . With some pictures and schematic of the bomb here.
To quote Wartime Secrets (which the local library is now trying to source for me)
"As the war drew to its close, Grand Slams (bombs) rained down on the previously impenetrable reinforced targets of Europe, destroying them one by one."
And let's not get started on the bronze age barrows in the same area.
Phew. Lots to gaze over whilst the imagination soars as next time I wander across what once appeared as a simple New Forest heathland, open to the sky.
Is that the far off drone of long vanished bombers from high overhead?Labels: Ibsley Common, New Forest, walks
Friday, November 30
Warfare near the New Forest Fairy Glen - More
Jon has provided further details of the ex World War II buildings, with information which starts to put some real meat on the bones of the history around this area.
So with due acknowledgement to the source site for this http://www.geocaching.com/s here's the relevant article:
"This virtual cache is situated on Ibsley Common in the New Forest, north of Ringwood.
The cache site is the remains of a WWII Radio Direction Finding Station or D/F Station. D/F usually consisted of three stations working on the same frequency. A pilot, who was lost or uncertain of his position, would transmit on a frequency asking for a ‘fix’. The three stations receiving the signal could then use the three different bearings to give the position. All that can be seen at the site now is the blast wall. This wall protected the D/F building from any bombs dropping. Fortunately, the only bomb dropped nearby fell two to three hundred yards away.
The D/F building was about 24 feet in height and was made out of wood and felt (so it would not interfere with reception). When inside the blast wall look for the bolts that used to anchor the building down. Set around the building, at the points of the compass, are small concrete blocks in amongst the heather. Off to the east, about 50 yards is the remains of the WAAF accommodation block.
The air raid shelter is home to a family of adders – BE WARNED"
And there's some further detail on another WWII feature:
"During the Second World War this area was the Ashley Walk Bombing Range.
The RAF brought back evidence that the Germans were building vast structures of reinforced concrete to house their submarines. This knowledge led to a massive reinforced concrete raft, 6ft thick, 79ft by 70ft being built of high quality concrete, for the purpose of testing. It is supported on five equidistant walls 6ft high on a foundation 20 inches thick. In 1942 this cost £250,000!
During the clear up of the area, after the war, this structure proved to be indestructible and so had to be buried. Today it is marked as a Tumulus on an OS map.
As you walk to the top of the ‘Pens’ you will be able to see some of the reinforced concrete. When at the top look around and you will see many small depressions, these are the remains of bomb craters. To the NW (about 100 metres) there is a larger crater. This is where the only ‘Grand Slam’ bomb (22000lb) was dropped on test and exploded. It created a crater 100ft in diameter and 70ft in depth.
Today it is marked by a large growth of reeds in a slight depression"
(Source reference)
Both were posted by the same individual Coordin8z and hopefully there's more to come.
Personally this sort of information really brings the past to life for me, and gives a real focus when planning walks in this area. And lets face it at this time of year we need all the impetus we can find to get out there for more than the short burst walk around regularly visit spots.
Thanks again Jon for tracking this down, and giving me the poke to get out for further exploration. Labels: Ibsley Common, New Forest, walks
Wednesday, November 21
Warfare near the New Forest Fairy Glen
A postive spin off from this blogging lark has been making contact with like minded folk. Particularly in my own area.
Now I know for your folk oop north that may sound a strange claim. But here in the deep (and mainly flat) southern lands fellow backpacking/wildcamping adherents remain well hidden.
I'd met up with Jon earlier this year, and since then we've irregularly exchange tips and trip ideas. With Jon being an active member of the Dorset branch of the Backpacker's Club he not only helps keep me informed as to their trips, but keeps tempting me to get more actively involved myself (Which I really must sort out in 2008)
Jon, like myself, is always on the look out for new route ideas locally. So my post on the Fairy Glen recently flushed him out of hiding for his own exploration. And a much more detailed job he's made of it.
Jon's kindly agreed to me posting details after he arrived at the WWII (we think) building
So in Jon's own words :
"I imagine this is an observation post, it has a really good view down the valley. I was at the bottom of the valley later, and it was quite prominent on the skyline.
More interestingly, I had spotted some bricks on the other side of the path, and thought it might make a good spot for lunch. when I got there I found this (this is looking back towards the other building)
There were lots of bricks blocking the stairs....
At this point I found that my head torch batteries were flat, but I did stick the camera round the corner:
A bit further on there were some wire ropes and a brick base which could have been a mast?"
Jon continues with some further information about the submarine pen & some crosses, possibly targets for the bombing range.
