Bouldering ... Really? Visit Milford on Sea

Yes, it's been a while..... Easter came and went and the kids came and went ....

So actually, with another bank holiday weekend coming up, no better time than to talk about where to take the kids.

Bouldering?

Well as long as the parents are keeping a watchful eye, the kids have great fun here at Milford on Sea on the boulders.  Actually it's not quite as scary as it looks.

And after that a little competition racing on the beach .... well 'catch me if you can mum' and .....

 well if you can't Mum, maybe Dad can :)

You'll notice that I stayed safely away from the bouldering and the running!

Give me a break someone had to take the pictures after all :)

But if you're not into all that extreme sport, you can wander along the path and see if you can catch a glimpse of the wildlife.

Milford is a great place for everyone.

Sustenance

And of course you may well be a little thirsty or even hungry after all that exercise.  Remember to call into Raft Rocks.  Their sweet potato chips are yummy.

Just a quick note from me ... if you want to eat lunch or supper at Raft Rocks you may well need to book ahead.  They get busy and are very popular with the locals.

Open: Tuesday to Sunday   Closed: Monday

Was that a Drip on the Nose?

A rewind back

to a walk with the swans, that's what it felt like anyway!

The day wasn't the best day for a walk

It was bitterly cold.

But I needed some fresh air!

Husband said I must be mad. I was determined.  Camera in hand on the 'just in case'  basis and off to one of my favourite walks.

Photo opportunities are always there ...

This poor couple had been feeding the swans and were trying to get away without the swans hot on their trail!

Territorial swan!

Eventually the couple escaped, but leaving crumbs behind them!
One swan got greedy and territorial and kept poking at the other swans, as he obviously wanted the scraps all to himself!

I will, I can, just watch me ...

This little chap (well not so little actually, but a cygnet nevertheless!) was doing his utmost to fly.  

Oops didn't quite make it on this occasion, so got back in the water .... until ....

he saw me!  Ooops probably thought I had crumbs .....

Or closeup portrait maybe?

Well, that's fine.  I can do that.
Hang on though, please wipe that drip off your nose first!

Fresh air and reminiscing too ...

And to end my walk out towards Hurst spit, the ducks flew off.
It reminded me of the ducks that my grandmother used to have on the wall in the hall!  Ah showing my age now...

Is that a drip on the end of my nose?

Turned out to be a lovely walk!

Good job I was behind the camera as I was not a pretty picture with red nose and did I mention drip on the end of nose?

Feeling energetic?

If you are feeling energetic and you have the right shoes on, you could always walk out to Hurst Spit with spectacular views of the Solent towards Portsmouth on a clear day.  

Hurst Castle

and on to Hurst Castle with great views of the Isle of Wight.

Opening times and prices:

The Castle is open daily from 25 March 2016 through to the end of October.
Daily from 25 March – September 10.30 am to 5.30 pm.
October Daily – 10.30 am to 4.00 pm.
Nov to March – weekends only 10.30 am to 4.00 pm.
Entry – Adult £4.80 : Child £3.00: Senior £4.50 (season tickets available)

Friendly dogs on leads welcome!

Remember to call in at Raft Rocks for a snack.  

You'll need to build yourself up for that long walk.

Enjoy!  See you next time ..... Watch this space for our travels to Malta.

How to Spend a Few Hours in the New Forest on a Misty Autumn Day

And you might think to yourself 'New Forest'?  Looks like a sea view to me.

And you would be right, of course, it is indeed a sea view.  A view across the Solent from Milford on Sea beach.

Beautiful isn't it.

Actually, Milford on Sea is in the New Forest.  So aren't we lucky here to have the best of both worlds.  Forest and sea.

But on a very still and misty day there's nothing more relaxing than walking along the Keyhaven Nature Reserve, a hidden sanctuary for bird watchers.

On this misty day I was lucky to see this black swan.

 And he actually glided towards me so that I could get a closer look.  Isn't he beautiful.

Now I'm not saying that he will be there when you visit, but there is certainly plenty of wildlife to see.

Sometimes it's as if they are putting on a show just for you!

I have no bird knowledge, other than knowing a swan or a duck, the simple ones, but do you really need to know to appreciate how beautiful these creatures are?

 And, of course, if you have children with you they love to feed the birds.  As long as it's not the seagulls on the beach or wherever people are sitting, it's harmless, and as long as they stay a safe distance from the swans.  They can get quite aggressive, the swans that is not the kids! :)

Ah and what's that I spy across the water?

Could it be a chance for some light refreshment?

It is definitely a place to get a snack or even a meal.

This is a happening place. Friendly service and great food.

I stopped for some yummy sweet potato chips.  Delicious!

If you fancy something a little more substantial call in there before your walk to book a table.

Raft Rocks is very popular and for lunch or evening meals it may be necessary to book ahead.

So there you have it - how to spend a few hours in the New Forest on a misty Autumn Day.

Total relaxation.