Rockford and Ibsley Autumnal Colour

Rowena New Forest 1 Comment

A morning walk on Rockford Common and over to Ibsley Common in the evening. A wonderful day of clear skies and a very strong, cool north-easterly breeze.

Setting off from the car park near Moyles Court, I skirt the hill and head up the path beside Chatley Wood. This lovely view through the trees up to the birches on the hill opens up as I walk

Setting off from the car park near Moyles Court, I skirt the hill and head up the path beside Chatley Wood. This lovely view through the trees up to the birches on the hill opens up as I walk.

Lit by the strong sunshine through the trees, Harry seems somewhat bemused by the rain of golden leaves brought on by the gusty wind

Lit by the strong sunshine through the trees, Harry seems somewhat bemused by the rain of golden leaves brought on by the gusty wind.

Now Harry is getting rather blown about too!

Now Harry is getting rather blown about too!

Trotting on up through the trees, things seem a slightly calmer now

Trotting on up through the trees, things seem a slightly calmer now.

Reaching the top of the hill, a view out under an oak tree into the old gravel pit that stretches out onto Rockford Common

Reaching the top of the hill, a view out under an oak tree into the old gravel pit that stretches out onto Rockford Common.

The oak tree itself, silhouetted against the morning sun

The oak tree itself, silhouetted against the morning sun.

A New Forest Pony foal sleeps peacefully in the warm autumn sunshine

A New Forest Pony foal sleeps peacefully in the warm autumn sunshine.

At the far end of the old gravel pit this old birch taking on it's autumn colours stands beside the path out onto Rockford Common

At the far end of the old gravel pit this old birch, taking on it’s autumn colours, stands beside the path out onto Rockford Common.

Making my way back along the edge of the ridge, I get a fine view over to Whitefield Plantation on Ibsley Common where I'll be walking later in the day

Making my way back along the edge of the ridge, I get a fine view over to Whitefield Plantation on Ibsley Common where I’ll be walking later in the day.

The ridges of the northern Forest are studded with little valleys along their sides that mean the paths on the edges can be undulating to say the least. I stop at the bottom of one for this photo up the steep path to the sunshine

The ridges of the northern Forest are studded with little valleys along their sides that mean the paths on the edges can be undulating to say the least. I stop at the bottom of one for this photo up the steep path to the sunshine.

Looking up the other way. We might not have big hills but these steep little paths can still make your legs work!

Looking up the other way. We might not have big hills, but these steep little paths can still make your legs work!.

Rob's tree starting to take on it's autumn mantle. My own name for it - my good friend Rob was once scraped off his horse when she decided to walk under it's lower branches. Ow!

Rob’s tree starting to take on it’s autumn mantle. My own name for it – my good friend Rob was once scraped off his horse when she decided to walk under it’s lower branches. Ow!

As I return to the car park, the view across the sandy remains of the quarry

As I return to the car park, the view across the sandy remains of the quarry.

My visit to Wishful's field in the evening before our walk passes these fine (but inedible) Parasol mushrooms lit red by the evening sun

My visit to Wishful’s field in the evening before our walk passes these fine (but inedible) Parasol mushrooms lit red by the evening sun.

Late now on our evening walk so few photo opportunities. Here, the fine trees in the gardens of Crossley Towers are fantastic colours

Late now on our evening walk so few photo opportunities. Here, the fine trees in the gardens of Crossley Towers are fantastic colours.

Finally, the sunsets in a completely clear sky

Finally, the sun sets in a completely clear sky.

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