As I said on the original post, this area is screaming out for repeated visits. Its a wide open expanse of mostly ridge walking. Which thinking about it is exactly the sort of walk that I enjoy the most. And in the teeming rain around here currently its probably the driest spot around, the forest heathland taking on the consistency of sticky bog once off the regular tracks. But before I do that I think a bit of detective work on the net and at the local library is required, as this area looks rich in exWD buildings and may well have many more long overlooked treasures to reveal.
Thanks Jon - at last a reason to get more into this particular area, despite the 30 mile round trip. And a decent pub for carb/liquid take-on along the trip if I time it right. Result!
(Again no grid refs - you'll need to contact me, or work it out for yourselves)Labels: Ibsley Common, New Forest, walks
Sunday, November 11
New Forest: Fairy Glen and Thought for the Day
After last week's mention about Fairy Folk, and following some further detective work, my trip out today felt a little like a scene from The X-Files to be honest. The Aim: to Seek The Truth (We Are Not Alone?)
Frankly the tale sounded a little far fetched to me. Fairies at the bottom of the garden! Pah - we all have some of those at the bottom of our garden/window box etc. Surely.
Err. Yes. Ok. Keep taking the pills. Those little yellow ones that work so well.
Anyway - anything left for long in the more tourist infested spots in the NF tends to be removed/damaged relatively quickly.
Approaching a fording point on a small forest stream less than five minutes walk from the road, and minutes drive from that famous New Forest pub/camp site 'The Red Shoot', I came across this greeting.
Dingly Dell
And from this point the pictures speak for themselves. There's nothing much I can add.
(Well you try coming up with something relevant to describe this surreal situation )
Just hanging around?
Ray Mears wuz ere?
Cheaper than a Directline Insurance quote?
Who's nicked my door?
A Sunday afternoon nap after a visit to the nearby pub?
After all this I quietly withdrew leaving the local community to its own ends. I was off to explore the surrounding ridges.
Now surely nothing would top this one today........?
Half an hour later I spotted a brick building high atop a ridge. Very remote. Purpose unclear.
And finding it to be a building, rather than a water tank as I first thought, I cautiously entered
(Please note - attack dog at the ready)
Only to be met by this:
Someone's having a laugh with me today.
Top that one walking magazines/forums. Surely worth a cheeky post on Outdoors Magic?
(I've deliberately avoided posting any of the precise locations. If you want to know better drop me an e-mail)Labels: Ibsley Common, New Forest, walks
All site material © John Hee - ask before you snatch
Parking near the Red Shoot Pub (GR 188 094) I followed the tarmac road north and quickly came to the edge of the common land. Only the one stile to cross over and I'd be on open land. A pity then that the noveau rich of this area, in an effort, I assume, to deter tourists from the nearby Red Shoot campsite, had chosen to make the stile and surrounding fence stock proof by copious amount of chicken wire. Not even a rabbit could have got pass this obstruction. Cursing profusely at the narrow mindedness of the individual concerned my day started by carrying two medium sized collies over the stile whilst ensuring my footing remained firm, and the dogs unafraid at their aerial trip.
On past the electric fencing, the way ahead clearly laid out in case the pedestrian may inadvertently wander slack jawed into the paddocks alongside. Stalag IX couldn't have wished for better protection from stragglers. A pity the fields were totally empty of any stock.
Up the hill and onto the ridge and my first checkpoint - a brightly painted trig point.
Trig point @ GR 175103The wide track along the ridge was familiar ground leading to the DF Site explored on a previous trip, but a chance this time to look over the bunker position a few hundred metres to the south of it. .
DF siteRubble strewn in the entrance, and recollected warning about an possible adder nest meant a quick look was enough for today.
The Old BunkerThe wind gusting from the NW meant the weak sun had its work cut to keep me warm, so picking up the pace I continued to follow the ridge track onwards to Hasley Hill Inclosure off in the distance.
Hasley HillThe sight of an occasional buzzard, testing the thermals, my only visiting company so far today.
Once at the Inclosure there was a wider track to follow, and quickly covered. A short halt was called near to the landmark known as the Little Witch. I sat surveying the heathland trying to work out my next challenge. Where was the minor track, marked on the OS map, necessary to cross the valley to Alderhill Inclosure?
The break was a good move on my part as it turned out. I spotted a string of walkers at my proposed destination, moving in my general direction. By the time I was ready to move on they had appeared close by, marking the path I should follow, until then hidden by the rise of the hill on which I sat.
Muddy work now with a couple of streams to ford, and the ubiquitous yellow clay, local to the area, underfoot at times. A slippery surface at the best of times, but worse when descending the slope.
