Monday, July 5
New Forest Drought
The BBC weatherman on yesterday evening's forecast muttered something about a record dry start to the year. Well it definitely wasn't feeling like that earlier this year.
But this picture taken during my New Forest walk yesterday underlines the present conditions.
Only the second time I've ever seen this water hole as dry as this is twenty years.
Somehow I don't think I'll have the same problem finding my water supply on Dartmoor though.
[Edit: "The first six months of this year were the driest across the UK since 1929 according to the latest Met Office figures" - The Times 5/7/10]
Labels: nature; New Forest
Friday, April 2
Burbush Waterfall - New Forest
I love the extremes that Mother Nature can throw our way from time to time.
Conditions of heavy snowfall, strong wind or exceptional rainfall - these tend to bring me a primal enjoyment rising from somewhere deep down in my psyche.
Locally this morning's downpour was of such ferocity that it left flooded country lanes. The kerbside irrigation ditches abandoning their task with the futility of trying to handle such a prolonged and heavy deluge.
Gazing through the window, heels kicking at Bank Holiday ennui, I decided to lace up my walking boots and head off into the New Forest.
I've written about Burbush waterfall many times in the past. So today I decided to offer a close-up view of this temporary natural phenomena, especially its source.
By chance, earlier weather conditions in mind, today's visit revealed it in the best condition I've seen to date.
Happily the rain had stopped giving way instead to blue sky & sunshine. However, as you will hear if you watch the clip) the wind was still being rather too familiar.
Burbush Waterfall
Despite wandering along familiar paths today's outing felt like a visit to a different landscape as the terrain handled its shedding of the rain's aftermath.
Normally dry ditches were now small streams. And the streams gushing torrents of seething dark liquid. Their levels three feet higher than usual. In places breaking their banks to flood the surrounding land for some distance.
Despite today's declared holiday, and the traditional start of the tourist season hereabouts, the car park was largely empty. Most brave souls I encountered as I wandered were welly clad - or in a couple of cases ill advisedly trying to cope with trainers in a futile defence of dry feet.
(Small wonder I tend to stick to walking boots year round raised amongst these conditions)
But for all of those willing to seek out time with nature today the reward was a wonderland of altered perspectives for a short while.
Hope there was something decent on the TV for those lurking indoors cursing the Bank Holiday weather. A pity you missed the best show on offer. Labels: nature; New Forest
Monday, March 8
No smoke without fire
An all too rare break today, accompanied by an all too rarer day of blue sky & sunshine. So a time for some R&R to play in the forest.
Nothing exceptional to note, save on my return trip I came across the scene off further Controlled Burning.
And with it a host of control vehicles, fire trucks and brush beaters
Labels: nature; New Forest
Sunday, January 17
Taking the air & looking ahead
It was the persistent drip hanging from the end of my nose that settled the argument.
Or rather it's lack.
During last Saturday's walk amongst snow littered surroundings on ice hardened ground the bitterly cold air drawn into my body resulted in a slightly runny nose. And, it seemed, my own personal icicle.
This Saturday, with rising temperature but a steady & persistent rain - again that unseemly drip. This time the cause being of a more external nature as a rain spattered face and the laws of gravity meant each downward glance was rewarded with a trickle of rainwater cascading off my nasal prominence.
At least it was warmer this time!
But today - nothing.
Glorious sunshine. Temperature surely into double figures. The New Forest ground less muddier than expected, save for those places where horse riders, off their usual routes these last few weeks, had typically chewed up the surface into boggy mush.
A few months ago today's temperature would have had me layered up & chin hunkered down deep into my neck scarf to avoid the chill. But after the last few weeks of sub zero offerings this weather is positively balmy.
Which all goes to show the adaptability of the human body. Or perhaps the influence of the human brain as it comes to terms with the physical surroundings, and decides a positive spin is in order.
Spring is on the way. Always a dangerous announcement to make with the delinquent offspring of February & March yet to strike, But with each day's period of light becoming steadily longer, Nature is already gearing up for its annual renewal.
