http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/infd-96mh8r
Everyone who loves dogs and uses the New Forest is hoping the cause of the recent spate of dog deaths is found soon. The affected areas are so far limited to Ogdens, Fordingbridge with one case reported near Burley/Pickets Post area.
Please see the link to laest updates from the Forestry Commission.
Saturday 4 May 2013
Thursday 31 March 2011
Hello to the Waterside Network Group in Hythe, Southampton
The WNG is a really useful group for local businesses which works on the principle that 'we do business with those we know and trust'. Members share their business experiences and ideas and as people get to know one another they may feel comfortable recommending other members when the opportunity arises.
I have been fortunate to have a couple of referrals already via the group, and also looked after a couple of dogs owned by group members which was lovely - a great little border terrier called Finn who loved having a walk with a friendly Westie 'client', and two brilliantly behaved labradors who came to stay with me for a Saturday while their owners had relatives to visit. These two managed to thoroughly wear themselves out chasing balls at Deerleap with me and spent the rest of the day sleeping at my house in front of the fire!
The group has a new Facebook page - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Waterside-Network-Group/167124176644489
(Special thanks to Focal Pix for setting up the WNG's Facebook page by the way!)
There are some great businesses networking at the group so a look at their website www.watersidenetwork.co.uk with members' directory is highly recommended, if you are after anything from art work to plumbers to wedding dresses, and lots in between!
Sunday 21 November 2010
Local Walks for Dogs: King's Hat Enclosure
Thought I would list a few local walks to do with a dog (or two, or three!) that might be of interest to other dog walkers.
The first walk is suggested for dogs of all sizes, whether you require a short and varied walk past water and weaving through coppiced woodland, or a longer run out onto open heathland.
© Copyright Jim Champion and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence
King's Hat Inclosure offers a really varied walk in the spring, summer and autumn months as it includes many types of typical New Forest scenery: open heathland, forest, scrub, grazing animals (normally cattle and ponies), and watering holes.
The woodland is not enclosed, and is grazed by deer and the Commoners' stock. The name 'hat' refers to the brimmed appearance of a clump of trees that have had the foliage on their lower branches eaten away by the ponies and deer. As you walk through the woodland you will find very few branches below head height.
© Copyright Jim Champion and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence
As you enter the Inclosure from the car park you cross a picturesque wooden bridge over a large-ish body of water. In Spring and Summer the water is clear and inviting for dogs.
In Autumn the water is beginning to turn muddy and not so inviting for dog owners, it has to be said...! The grazing ponies that roam free on the heathland nearby are also frequent visitors to the water, wading in and turning the water even muddier with their efforts.
The banks of the water are full of interest for dogs to sniff about in, and not too muddy apart in Spring and Summer.
From here there are well-trodden pathways which weave through the woodland towards the open heath. Here the sun filters through the trees and the effect can be quite transformative. Despite the nearby Beaulieu road, the area is very quiet and peaceful.
Once on the heathland there are many other enticing paths that traverse along the edge of the woodland, offering varied but shorter walks for more sedate dogs. You can easily find the way back to the car park without having gone too far.
Alternatively, for a more robust walk, stride straight out following the path uphill. This leads out onto open land typical of the New Forest with heathers, ferns and gorse, and plenty of room for dogs to run and explore! As it quite open it is easy to keep an eye on your dog off the lead, however be aware that there are often plenty of ponies and sometimes, cattle in this area.
In the Autumn I have watched with interest as a 4 x 4 drove up to the area along tracks, and as it approached dozens of cattle appeared knowingly and huddled nearby in expectation. Two men got out of the 4 x 4 and offloaded sacks of feed which they distributed to the waiting animals.
The dogs I was with were very interested too, but had to be kept away in case they got a bit too involved! Nevertheless, it was quite an interesting spectacle.
Good things about this walk:
* varied scenery
* can be as long or short as you wish
* lovely peaceful area
* usually meet a few other friendly walkers
* dogs can enjoy splashing in the water, which is quite shallow
* idylic in warm sunny weather
* natural places to perch for a drink or with a flask
* lots of car parking space
* car park is sufficiently away from the road to safely let dogs jump in and out of the car
Things to be aware of on this walk:
* lots of ponies and cattle about
* although car park is well away from the road, the passing traffic can be fast - beware if your dog has a mind of his own
* can feel isolated if walking alone
* muddy in late Autumn
* can be unpassable in Winter or after heavy rain - often closed to public in Winter due to flooding
The first walk is suggested for dogs of all sizes, whether you require a short and varied walk past water and weaving through coppiced woodland, or a longer run out onto open heathland.
