A Gentle Start To 2021 Rambling through Wareham Forest.

Please Note North Dorset is in Tier 3 as I write this.

Forgive me, but for my first post of 2021 I am indulging myself by publishing a diary style entry. I want to remember how I felt on the first day after 2020. So no ‘how to’ tutorials, no new beauty products to introduce, no charity shop finds and no crochet. Although I do have many of each to share with you later and the coat I am wearing is of course vintage! Today I merely offer you a quiet stroll through the beauty of Dorset’s Wareham Forest

Hello 2021, it’s a pleasure to greet you . . .

Filtered sunlight, dappled shadows, and the smell of the nearby coast, a feast for my deprived senses after being trapped indoors . . ..

Fields and hills are my preferred walking routes. Open spaces fresh country air, wind in my hair and sunshine on my face. The woods to me are dank, damp, and dark. I imagine there to be strange creatures lurking behind every tree. So, imagine the look on Marc’s face when I suggested we take the dogs to Wareham Forest for an early afternoon trek

We layered up, pulled on wellies and walking boots, gathered the dogs and off we went. On arrival the car park was busy, but as the forest is so large, we encountered only a handful of fellow dog walkers and ramblers.

Wareham Forest

Far from being dank and dark this forest is stunning in all its tree lined natural glory. The colours of the bracken took my breath away, golden brown ochres, mustards and dark red russets contrasting starkly with the green of the pine trees. Ice could still be seen on the surface of puddles with some amazing grey Lichen’s trapped and magnified below the surface.

The dogs loved it, the forest is hilly and chalky on the upper areas, marshy and sandy in the valleys. Wide open spaces and plenty of strange smells and sandy earth to dig and kick back in.

A walk in wareham forest on new years day with the dogs.

… golden brown ochres, mustards and dark red russets contrasting starkly with the green of the pine trees.

Filtered sunlight, dappled shadows, and the smell of the nearby coast a feast for my deprived senses after being trapped indoors for so many days. A time to not think, not plan, not to worry. A time to breathe, in and out deeply and slowly, repeat and just be here now.

As the light faded, I snapped a few images to record the moment. Then off home to bathe the muddy mutts, and eat crumpets dripping with butter in front of a roaring log fire.

The perfect start to our new year. Hello 2021, it’s a pleasure to greet you!

Happy New Year!

More Information About Wareham forest

Wareham Forest is situated in Dorset in the south of England. It consists of open heathland. The site is overseen by the Forestry Commission for conservation and recreation. The forest is home to Sika deer and the Dartford warbler plus a small population of sand lizards.

You can read more about Wareham Forest on the Visit Dorset website