Ponies, Canoes and Forests..
It was back to blighty this year after the experience of last year's trip with a visit to the New Forest area..
Fact Panel
Details
Trip Date:
June 2005
Transport:
Merecedes Vito Minibus
Accommodation:
Rented House
Duration:
Five Days
Cost of Trip Per Person:
£350
Video:
Sony Mini DV
Rating:
Very Good
Members Attending
Milford Trivia
County
Hampshire
Population:
5000
Known For:
Tea Rooms, Beach Huts, Seaside.
Where is Milford?
Day One: Saturday 7th June
As usual it was a fairly early start. The Vito van was loaded and away we went. Stopping off at a Little Chef en route to Hampshire, the walter money was divvied up with a novely-one of the £20 notes we had had our faces superimposed over the Queen. Very novel indeed! After the traditional breakfast we boarded the ferry to the Isle of Wight for a day trip. A path we last travelled back in 1992, this time we visited somrthing we didn't back then which was Carisbrooke Castle. Wandering round the castle was good however according to English heritage we weren't allowed to film. But we did anyway.
In the order of time we arrived at Milford and entered the Old Grocery House which was well appointed and very nice indeed. After settling in we did the usual area walk around to get a feel of the place and to check out the local hostelries, the Red Lion amonst others. A walk along the beach finished off the afternoon nicely. The evening, you won't be surprised to learn, ended in the pub with a meal and a pint or two..
Day Two: Sunday 8th June
After we had our fun we then left and went up to St Boniface Down where a pillbox from the war provided much fun for the afternoon. Having ferried back across the Solent we got out the dingy when we got home and boated up and down the harbour for a while with the little 5hp outboard motor, all good fun. Afterwards we settled into the well worn routine of a meal and drink at the local hostelries.
Day Three: Monday 9th June
It was a nice early start today as we were heading over to the new forest. We had arranged for cycle hire ahead of time and we picked our cycles. A leasurley ride through the forest was most pleasant, stopping to look at the ponies most populous around those parts. A nice meal at a pub followed, then after the ride it was time to get back to the house and a nice evening walk along the beach.
Day Four: Tuesday 10th June
It was up and another cooked breakfast, this day prepared by Mark and Chris. Although a valiant attempt was made by both to produce a satisfactory meal, there were a few interruptions with video cameras and comments from other members which, in the opinion of this author, were quite unjust and contributed to a delay and quality to the meal.
This meant that the team were effectively banished from working together, a decision still in force as of 2022. A miscarriage of justice if ever there was one!
We motored off to Bournemouth for a walk round some gardens and a look on the pier and beach. Pics were taken at various points of us 'surfing' which turned out well. A ride on the funicular lift completed the visit. In order of time we made our way to Buckler's Hard on the river Beaulieu and a spell at canoeing. A gentle paddle up and down the river was most agreeable. A repair to a pub for a drink and meal after at the White Horse rounded off the evening.
Day Five: Wednesday 11th June
The final day approached with exreme rapidity which it always does of course, and we started home. We weren't finished yet though, with a visit to Portsmouth to round off the trip. Had a look round Nelson's flagship 'Victory' where some pics were taken, as well as a walk round the Spinniker area. A boat ride round the harbour was also complted, all very nice.
So then another good trip, lots of activites were done and much fun was had. We look forward then, to our next trip which was to be a lot further north, in Scotland..