New Forest ponies are dropping the occasional early foal. The garden Robin has become increasingly territorial in preparation for courtship & nest construction.
And for myself?
I'm already considering my first backpacking week somewhere suitably remote & wild. A trip that is long overdue, and well deserved. A promise to rebalance the treadmill that I call My Life. But which at times feels more like the antics of a anarchic puppet, with others tugging on each string.
Roll on the better weather.Labels: nature; New Forest
All site material © John Hee - ask before you snatch
But this picture taken during my New Forest walk yesterday underlines the present conditions.
Only the second time I've ever seen this water hole as dry as this is twenty years.
Somehow I don't think I'll have the same problem finding my water supply on Dartmoor though.
[Edit: "The first six months of this year were the driest across the UK since 1929 according to the latest Met Office figures" - The Times 5/7/10]
Labels: nature; New Forest
Burbush Waterfall - New Forest
I love the extremes that Mother Nature can throw our way from time to time.
Conditions of heavy snowfall, strong wind or exceptional rainfall - these tend to bring me a primal enjoyment rising from somewhere deep down in my psyche.
Locally this morning's downpour was of such ferocity that it left flooded country lanes. The kerbside irrigation ditches abandoning their task with the futility of trying to handle such a prolonged and heavy deluge.
Gazing through the window, heels kicking at Bank Holiday ennui, I decided to lace up my walking boots and head off into the New Forest.
I've written about Burbush waterfall many times in the past. So today I decided to offer a close-up view of this temporary natural phenomena, especially its source.
By chance, earlier weather conditions in mind, today's visit revealed it in the best condition I've seen to date.
Happily the rain had stopped giving way instead to blue sky & sunshine. However, as you will hear if you watch the clip) the wind was still being rather too familiar.
Burbush Waterfall
Despite wandering along familiar paths today's outing felt like a visit to a different landscape as the terrain handled its shedding of the rain's aftermath.
Normally dry ditches were now small streams. And the streams gushing torrents of seething dark liquid. Their levels three feet higher than usual. In places breaking their banks to flood the surrounding land for some distance.
Despite today's declared holiday, and the traditional start of the tourist season hereabouts, the car park was largely empty. Most brave souls I encountered as I wandered were welly clad - or in a couple of cases ill advisedly trying to cope with trainers in a futile defence of dry feet.
(Small wonder I tend to stick to walking boots year round raised amongst these conditions)
But for all of those willing to seek out time with nature today the reward was a wonderland of altered perspectives for a short while.
Hope there was something decent on the TV for those lurking indoors cursing the Bank Holiday weather. A pity you missed the best show on offer. Labels: nature; New Forest
Monday, March 8
No smoke without fire
An all too rare break today, accompanied by an all too rarer day of blue sky & sunshine. So a time for some R&R to play in the forest.
Nothing exceptional to note, save on my return trip I came across the scene off further Controlled Burning.
And with it a host of control vehicles, fire trucks and brush beaters
Labels: nature; New Forest
Sunday, January 17
Taking the air & looking ahead
It was the persistent drip hanging from the end of my nose that settled the argument.
Or rather it's lack.
During last Saturday's walk amongst snow littered surroundings on ice hardened ground the bitterly cold air drawn into my body resulted in a slightly runny nose. And, it seemed, my own personal icicle.
This Saturday, with rising temperature but a steady & persistent rain - again that unseemly drip. This time the cause being of a more external nature as a rain spattered face and the laws of gravity meant each downward glance was rewarded with a trickle of rainwater cascading off my nasal prominence.
At least it was warmer this time!
But today - nothing.
Glorious sunshine. Temperature surely into double figures. The New Forest ground less muddier than expected, save for those places where horse riders, off their usual routes these last few weeks, had typically chewed up the surface into boggy mush.
A few months ago today's temperature would have had me layered up & chin hunkered down deep into my neck scarf to avoid the chill. But after the last few weeks of sub zero offerings this weather is positively balmy.
Which all goes to show the adaptability of the human body. Or perhaps the influence of the human brain as it comes to terms with the physical surroundings, and decides a positive spin is in order.