Up onto Hampton Ridge (GR 183135) a wide well surfaced track, possibly a legacy from the wartime activity in the area. Moving quickly now, in the distance the clouds now gathering dark and ominous. The wind, previously gusty, now starting to pick up strength as the temperature dropped.
Rain was on the way, and my waterproofs safely stored away - in my car a couple of hours away. Well it had been such a pleasant day I'd opted for the Montane windshirt -a good move so far, but not a garment I'd ever trust as waterproof when caught on a ridge in a strong wind driven downpour.
(Tumulus/Sub Pen S of Pitts Wood GR201 142)
With one eye on the clouds I rapidly by-passed the Tumulus to my right (the lump in the middle behind the pond - possbly a WWII submarine pen mock up) With threatening clouds now was not the time to tarry and explore, although judging by the number of tracks around the foor of the mound there was plenty to look over at some future time.
Labels: Ibsley Common, New Forest, walks
Ibsley Common - World War II and the New Forest
After further feedback (thanks Jon) and some initial research of my own there's more information slowly appearing about goings on in this area, and the remnants left behind.
Its quite an amazing turn of events really. The initial post thread started out casually questioning a small ruin standing alone on a New Forest ridge. And since has been regularly unearthing a rich seam of recent military and social history.
Firstly some more pictures and location detail of various military remains in the area, tying in with the military airfield RAF Ibsley.
Next a very detailed piece from 1995 (Norman Parker's 'Wartime Secrets of the Forest') indicating the sheer size of the military area and the high level of secrecy surrounding it.
And then there's even a film tie-in with original WWII bomb testing footage from the range appearing in the 1969 film "Mosquito Squadron" showing the original Highball bomb drop . With some pictures and schematic of the bomb here.
To quote Wartime Secrets (which the local library is now trying to source for me)
"As the war drew to its close, Grand Slams (bombs) rained down on the previously impenetrable reinforced targets of Europe, destroying them one by one."
And let's not get started on the bronze age barrows in the same area.
Phew. Lots to gaze over whilst the imagination soars as next time I wander across what once appeared as a simple New Forest heathland, open to the sky.
Is that the far off drone of long vanished bombers from high overhead?Labels: Ibsley Common, New Forest, walks
Friday, November 30
Warfare near the New Forest Fairy Glen - More
Jon has provided further details of the ex World War II buildings, with information which starts to put some real meat on the bones of the history around this area.
So with due acknowledgement to the source site for this http://www.geocaching.com/s here's the relevant article:
"This virtual cache is situated on Ibsley Common in the New Forest, north of Ringwood.
The cache site is the remains of a WWII Radio Direction Finding Station or D/F Station. D/F usually consisted of three stations working on the same frequency. A pilot, who was lost or uncertain of his position, would transmit on a frequency asking for a ‘fix’. The three stations receiving the signal could then use the three different bearings to give the position. All that can be seen at the site now is the blast wall. This wall protected the D/F building from any bombs dropping. Fortunately, the only bomb dropped nearby fell two to three hundred yards away.
The D/F building was about 24 feet in height and was made out of wood and felt (so it would not interfere with reception). When inside the blast wall look for the bolts that used to anchor the building down. Set around the building, at the points of the compass, are small concrete blocks in amongst the heather. Off to the east, about 50 yards is the remains of the WAAF accommodation block.
The air raid shelter is home to a family of adders – BE WARNED"
And there's some further detail on another WWII feature:
"During the Second World War this area was the Ashley Walk Bombing Range.
The RAF brought back evidence that the Germans were building vast structures of reinforced concrete to house their submarines. This knowledge led to a massive reinforced concrete raft, 6ft thick, 79ft by 70ft being built of high quality concrete, for the purpose of testing. It is supported on five equidistant walls 6ft high on a foundation 20 inches thick. In 1942 this cost £250,000!
During the clear up of the area, after the war, this structure proved to be indestructible and so had to be buried. Today it is marked as a Tumulus on an OS map.
As you walk to the top of the ‘Pens’ you will be able to see some of the reinforced concrete. When at the top look around and you will see many small depressions, these are the remains of bomb craters. To the NW (about 100 metres) there is a larger crater. This is where the only ‘Grand Slam’ bomb (22000lb) was dropped on test and exploded. It created a crater 100ft in diameter and 70ft in depth.
Today it is marked by a large growth of reeds in a slight depression"
(Source reference)
Both were posted by the same individual Coordin8z and hopefully there's more to come.
Personally this sort of information really brings the past to life for me, and gives a real focus when planning walks in this area. And lets face it at this time of year we need all the impetus we can find to get out there for more than the short burst walk around regularly visit spots.
