48 hours in the New Forest...

First of all, if you don't like the countryside, horses and cosy country pubs, then you might want to scroll on by. Oh and do we even know each other?! If you're a regular visitor than I know this won't apply....
This post is pretty much all pictures of the aforementioned things and if you know me, you'll know this is pretty much a dream come true for me.
My love of horses has been everlasting and it's something I hope to pass onto the Little Inspiration, so it has been my dream for a while to visit the New Forest and go on a horse safari....
Ha! To be fair I just made that up, there's not really such a thing as a horse safari, other than driving around in your car and shouting 'there's a strawberry roan' and 'oooo look there's a palomino' which I appreciate is pretty niche. The Carnivore thought I was absolutely insane and had no clue what I was talking about but I was in my element. I should have got him the horse safari guide.
In between horse spotting and taking photos on my DSLR we also did a fair amount of walking around the beautiful countryside of the New Forest, which was surprisingly less foresty (is that a word?) than I imagined. There are definitely areas of beautiful woodland to explore but most of the walking trails we found were across  rugged pastureland.



Occasionally I'd spot a hoof print in the mud and know there was recent horse activity in the area, like some some kind of equine safari ranger.
We'd look through the trees and often see a well camouflaged pony with only it's rump and swishing tail showing.
 Before it bolted into the open and we got a better look at it...
 They are surprisingly difficult to see from a distance but I was positively giddy every time I spotted a four legged friend in the scrub.

 Some traveled alone and others in small pairings to keep each other company....
 And others traveled in herds and we came across this group with about a hundred different ponies all congregating together.
We couldn't resist getting up close, although there are warnings everywhere not to feed the ponies as they may bite...
 There were big ones, little ones, dinky ones, white ones. black ones, grey ones and blue ones in every variety. It was magical to see so many different horses all together.
 I was happy just watching them graze and potter about but the Carnivore was fast losing interest until they started edging closer....
The man has swum with great white sharks but is not so keen on horses, as he thinks they're a bit big and scary. Though I did get him ranch riding in Canada so that's progress.
 They took a shine to him but soon got bored when they realised he had no food to offer.
 I made friends with this shaggy maned beauty...

They caused bedlam for drivers as they ambled across the road, holding everything up, At one point there was a traffic jam whilst nearly the whole herd crossed.

 Then the titchiest pony ambled over for a stroke and I fell in love...
Before all of its friends came for a closer look too

 This one almost got bundled into the back of the car and driven off...I would have let it move into my kitchen.

 They're such hardy beasts living outside all year round....
I came up with a plan to release some onto Beverley Westwood, after all if we can have free range cows on the Westwood, why can't be have our own 'wild' ponies?

 I mean who wouldn't want to see these adorable creatures roaming about the place...even if they are a little cheeky if they think there's food on tap...
Once the Carnivore managed to grapple me away from the horses we headed off to explore elsewhere and ended up in the little village of Downton. Perhaps loosely related to Downton Abbey which we were due to visit the day after. It had a quaint pub, a babbling stream and a market cross but not much else.
Then we happened upon the cutest donkeys and I had to stop for a pat. I'll definitely be having a donkey on my small holding one day.
 Before continuing back to our digs at the lovely country Bell Inn for a little drinky and a bite to eat All of that safariing makes for a thirsty Herbivore and Carnivore.
 I tucked into a Herbivore burger and the Carnivore had the roast and trimmings.
After a few more drinks, we were exhausted and ready for a lay down and the rooms were contemporary and beautifully country chic. Just what we needed after a long day adventuring,

If the Little Inspiration loves horses as much as I do, we may have another excuse to go back some day...

Have you been to the New Forest? Are you a fan of free roaming animals?

2 comments

  1. Can't go wrong with countryside! I love the New Forest! That food looks yummy too!

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