Apart from those commentators talking through their hats with the benefit of hindsight, who would have predicted the pandemic of 2020 that was to have such profound and devastating effects on millions of people from every corner of the world!?
For someone like me who strives on travelling the lockdown is like having my wings clipped and the travel restrictions are shackles around my ankles!!
However I am lucky to be in a village in New Forest with 3 nature reserves in the vicinity during the lockdown. Taking advantage of the permitted daily exercise outdoor my partner and I have been taking a 5-km circular walk around the village and a Reserve nearby every morning without fail.
It’s been a joy to rediscover the charm and magic of the Forest that have been taken for granted. Here are some of the lovely sights that make getting up early for that morning walk worthwhile
There’re daffodils everywhere around village when the lockdown commenced 23 March 2020.
The peaceful countryside looked enchanting in spring sunshine
The Forest looked mysteriously beautiful even on a cold frosty morning....
The Forest looked magical one April morning, which happened to be my birthday!!
By late April the daffodils had given way to the bluebells, set off by magnificent firs
In early May the Rhododendrons started to show their colours!
By mid May the Rhododendrons were in full bloom. They formed a wall of lilac on both sides of the path and a sea of purple haze beyond!
One morning we took a different path and “discovered” this lake hidden amongst tall trees and long grass! But it was worth the trek to see these views!!
As the day got lighter earlier in June, we started our walk at 6.30. We were rewarded with glimpses of the deer and rays of the sun through the trees. Even the foxgloves looked amazingly colourful)!
Unfortunately the shadows cast by the Covid19 virus will haunt us for some time and the virus may never go away. But I do hope some sort of normality will return to our lives soon… so that I can travel again! In the meantime I know I am very lucky to have such beautiful open space at the doorstep!