Thanks again Jon for tracking this down, and giving me the poke to get out for further exploration. Labels: Ibsley Common, New Forest, walks
Wednesday, November 21
Warfare near the New Forest Fairy Glen
A postive spin off from this blogging lark has been making contact with like minded folk. Particularly in my own area.
Now I know for your folk oop north that may sound a strange claim. But here in the deep (and mainly flat) southern lands fellow backpacking/wildcamping adherents remain well hidden.
I'd met up with Jon earlier this year, and since then we've irregularly exchange tips and trip ideas. With Jon being an active member of the Dorset branch of the Backpacker's Club he not only helps keep me informed as to their trips, but keeps tempting me to get more actively involved myself (Which I really must sort out in 2008)
Jon, like myself, is always on the look out for new route ideas locally. So my post on the Fairy Glen recently flushed him out of hiding for his own exploration. And a much more detailed job he's made of it.
Jon's kindly agreed to me posting details after he arrived at the WWII (we think) building
So in Jon's own words :
"I imagine this is an observation post, it has a really good view down the valley. I was at the bottom of the valley later, and it was quite prominent on the skyline.
More interestingly, I had spotted some bricks on the other side of the path, and thought it might make a good spot for lunch. when I got there I found this (this is looking back towards the other building)
There were lots of bricks blocking the stairs....
At this point I found that my head torch batteries were flat, but I did stick the camera round the corner:
A bit further on there were some wire ropes and a brick base which could have been a mast?"
Jon continues with some further information about the submarine pen & some crosses, possibly targets for the bombing range.
As I said on the original post, this area is screaming out for repeated visits. Its a wide open expanse of mostly ridge walking. Which thinking about it is exactly the sort of walk that I enjoy the most. And in the teeming rain around here currently its probably the driest spot around, the forest heathland taking on the consistency of sticky bog once off the regular tracks. But before I do that I think a bit of detective work on the net and at the local library is required, as this area looks rich in exWD buildings and may well have many more long overlooked treasures to reveal.
Thanks Jon - at last a reason to get more into this particular area, despite the 30 mile round trip. And a decent pub for carb/liquid take-on along the trip if I time it right. Result!
(Again no grid refs - you'll need to contact me, or work it out for yourselves)Labels: Ibsley Common, New Forest, walks
Sunday, November 11
New Forest: Fairy Glen and Thought for the Day
After last week's mention about Fairy Folk, and following some further detective work, my trip out today felt a little like a scene from The X-Files to be honest. The Aim: to Seek The Truth (We Are Not Alone?)
Frankly the tale sounded a little far fetched to me. Fairies at the bottom of the garden! Pah - we all have some of those at the bottom of our garden/window box etc. Surely.
Err. Yes. Ok. Keep taking the pills. Those little yellow ones that work so well.
Anyway - anything left for long in the more tourist infested spots in the NF tends to be removed/damaged relatively quickly.
Approaching a fording point on a small forest stream less than five minutes walk from the road, and minutes drive from that famous New Forest pub/camp site 'The Red Shoot', I came across this greeting.
Dingly Dell
And from this point the pictures speak for themselves. There's nothing much I can add.
(Well you try coming up with something relevant to describe this surreal situation )
Just hanging around?
Ray Mears wuz ere?
Cheaper than a Directline Insurance quote?
Who's nicked my door?
A Sunday afternoon nap after a visit to the nearby pub?
After all this I quietly withdrew leaving the local community to its own ends. I was off to explore the surrounding ridges.
Now surely nothing would top this one today........?
Half an hour later I spotted a brick building high atop a ridge. Very remote. Purpose unclear.
And finding it to be a building, rather than a water tank as I first thought, I cautiously entered
(Please note - attack dog at the ready)
Only to be met by this:
Someone's having a laugh with me today.
Top that one walking magazines/forums. Surely worth a cheeky post on Outdoors Magic?
(I've deliberately avoided posting any of the precise locations. If you want to know better drop me an e-mail)Labels: Ibsley Common, New Forest, walks
All site material © John Hee - ask before you snatch
Its quite an amazing turn of events really. The initial post thread started out casually questioning a small ruin standing alone on a New Forest ridge. And since has been regularly unearthing a rich seam of recent military and social history.
Firstly some more pictures and location detail of various military remains in the area, tying in with the military airfield RAF Ibsley.
Next a very detailed piece from 1995 (Norman Parker's 'Wartime Secrets of the Forest') indicating the sheer size of the military area and the high level of secrecy surrounding it.
And then there's even a film tie-in with original WWII bomb testing footage from the range appearing in the 1969 film "Mosquito Squadron" showing the original Highball bomb drop . With some pictures and schematic of the bomb here.
