We had arranged to meet up with friends at the little seaside town of Weymouth but as it was still the holidays, decided that we would take the ‘scenic route’. Now that actually means going way out of our way but I wanted to drive through the New Forest. It had been my old stomping ground for my later teen / early 20s so has a special place in my heart.
One of the forest’s attractions are the horses that roam around. At certain times of the year they can be joined by pigs scavenging for acorns. The animals have right of way AT ALL TIMES and rightly so.
Our trip took us through Salisbury with it’s wonderful spire. Unfortunately my photography skills on an iphone in a moving car were such that even I cannot show you a picture here!
We then travelled though the forest and were met with brilliant colours despite it being nearly the end of the year. The New Forest is very much more a commercial concern now than when I was a youngster but it’s beauty cannot be tamed or organised.
Next place of interest was Lyndhurst which was bustling with post Christmas shoppers.
Then onto our ‘stopping for a cuppa’ place – Lymington. Another bustling high street but this town has a harbour with an indication that there is still money around. The narrow cobble street to get to the water was vibrant with colour and sound as shopkeepers tried to entice people in through their doors. One useful temptation was the heat inside compared to the cold outside!
Our final stop was Weymouth. I have written about this bucket and spade place many times. It is a great favourite of ours and we always like to visit before the old year disappears. It was dark by the time we got there but the harbour offered a welcome with it’s lights and visitors
So, as you can see our ‘long way round’ was worth the petrol!
Julia's Place 