Seventeen of us embarked on a 7 mile circular walk in the north west of the New Forest. The walk explored a lesser known and quieter part of the national park around the villages of Woodgreen and Hale.

The weather was a nice mix of sunshine and cloud, and a number of sections of the walk afforded us some shade over the hottest part of the day.

The first hour of so explored open heathland and a purlieu before entering dense woodland overrun with rhododendron. We emerged into open meadows - so many butterflies! Having walked past the very grand Hale House, and visited Hale Church immediately behind it, we dropped down to the bottom of the Avon Valley for a picnic stop by the Hampshire Avon.

Post lunch we climbed back up to Woodgreen Common Pas the grazing ponies and cattle and into Godshill inclosure in which a network of paths led us back to our cars and then were hosted by Sean and Ian with a wonderful afternoon tea and cake at their house. A lovely walk on a lovely day.