What a wonderful autumn we’ve had so far – a bit wet in places – but then there are days like these, the first frosts on the New Forest. Frost, with sunshine and mist – perfection. 

Staying local, Harry and I head to Linford and take an extended walk around the top of Pinnick Wood.

We set off up along Linford Brook…

…and into Pinnick Wood. A wood of ancient oaks, hollies and beeches.

Taking a direct line along through the edge of the wood, we emerge in Akercome Bottom and look up the edge of the wood itself. The colours are soft pastels as the frosted earth and trees catch the early morning sun.

The pond at Akercome Bottom reflects the perfect blue of the sky.

As we follow the track along the edge of the wood, the heating sun causes a light mist to form and the suns rays shine through it.

A low spreading oak with the rising sun behind. The bracken in front is thick with frost.

There is a stand of very tall birch trees at the head of the wood and they’re in full autumnal livery now. The white and yellow are set off against the bracken and the sky.

A look back as we skirt the top of the wood, a couple of trees present striking silhouettes against a weirdly stripy sky.

A little further round, Handy Cross Plain seen past those lovely yellow birches. I’d love to know where that name comes from. Anybody know?

A little group of New Forest Ponies approach Pinnick Wood on the path from Lazy Bushes.

They stop dead when they see us. What are you doing up here?

This little black mare is very pretty.

From the path we take back into Pinnick Wood, we can now see the next valley – Buckherd Bottom. Now, given the common presence of Fallow and Roe deer in the area, the male of which is known as a buck, that name makes sense.

The brightness beyond the wood.

We’ve walked back down through Pinnick Wood and emerge into Greenford. Here the Linford Brook slips quietly under the trees.

Mucky Harry – on the edge of Greenford Pond.

Looking across Greenford Pond, this had dried up completely over the long, hot summer and the grass that grew in its place is visible in the shallows. Now it is back in all its glory.

From the other side of the pond, the autumnal colours are reflected in the perfectly calm surface. Bliss.

The footbridge over the Linford Brook is wearing a frosty mantle, watch your step!

Edged in sunlight, a New Forest Pony grazes in the warmth of the new day.

One of my favourite spots, the leaning oaks.

This light affords the prettiest views at every turn.

Nearly back to the car now, the sun is higher in the sky and this pretty view across the Linford Brook to one of the gates into the Great Linford Inclosure is enhanced by the colour in the trees.

Blackberry leaves, turning to their reddish, purple autumn colour, are edged with light frost.

A tiny group of fungi surviving the cooler temperatures.

You just cannot beat mornings like this.