To quote Wartime Secrets (which the local library is now trying to source for me)
"As the war drew to its close, Grand Slams (bombs) rained down on the previously impenetrable reinforced targets of Europe, destroying them one by one."
And let's not get started on the bronze age barrows in the same area.
Phew. Lots to gaze over whilst the imagination soars as next time I wander across what once appeared as a simple New Forest heathland, open to the sky.
Is that the far off drone of long vanished bombers from high overhead?
Labels: Ibsley Common, New Forest, walks
Warfare near the New Forest Fairy Glen - More
Jon has provided further details of the ex World War II buildings, with information which starts to put some real meat on the bones of the history around this area.
So with due acknowledgement to the source site for this http://www.geocaching.com/s here's the relevant article:
"This virtual cache is situated on Ibsley Common in the New Forest, north of Ringwood.
The cache site is the remains of a WWII Radio Direction Finding Station or D/F Station. D/F usually consisted of three stations working on the same frequency. A pilot, who was lost or uncertain of his position, would transmit on a frequency asking for a ‘fix’. The three stations receiving the signal could then use the three different bearings to give the position. All that can be seen at the site now is the blast wall. This wall protected the D/F building from any bombs dropping. Fortunately, the only bomb dropped nearby fell two to three hundred yards away.
The D/F building was about 24 feet in height and was made out of wood and felt (so it would not interfere with reception). When inside the blast wall look for the bolts that used to anchor the building down. Set around the building, at the points of the compass, are small concrete blocks in amongst the heather. Off to the east, about 50 yards is the remains of the WAAF accommodation block.
The air raid shelter is home to a family of adders – BE WARNED"
And there's some further detail on another WWII feature:
"During the Second World War this area was the Ashley Walk Bombing Range.
The RAF brought back evidence that the Germans were building vast structures of reinforced concrete to house their submarines. This knowledge led to a massive reinforced concrete raft, 6ft thick, 79ft by 70ft being built of high quality concrete, for the purpose of testing. It is supported on five equidistant walls 6ft high on a foundation 20 inches thick. In 1942 this cost £250,000!
During the clear up of the area, after the war, this structure proved to be indestructible and so had to be buried. Today it is marked as a Tumulus on an OS map.
As you walk to the top of the ‘Pens’ you will be able to see some of the reinforced concrete. When at the top look around and you will see many small depressions, these are the remains of bomb craters. To the NW (about 100 metres) there is a larger crater. This is where the only ‘Grand Slam’ bomb (22000lb) was dropped on test and exploded. It created a crater 100ft in diameter and 70ft in depth.
Today it is marked by a large growth of reeds in a slight depression"
(Source reference)
Both were posted by the same individual Coordin8z and hopefully there's more to come.
Personally this sort of information really brings the past to life for me, and gives a real focus when planning walks in this area. And lets face it at this time of year we need all the impetus we can find to get out there for more than the short burst walk around regularly visit spots.
Thanks again Jon for tracking this down, and giving me the poke to get out for further exploration. Labels: Ibsley Common, New Forest, walks
Wednesday, November 21
Warfare near the New Forest Fairy Glen
A postive spin off from this blogging lark has been making contact with like minded folk. Particularly in my own area.
Now I know for your folk oop north that may sound a strange claim. But here in the deep (and mainly flat) southern lands fellow backpacking/wildcamping adherents remain well hidden.
I'd met up with Jon earlier this year, and since then we've irregularly exchange tips and trip ideas. With Jon being an active member of the Dorset branch of the Backpacker's Club he not only helps keep me informed as to their trips, but keeps tempting me to get more actively involved myself (Which I really must sort out in 2008)
Jon, like myself, is always on the look out for new route ideas locally. So my post on the Fairy Glen recently flushed him out of hiding for his own exploration. And a much more detailed job he's made of it.
Jon's kindly agreed to me posting details after he arrived at the WWII (we think) building
So in Jon's own words :
"I imagine this is an observation post, it has a really good view down the valley. I was at the bottom of the valley later, and it was quite prominent on the skyline.
More interestingly, I had spotted some bricks on the other side of the path, and thought it might make a good spot for lunch. when I got there I found this (this is looking back towards the other building)
There were lots of bricks blocking the stairs....
At this point I found that my head torch batteries were flat, but I did stick the camera round the corner:
A bit further on there were some wire ropes and a brick base which could have been a mast?"
Jon continues with some further information about the submarine pen & some crosses, possibly targets for the bombing range.
As I said on the original post, this area is screaming out for repeated visits. Its a wide open expanse of mostly ridge walking. Which thinking about it is exactly the sort of walk that I enjoy the most. And in the teeming rain around here currently its probably the driest spot around, the forest heathland taking on the consistency of sticky bog once off the regular tracks. But before I do that I think a bit of detective work on the net and at the local library is required, as this area looks rich in exWD buildings and may well have many more long overlooked treasures to reveal.