1. King's Hat Inclosure, nr Beaulieu, New Forest, Hampshire
This gate leads southeast out of the King's Hat Inclosure to the northwestern slopes of Beaulieu Hilltop Heath. A few self-sown Scots pine can be seen to the left of the track on the open heathland, with the planted conifers of the Crabhat Inclosure beyond.
King's Hat Inclosure offers a really varied walk in the spring, summer and autumn months as it includes many types of typical New Forest scenery: open heathland, forest, scrub, grazing animals (normally cattle and ponies), and watering holes.
Another view from within the Inclosure
The woodland is not enclosed, and is grazed by deer and the Commoners' stock. The name 'hat' refers to the brimmed appearance of a clump of trees that have had the foliage on their lower branches eaten away by the ponies and deer. As you walk through the woodland you will find very few branches below head height.
© Copyright Jim Champion and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence
As you enter the Inclosure from the car park you cross a picturesque wooden bridge over a large-ish body of water. In Spring and Summer the water is clear and inviting for dogs.
In Autumn the water is beginning to turn muddy and not so inviting for dog owners, it has to be said...! The grazing ponies that roam free on the heathland nearby are also frequent visitors to the water, wading in and turning the water even muddier with their efforts.
The banks of the water are full of interest for dogs to sniff about in, and not too muddy apart in Spring and Summer.
From here there are well-trodden pathways which weave through the woodland towards the open heath. Here the sun filters through the trees and the effect can be quite transformative. Despite the nearby Beaulieu road, the area is very quiet and peaceful.
Once on the heathland there are many other enticing paths that traverse along the edge of the woodland, offering varied but shorter walks for more sedate dogs. You can easily find the way back to the car park without having gone too far.
Alternatively, for a more robust walk, stride straight out following the path uphill. This leads out onto open land typical of the New Forest with heathers, ferns and gorse, and plenty of room for dogs to run and explore! As it quite open it is easy to keep an eye on your dog off the lead, however be aware that there are often plenty of ponies and sometimes, cattle in this area.
In the Autumn I have watched with interest as a 4 x 4 drove up to the area along tracks, and as it approached dozens of cattle appeared knowingly and huddled nearby in expectation. Two men got out of the 4 x 4 and offloaded sacks of feed which they distributed to the waiting animals.
The dogs I was with were very interested too, but had to be kept away in case they got a bit too involved! Nevertheless, it was quite an interesting spectacle.
Good things about this walk:
* varied scenery
* can be as long or short as you wish
* lovely peaceful area
* usually meet a few other friendly walkers
* dogs can enjoy splashing in the water, which is quite shallow
* idylic in warm sunny weather
* natural places to perch for a drink or with a flask
* lots of car parking space
* car park is sufficiently away from the road to safely let dogs jump in and out of the car
Things to be aware of on this walk:
* lots of ponies and cattle about
* although car park is well away from the road, the passing traffic can be fast - beware if your dog has a mind of his own
* can feel isolated if walking alone
* muddy in late Autumn
* can be unpassable in Winter or after heavy rain - often closed to public in Winter due to flooding
Thursday 4 November 2010
Our friend Mr Nutkin, and other stories
It's been a mild, windy week, just right for tramping in the woods with the dogs.
The GSD's owner has had to spend an enormous amount of money - many thousands - repairing various genetic leg ailments and the dog is only a year old. The owner absolutely loves him though and told me proudly how he is taking him for the weekend to see his sister who lives on a farm - he is one lucky dog!
As always, the dogs I walk, meet and their owners can entertain and brighten up most days. Among the many great things about my job, is getting out and about every day and visiting different places, be it the New Forest, local walks or further afield.
And in how many jobs do you get such a fantastic welcome on your arrival as at the home of a dog who is eagerly waiting for his walk?? (Or the dog owner's cat who is waiting outside on the doorstep for my arrival because he knows he will be let in!)
Other things that have happened this week...
* One of my dogs has a lovely new cardigan - hand knitted - really, extremely cute, and as he's a breed that dislikes cold weather he needs it - another lucky dog!
* Met a lady with two rescue greyhounds, a male and a female. The female is 9 years old, recently came into season and could be pregnant as neither of them are neutered/spayed. The owner was very nice to talk to, however I couldn't help feeling sorry for the dog if she's now pregnant after all the years of working too. And after all, rescue centres are already full of retired greyhounds seeking new homes...where would the puppies go to? I do feel that all rescue centres need to neuter/spay their dogs routinely, to avoid these issues.
* Our own pet ducks are eking out the eggs...we thought that with the clocks going back and the earlier evenings they might go off lay, but the two youngest (Puddles and Rose, pretty brown Khaki Campbells) are still going strong. Enjoying those egg mayo sandwiches! Well done, girls!
