Autumn in the New Forest

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We travelled to the New Forest for the weekend to meet up with friends we made in India earlier this year.

On the way we visited Stonehenge, one of the world’s most famous prehistoric monuments. Erected in about 2500 BC it consists of a ring of standing stones.

We carried on to Old Sarum, the site of the earliest settlement of Salisbury.

I have vague memories of playing in the moat on family picnics nearly 60 years ago, when we lived in Salisbury for a few years.
The spire of Salisbury Cathedral can be seen in the distance.
The flint ruins are all that remain.
The royal latrines.

We carried on to the New Forest, a large area of unenclosed pasture, heath and forest. Rights of common pasture are still recognised today and ponies, donkeys and cattle are free to graze all year round.

The roaming cows reminded us of India.
Pigs are allowed to graze from September to November in order to eat the plentiful acorns, which can be poisonous to horses and cattle.
During the reign of William the Conqueror, the forest was used for hunting and there are many herds of deer.
Many types of fungi can be seen.

We enjoyed our visit to the New Forest.

Till next time,

Carol

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10 thoughts on “Autumn in the New Forest”

    • I don’t know how we do it. People are asking us when we are going on holiday next so that they can book the same weeks!

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  2. Hi Carol, lovely photos of very familiar territory ❤️ The weather looked good for you so I expect you were able to appreciate the beauty and the wildlife in the area at this time of year.
    I’ve been reading all about Eleanor of Aquitaine and her many years of imprisonment in Salisbury Castle by her not very nice husband Henry II.
    The pigs are released every year around mid -September and it is called Pannage Season. As you say they gobble up the fallen acorns 🙂

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  3. Glad you enjoyed your visit yo the forest and it was lovely to have lunch with young Andy and Helen and Barry.
    xx

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  4. Hi Carol, whilst I agree that Stonehenge may be older than the experts suggest, I think 27,000 years may be a bit older than anyone would venture !!

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  5. HI Carol,
    How strange, I was just suggesting to Anders that we visit The New Forest and Stonehenge at Half Term!!
    You seem to have had lovely weather!
    Your photos are beautiful too. I love seeing the picture of the pigs snuffling acorns.
    I am busy planning next week’s lessons!! Luckily only two more weeks until half term!
    Hope you and Andy are both well,
    Love Ruth

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