Thanks Jon - at last a reason to get more into this particular area, despite the 30 mile round trip. And a decent pub for carb/liquid take-on along the trip if I time it right. Result!
(Again no grid refs - you'll need to contact me, or work it out for yourselves)Labels: Ibsley Common, New Forest, walks
Sunday, November 11
New Forest: Fairy Glen and Thought for the Day
After last week's mention about Fairy Folk, and following some further detective work, my trip out today felt a little like a scene from The X-Files to be honest. The Aim: to Seek The Truth (We Are Not Alone?)
Frankly the tale sounded a little far fetched to me. Fairies at the bottom of the garden! Pah - we all have some of those at the bottom of our garden/window box etc. Surely.
Err. Yes. Ok. Keep taking the pills. Those little yellow ones that work so well.
Anyway - anything left for long in the more tourist infested spots in the NF tends to be removed/damaged relatively quickly.
Approaching a fording point on a small forest stream less than five minutes walk from the road, and minutes drive from that famous New Forest pub/camp site 'The Red Shoot', I came across this greeting.
Dingly Dell
And from this point the pictures speak for themselves. There's nothing much I can add.
(Well you try coming up with something relevant to describe this surreal situation )
Just hanging around?
Ray Mears wuz ere?
Cheaper than a Directline Insurance quote?
Who's nicked my door?
A Sunday afternoon nap after a visit to the nearby pub?
After all this I quietly withdrew leaving the local community to its own ends. I was off to explore the surrounding ridges.
Now surely nothing would top this one today........?
Half an hour later I spotted a brick building high atop a ridge. Very remote. Purpose unclear.
And finding it to be a building, rather than a water tank as I first thought, I cautiously entered
(Please note - attack dog at the ready)
Only to be met by this:
Someone's having a laugh with me today.
Top that one walking magazines/forums. Surely worth a cheeky post on Outdoors Magic?
(I've deliberately avoided posting any of the precise locations. If you want to know better drop me an e-mail)Labels: Ibsley Common, New Forest, walks
All site material © John Hee - ask before you snatch
So with due acknowledgement to the source site for this http://www.geocaching.com/s here's the relevant article:
"This virtual cache is situated on Ibsley Common in the New Forest, north of Ringwood.
The cache site is the remains of a WWII Radio Direction Finding Station or D/F Station. D/F usually consisted of three stations working on the same frequency. A pilot, who was lost or uncertain of his position, would transmit on a frequency asking for a ‘fix’. The three stations receiving the signal could then use the three different bearings to give the position. All that can be seen at the site now is the blast wall. This wall protected the D/F building from any bombs dropping. Fortunately, the only bomb dropped nearby fell two to three hundred yards away.
The D/F building was about 24 feet in height and was made out of wood and felt (so it would not interfere with reception). When inside the blast wall look for the bolts that used to anchor the building down. Set around the building, at the points of the compass, are small concrete blocks in amongst the heather. Off to the east, about 50 yards is the remains of the WAAF accommodation block.
The air raid shelter is home to a family of adders – BE WARNED"
And there's some further detail on another WWII feature:
"During the Second World War this area was the Ashley Walk Bombing Range.
The RAF brought back evidence that the Germans were building vast structures of reinforced concrete to house their submarines. This knowledge led to a massive reinforced concrete raft, 6ft thick, 79ft by 70ft being built of high quality concrete, for the purpose of testing. It is supported on five equidistant walls 6ft high on a foundation 20 inches thick. In 1942 this cost £250,000!
During the clear up of the area, after the war, this structure proved to be indestructible and so had to be buried. Today it is marked as a Tumulus on an OS map.
As you walk to the top of the ‘Pens’ you will be able to see some of the reinforced concrete. When at the top look around and you will see many small depressions, these are the remains of bomb craters. To the NW (about 100 metres) there is a larger crater. This is where the only ‘Grand Slam’ bomb (22000lb) was dropped on test and exploded. It created a crater 100ft in diameter and 70ft in depth.
Today it is marked by a large growth of reeds in a slight depression"
(Source reference)
Both were posted by the same individual Coordin8z and hopefully there's more to come.
Personally this sort of information really brings the past to life for me, and gives a real focus when planning walks in this area. And lets face it at this time of year we need all the impetus we can find to get out there for more than the short burst walk around regularly visit spots.
Thanks again Jon for tracking this down, and giving me the poke to get out for further exploration.