Spring is on the way. Always a dangerous announcement to make with the delinquent offspring of February & March yet to strike, But with each day's period of light becoming steadily longer, Nature is already gearing up for its annual renewal.
New Forest ponies are dropping the occasional early foal. The garden Robin has become increasingly territorial in preparation for courtship & nest construction.
And for myself?
I'm already considering my first backpacking week somewhere suitably remote & wild. A trip that is long overdue, and well deserved. A promise to rebalance the treadmill that I call My Life. But which at times feels more like the antics of a anarchic puppet, with others tugging on each string.
Roll on the better weather.Labels: nature; New Forest
All site material © John Hee - ask before you snatch
Conditions of heavy snowfall, strong wind or exceptional rainfall - these tend to bring me a primal enjoyment rising from somewhere deep down in my psyche.
Locally this morning's downpour was of such ferocity that it left flooded country lanes. The kerbside irrigation ditches abandoning their task with the futility of trying to handle such a prolonged and heavy deluge.
Gazing through the window, heels kicking at Bank Holiday ennui, I decided to lace up my walking boots and head off into the New Forest.
I've written about Burbush waterfall many times in the past. So today I decided to offer a close-up view of this temporary natural phenomena, especially its source.
By chance, earlier weather conditions in mind, today's visit revealed it in the best condition I've seen to date.
Happily the rain had stopped giving way instead to blue sky & sunshine. However, as you will hear if you watch the clip) the wind was still being rather too familiar.
Burbush Waterfall
Despite wandering along familiar paths today's outing felt like a visit to a different landscape as the terrain handled its shedding of the rain's aftermath.
Normally dry ditches were now small streams. And the streams gushing torrents of seething dark liquid. Their levels three feet higher than usual. In places breaking their banks to flood the surrounding land for some distance.
Despite today's declared holiday, and the traditional start of the tourist season hereabouts, the car park was largely empty. Most brave souls I encountered as I wandered were welly clad - or in a couple of cases ill advisedly trying to cope with trainers in a futile defence of dry feet.
(Small wonder I tend to stick to walking boots year round raised amongst these conditions)
But for all of those willing to seek out time with nature today the reward was a wonderland of altered perspectives for a short while.
Hope there was something decent on the TV for those lurking indoors cursing the Bank Holiday weather. A pity you missed the best show on offer.
Labels: nature; New Forest
No smoke without fire
An all too rare break today, accompanied by an all too rarer day of blue sky & sunshine. So a time for some R&R to play in the forest.
Nothing exceptional to note, save on my return trip I came across the scene off further Controlled Burning.
And with it a host of control vehicles, fire trucks and brush beaters
Labels: nature; New Forest
Sunday, January 17
Taking the air & looking ahead
It was the persistent drip hanging from the end of my nose that settled the argument.
Or rather it's lack.
During last Saturday's walk amongst snow littered surroundings on ice hardened ground the bitterly cold air drawn into my body resulted in a slightly runny nose. And, it seemed, my own personal icicle.
This Saturday, with rising temperature but a steady & persistent rain - again that unseemly drip. This time the cause being of a more external nature as a rain spattered face and the laws of gravity meant each downward glance was rewarded with a trickle of rainwater cascading off my nasal prominence.
At least it was warmer this time!
But today - nothing.
Glorious sunshine. Temperature surely into double figures. The New Forest ground less muddier than expected, save for those places where horse riders, off their usual routes these last few weeks, had typically chewed up the surface into boggy mush.
A few months ago today's temperature would have had me layered up & chin hunkered down deep into my neck scarf to avoid the chill. But after the last few weeks of sub zero offerings this weather is positively balmy.
Which all goes to show the adaptability of the human body. Or perhaps the influence of the human brain as it comes to terms with the physical surroundings, and decides a positive spin is in order.
Spring is on the way. Always a dangerous announcement to make with the delinquent offspring of February & March yet to strike, But with each day's period of light becoming steadily longer, Nature is already gearing up for its annual renewal.
