New Year Walk in the New Forest

After several weeks of rain and miserable weather, suddenly on New Year's Day, the weather was bright and beautiful.  We decided that after the Christmas celebrations and all of the food and staying indoors, we needed a walk.  Edith Sitwell wrote 'Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home.'  Whilst I agree wholeheartedly, there is nothing like a winter walk to blow away the cob webs.

The New Forest looked at its most stunning, I never tire of the soft glowing winter light this time of year.  Ever since our walk the weather has reverted to dull, cloudy and mild, so by posting these pictures, I am reminding myself of that lovely day!

Sparkling clear light and very long shadows

The gorse bushes in flower

Silver birch trees

The whole area was dotted with newly made ponds of water caused by the incessant rain.  It was rather marshy in places.  We discovered some lovely funghi, some growing from the dead gorse

Yellow Brain Fungus

And some growing from felled logs

Now that the decorations are down and the feasting has ended, I am hoping for some nicer winter weather so we can go on more walks and spend some time clearing our ever messy swamp of a garden.

Happy New Year!