Labels: Ibsley Common, New Forest, walks
Warfare near the New Forest Fairy Glen
A postive spin off from this blogging lark has been making contact with like minded folk. Particularly in my own area.
Now I know for your folk oop north that may sound a strange claim. But here in the deep (and mainly flat) southern lands fellow backpacking/wildcamping adherents remain well hidden.
I'd met up with Jon earlier this year, and since then we've irregularly exchange tips and trip ideas. With Jon being an active member of the Dorset branch of the Backpacker's Club he not only helps keep me informed as to their trips, but keeps tempting me to get more actively involved myself (Which I really must sort out in 2008)
Jon, like myself, is always on the look out for new route ideas locally. So my post on the Fairy Glen recently flushed him out of hiding for his own exploration. And a much more detailed job he's made of it.
Jon's kindly agreed to me posting details after he arrived at the WWII (we think) building
So in Jon's own words :
"I imagine this is an observation post, it has a really good view down the valley. I was at the bottom of the valley later, and it was quite prominent on the skyline.
More interestingly, I had spotted some bricks on the other side of the path, and thought it might make a good spot for lunch. when I got there I found this (this is looking back towards the other building)
There were lots of bricks blocking the stairs....
At this point I found that my head torch batteries were flat, but I did stick the camera round the corner:
A bit further on there were some wire ropes and a brick base which could have been a mast?"
Jon continues with some further information about the submarine pen & some crosses, possibly targets for the bombing range.
As I said on the original post, this area is screaming out for repeated visits. Its a wide open expanse of mostly ridge walking. Which thinking about it is exactly the sort of walk that I enjoy the most. And in the teeming rain around here currently its probably the driest spot around, the forest heathland taking on the consistency of sticky bog once off the regular tracks. But before I do that I think a bit of detective work on the net and at the local library is required, as this area looks rich in exWD buildings and may well have many more long overlooked treasures to reveal.
Thanks Jon - at last a reason to get more into this particular area, despite the 30 mile round trip. And a decent pub for carb/liquid take-on along the trip if I time it right. Result!
(Again no grid refs - you'll need to contact me, or work it out for yourselves)Labels: Ibsley Common, New Forest, walks
Sunday, November 11
New Forest: Fairy Glen and Thought for the Day
After last week's mention about Fairy Folk, and following some further detective work, my trip out today felt a little like a scene from The X-Files to be honest. The Aim: to Seek The Truth (We Are Not Alone?)
Frankly the tale sounded a little far fetched to me. Fairies at the bottom of the garden! Pah - we all have some of those at the bottom of our garden/window box etc. Surely.
Err. Yes. Ok. Keep taking the pills. Those little yellow ones that work so well.
Anyway - anything left for long in the more tourist infested spots in the NF tends to be removed/damaged relatively quickly.
Approaching a fording point on a small forest stream less than five minutes walk from the road, and minutes drive from that famous New Forest pub/camp site 'The Red Shoot', I came across this greeting.
Dingly Dell
And from this point the pictures speak for themselves. There's nothing much I can add.
(Well you try coming up with something relevant to describe this surreal situation )
Just hanging around?
Ray Mears wuz ere?
Cheaper than a Directline Insurance quote?
Who's nicked my door?
A Sunday afternoon nap after a visit to the nearby pub?
After all this I quietly withdrew leaving the local community to its own ends. I was off to explore the surrounding ridges.
Now surely nothing would top this one today........?
Half an hour later I spotted a brick building high atop a ridge. Very remote. Purpose unclear.
And finding it to be a building, rather than a water tank as I first thought, I cautiously entered
(Please note - attack dog at the ready)
Only to be met by this:
Someone's having a laugh with me today.
Top that one walking magazines/forums. Surely worth a cheeky post on Outdoors Magic?
(I've deliberately avoided posting any of the precise locations. If you want to know better drop me an e-mail)Labels: Ibsley Common, New Forest, walks
All site material © John Hee - ask before you snatch
Now I know for your folk oop north that may sound a strange claim. But here in the deep (and mainly flat) southern lands fellow backpacking/wildcamping adherents remain well hidden.
I'd met up with Jon earlier this year, and since then we've irregularly exchange tips and trip ideas. With Jon being an active member of the Dorset branch of the Backpacker's Club he not only helps keep me informed as to their trips, but keeps tempting me to get more actively involved myself (Which I really must sort out in 2008)
Jon, like myself, is always on the look out for new route ideas locally. So my post on the Fairy Glen recently flushed him out of hiding for his own exploration. And a much more detailed job he's made of it.
Jon's kindly agreed to me posting details after he arrived at the WWII (we think) building
So in Jon's own words :
"I imagine this is an observation post, it has a really good view down the valley. I was at the bottom of the valley later, and it was quite prominent on the skyline.