* Our guinea pigs, Chicken and Duck (I know, confusing names - imagine when we try to make a vet appointment for them...endless merriment!) are still outside as the weather is mild, and enjoying going out into their run on the grass every day for a mooch and nibble. We did bring them inside over the weekend due to fireworks locally, it being almost Nov 5th after all. They were not, actually, that impressed: refused to initially step out of their carry box at all into their spanking new, clean, fresh-smelling indoor cage and had to be cajoled with bits of hay and, finally, lifted out by hand...whereupon they promptly hid in their shelter until evening, before the lure of fresh hay became too much and munching could be heard, if not seen.
Clearly, they much prefer the familiar scent of their outdoor hutch. But at least they were safe indoors while we all watched the night sky light up on Saturday night.
Guy Fawkes' night is tomorrow...hopefully all dogs, cats, rabbits and piggies will be brought inside.
It was, however, slightly disconcerting when I visited a favourite woodland walk at Itchen Valley Country Park on Monday and found the familiar shady tree canopy had all but vanished, seemingly overnight - the fallen leaves now carpeting the forest floor in bronzed oranges and yellows.
Mind you, the 2 dogs I had with me seemed not to notice, so intent were they on spotting EVERY single squirrel which dared to race past them collecting a bounty of chestnuts and hazelnuts...If I had my arm suddenly wrenched out its socket once by a dog on a chasing mission, I had it a dozen times. In these woods the official rule is 'leads must be kept on', however jarring the experience becomes! I think I made up for it with a good off-lead run in the nearby fields afterwards!
Another day I visited a park by the river in West End, always a pleasant stroll offering different experiences every time. Mid-morning there are often plenty of other folk walking their dogs about and most of the dogs recognise each other and much stopping and socialising, doggy-style, follows...
The dogs and I met someone with an enormous German Shepherd, who looks a tad intimidating due to his size but is just the softest-natured boy ever. I had a particularly small dog with me and the two of them took a shine to one another and stood sniffing noses for quite a while, tails wagging...it would have made a brilliant photo - little and large - shame I didn't have a decent camera with me.
The GSD's owner has had to spend an enormous amount of money - many thousands - repairing various genetic leg ailments and the dog is only a year old. The owner absolutely loves him though and told me proudly how he is taking him for the weekend to see his sister who lives on a farm - he is one lucky dog!
As always, the dogs I walk, meet and their owners can entertain and brighten up most days. Among the many great things about my job, is getting out and about every day and visiting different places, be it the New Forest, local walks or further afield.
And in how many jobs do you get such a fantastic welcome on your arrival as at the home of a dog who is eagerly waiting for his walk?? (Or the dog owner's cat who is waiting outside on the doorstep for my arrival because he knows he will be let in!)
Other things that have happened this week...
* One of my dogs has a lovely new cardigan - hand knitted - really, extremely cute, and as he's a breed that dislikes cold weather he needs it - another lucky dog!
* Met a lady with two rescue greyhounds, a male and a female. The female is 9 years old, recently came into season and could be pregnant as neither of them are neutered/spayed. The owner was very nice to talk to, however I couldn't help feeling sorry for the dog if she's now pregnant after all the years of working too. And after all, rescue centres are already full of retired greyhounds seeking new homes...where would the puppies go to? I do feel that all rescue centres need to neuter/spay their dogs routinely, to avoid these issues.
* Our own pet ducks are eking out the eggs...we thought that with the clocks going back and the earlier evenings they might go off lay, but the two youngest (Puddles and Rose, pretty brown Khaki Campbells) are still going strong. Enjoying those egg mayo sandwiches! Well done, girls!
* Our guinea pigs, Chicken and Duck (I know, confusing names - imagine when we try to make a vet appointment for them...endless merriment!) are still outside as the weather is mild, and enjoying going out into their run on the grass every day for a mooch and nibble. We did bring them inside over the weekend due to fireworks locally, it being almost Nov 5th after all. They were not, actually, that impressed: refused to initially step out of their carry box at all into their spanking new, clean, fresh-smelling indoor cage and had to be cajoled with bits of hay and, finally, lifted out by hand...whereupon they promptly hid in their shelter until evening, before the lure of fresh hay became too much and munching could be heard, if not seen.
Clearly, they much prefer the familiar scent of their outdoor hutch. But at least they were safe indoors while we all watched the night sky light up on Saturday night.
Guy Fawkes' night is tomorrow...hopefully all dogs, cats, rabbits and piggies will be brought inside.
Have a safe and enjoyable Bonfire Night!
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| One of our Khaki Campbells |
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