Burley.

Burley. Lovely walk in the New Forest today, starting at the car park opposite the cricket ground and walking south over Turf hill to Greenberry bridge on the dismantled railway track. Cross the railway track and continue until you almost reach Holmsley Lodge. Turn right onto a wide track heading west over Holmsley Ridge where you will soon come to the first of the three ponds. Continue on this track to reach Whitten pond (two ponds here). A nice spot for a picnic. Now take the path north to the railway track once again. You can either go left to go around the tiny stream at the car park before turning right and heading over Burbush hill. Or turn right for a short distance on the old railway track bed and then left up to cross the hill. You can stay on this track to reach the car park or turn left at Goats pen cottages and the right on the main track. The car park is a short distance further on through the woodland.

Ringwood forest, the Old Coach road,

Ringwood forest, parking at the Old Coach road car parking area and walking down the main track. Walk past two junctions. Turn off onto the fitness circuit where there is a way through the fir trees. Walk east, crossing a couple of junctions and onto the red route. Left at the red route to reach a wider track and there right onto this for a short distance before turning left onto a small path near to where the cycle track goes left too. At the next junction go left and then left onto the Pine avenue track. Cross one junction and continue to next. Here turn right crossing another junction to reach the road.

Ouistreham near Caen, Northern France.

A walk on the beach at Ouistreham near Caen before getting the ferry yesterday afternoon. This beach is perfect for giving our dog, Phoebe a good long walk before and after long ferry journeys. The beach is accessed by crossing the yellow beach and parking near the sailing club building and the lighthouse. Just past the club building is a passage through to the beach, which extends all the way to the point and a circuit can be made around the inland water too. 

Coustouges, near Saint-Vincent-d'Olargues.

Coustouges, col du Poirier. between Olargues and Fraisse-sur-Agout. this is a lovely easy walk with great views of the Espinouse. It's not a long walk, taking roughly an hour. No signs, just on forest tracks. mostly circular. Park at the col du Poirier, (ignoring the blue markers, they are for another much longer, more difficult walk that goes down to Coustouges and up to the col de Fontfroide and back down on a spectacular saddle on the opposite side of the beautiful and valley spectacular valley). Walk, to your left up the forest track with lovely views of the Espinouse, turning right and around the outside of the hill and then taking a left track where another path goes downhill. Through the forest of mostly chestnuts and pines on this track, then next left at another view point before continuing through the forest. When you reach the next junction keep right to return to cars.

Clermont-Ferrand.

A little walk along the river path just north of Clermont-Ferrand this evening. It's a good place to stay overnight with a nice spot for Phoebe to run off the lead. 

Gorge d'heric via the col du Bardou.

Mons, col de la maure, Col du Bardou, Baou filiti, Pont d'heric, heric, Gorge d'heric and return to Mons. A beautiful walk taking about 3.5 to 4 hours. Circular. This walk is not difficult but is fairly demanding. It's a beautiful walk with outstanding views. Start at the church in Mons and follow the yellow/red route up through the village and up through the wooded slopes above Mons until you reach the col du Bardou. This side gives you some excellent views down the Jaur valley. Opposite you will see continuation of the yellow/red route don't take this but take the small blue route to the right of it. This will take you the short distance to the beautiful Baou filiti, lookout high above Heric with wonderful views down into the gorge and up to the Caroux. Now go down the GR red/white path into the gorge. If coming from Baou filiti, it's a left turn. Cross the little bridge at the bottom and head up to the waterfalls. Then onto Heric where you will find a little buvette for refreshments. Keep right and take the little road down to the car park at the bottom of the gorge. Wonderful views and waterfalls all the way down. Keep going until you see a right turn sign for the yellow/red route. Take this up a tiny, quite steep , rocky path. This will take you through the woods back to Mons. Say hello to the stone cottage by the bread oven for me on your way back.

Saint-Gervais-sur-Mare

Saint-Gervais-sur-Mare. A little walk around the pretty village and the Chateau which dates back to the thirteen hundreds. The church is very old and the lovely old streets wander up the hill to beautiful views. A small bar and a nice pizza place in the square. If you feel like a longer walk, go up to the lovely castle, just a short distance out of the village on the hill.