New Forest ponies are dropping the occasional early foal. The garden Robin has become increasingly territorial in preparation for courtship & nest construction.
And for myself?
I'm already considering my first backpacking week somewhere suitably remote & wild. A trip that is long overdue, and well deserved. A promise to rebalance the treadmill that I call My Life. But which at times feels more like the antics of a anarchic puppet, with others tugging on each string.
Roll on the better weather.Labels: nature; New Forest
All site material © John Hee - ask before you snatch
Nothing exceptional to note, save on my return trip I came across the scene off further Controlled Burning.
And with it a host of control vehicles, fire trucks and brush beaters
Labels: nature; New Forest
Taking the air & looking ahead
It was the persistent drip hanging from the end of my nose that settled the argument.
Or rather it's lack.
During last Saturday's walk amongst snow littered surroundings on ice hardened ground the bitterly cold air drawn into my body resulted in a slightly runny nose. And, it seemed, my own personal icicle.
This Saturday, with rising temperature but a steady & persistent rain - again that unseemly drip. This time the cause being of a more external nature as a rain spattered face and the laws of gravity meant each downward glance was rewarded with a trickle of rainwater cascading off my nasal prominence.
At least it was warmer this time!
But today - nothing.
Glorious sunshine. Temperature surely into double figures. The New Forest ground less muddier than expected, save for those places where horse riders, off their usual routes these last few weeks, had typically chewed up the surface into boggy mush.
A few months ago today's temperature would have had me layered up & chin hunkered down deep into my neck scarf to avoid the chill. But after the last few weeks of sub zero offerings this weather is positively balmy.
Which all goes to show the adaptability of the human body. Or perhaps the influence of the human brain as it comes to terms with the physical surroundings, and decides a positive spin is in order.
Spring is on the way. Always a dangerous announcement to make with the delinquent offspring of February & March yet to strike, But with each day's period of light becoming steadily longer, Nature is already gearing up for its annual renewal.
New Forest ponies are dropping the occasional early foal. The garden Robin has become increasingly territorial in preparation for courtship & nest construction.
And for myself?
I'm already considering my first backpacking week somewhere suitably remote & wild. A trip that is long overdue, and well deserved. A promise to rebalance the treadmill that I call My Life. But which at times feels more like the antics of a anarchic puppet, with others tugging on each string.
Roll on the better weather.Labels: nature; New Forest
Or rather it's lack.
During last Saturday's walk amongst snow littered surroundings on ice hardened ground the bitterly cold air drawn into my body resulted in a slightly runny nose. And, it seemed, my own personal icicle.
This Saturday, with rising temperature but a steady & persistent rain - again that unseemly drip. This time the cause being of a more external nature as a rain spattered face and the laws of gravity meant each downward glance was rewarded with a trickle of rainwater cascading off my nasal prominence.
At least it was warmer this time!
But today - nothing.
Glorious sunshine. Temperature surely into double figures. The New Forest ground less muddier than expected, save for those places where horse riders, off their usual routes these last few weeks, had typically chewed up the surface into boggy mush.
A few months ago today's temperature would have had me layered up & chin hunkered down deep into my neck scarf to avoid the chill. But after the last few weeks of sub zero offerings this weather is positively balmy.
Which all goes to show the adaptability of the human body. Or perhaps the influence of the human brain as it comes to terms with the physical surroundings, and decides a positive spin is in order.
Spring is on the way. Always a dangerous announcement to make with the delinquent offspring of February & March yet to strike, But with each day's period of light becoming steadily longer, Nature is already gearing up for its annual renewal.
New Forest ponies are dropping the occasional early foal. The garden Robin has become increasingly territorial in preparation for courtship & nest construction.
And for myself?
I'm already considering my first backpacking week somewhere suitably remote & wild. A trip that is long overdue, and well deserved. A promise to rebalance the treadmill that I call My Life. But which at times feels more like the antics of a anarchic puppet, with others tugging on each string.
Roll on the better weather.
Labels: nature; New Forest
All site material © John Hee - ask before you snatch