More interestingly, I had spotted some bricks on the other side of the path, and thought it might make a good spot for lunch. when I got there I found this (this is looking back towards the other building)
There were lots of bricks blocking the stairs....
At this point I found that my head torch batteries were flat, but I did stick the camera round the corner:
A bit further on there were some wire ropes and a brick base which could have been a mast?"
Jon continues with some further information about the submarine pen & some crosses, possibly targets for the bombing range.
As I said on the original post, this area is screaming out for repeated visits. Its a wide open expanse of mostly ridge walking. Which thinking about it is exactly the sort of walk that I enjoy the most. And in the teeming rain around here currently its probably the driest spot around, the forest heathland taking on the consistency of sticky bog once off the regular tracks. But before I do that I think a bit of detective work on the net and at the local library is required, as this area looks rich in exWD buildings and may well have many more long overlooked treasures to reveal.
Thanks Jon - at last a reason to get more into this particular area, despite the 30 mile round trip. And a decent pub for carb/liquid take-on along the trip if I time it right. Result!
(Again no grid refs - you'll need to contact me, or work it out for yourselves)
Labels: Ibsley Common, New Forest, walks
New Forest: Fairy Glen and Thought for the Day
After last week's mention about Fairy Folk, and following some further detective work, my trip out today felt a little like a scene from The X-Files to be honest. The Aim: to Seek The Truth (We Are Not Alone?)
Frankly the tale sounded a little far fetched to me. Fairies at the bottom of the garden! Pah - we all have some of those at the bottom of our garden/window box etc. Surely.
Err. Yes. Ok. Keep taking the pills. Those little yellow ones that work so well.
Anyway - anything left for long in the more tourist infested spots in the NF tends to be removed/damaged relatively quickly.
Approaching a fording point on a small forest stream less than five minutes walk from the road, and minutes drive from that famous New Forest pub/camp site 'The Red Shoot', I came across this greeting.
Dingly Dell
And from this point the pictures speak for themselves. There's nothing much I can add.
(Well you try coming up with something relevant to describe this surreal situation )
Just hanging around?
Ray Mears wuz ere?
Cheaper than a Directline Insurance quote?
Who's nicked my door?
A Sunday afternoon nap after a visit to the nearby pub?
After all this I quietly withdrew leaving the local community to its own ends. I was off to explore the surrounding ridges.
Now surely nothing would top this one today........?
Half an hour later I spotted a brick building high atop a ridge. Very remote. Purpose unclear.
And finding it to be a building, rather than a water tank as I first thought, I cautiously entered
(Please note - attack dog at the ready)
Only to be met by this:
Someone's having a laugh with me today.
Top that one walking magazines/forums. Surely worth a cheeky post on Outdoors Magic?
(I've deliberately avoided posting any of the precise locations. If you want to know better drop me an e-mail)Labels: Ibsley Common, New Forest, walks
After last week's mention about Fairy Folk, and following some further detective work, my trip out today felt a little like a scene from The X-Files to be honest. The Aim: to Seek The Truth (We Are Not Alone?)
Frankly the tale sounded a little far fetched to me. Fairies at the bottom of the garden! Pah - we all have some of those at the bottom of our garden/window box etc. Surely.
Err. Yes. Ok. Keep taking the pills. Those little yellow ones that work so well.
Anyway - anything left for long in the more tourist infested spots in the NF tends to be removed/damaged relatively quickly.
Approaching a fording point on a small forest stream less than five minutes walk from the road, and minutes drive from that famous New Forest pub/camp site 'The Red Shoot', I came across this greeting.
Dingly DellAnd from this point the pictures speak for themselves. There's nothing much I can add.
(Well you try coming up with something relevant to describe this surreal situation )
Just hanging around?
Ray Mears wuz ere?
Cheaper than a Directline Insurance quote?
Who's nicked my door?
A Sunday afternoon nap after a visit to the nearby pub?After all this I quietly withdrew leaving the local community to its own ends. I was off to explore the surrounding ridges.
Now surely nothing would top this one today........?
Half an hour later I spotted a brick building high atop a ridge. Very remote. Purpose unclear.
And finding it to be a building, rather than a water tank as I first thought, I cautiously entered
(Please note - attack dog at the ready)
Only to be met by this:
Someone's having a laugh with me today.
Top that one walking magazines/forums. Surely worth a cheeky post on Outdoors Magic?
(I've deliberately avoided posting any of the precise locations. If you want to know better drop me an e-mail)
Labels: Ibsley Common, New Forest, walks
All site material © John Hee - ask before you snatch
