Linford Bottom. New Forest.

A lovely walk and picnic with our grandchildren at Linford Bottom today. Always a little muddy on the lower path but you can make a lovely circuit by walking near the river in one direction and through the forest in the other. Pretty of water in the stream still at the moment. There is a lovely grassy area near the car park for picnics and paddles and plenty of opportunities for longer walks from the car park too. It's an easy place to reach too being close to Ringwood and just off the main road.

Stephens castle, Verwood

Watching the sun go down at Stephens castle, Verwood. It's so near to the village centre that you can enjoy the sun set and still get home in the light. Go up behind the Memorial ground and walk up the little lane to the top. There is a gate on your right and after going through this, climb the steeps to the top for the best view in Verwood. From here you can see why Verwood was know as "A beautiful wood", for which its name means. We walked up into the forest and over to Cranborne common before returning to enjoy the sun set. There were rabbits and deer up there too.