15/2/09 - A good turnout of nine sailors assembled at Yarmouth for the 10:30 crossing, then a quick train ride to Brockenhurst. Our numbers were swelled to 21 by some welcome mainland folk, so we set off happily through the village to cross the open plain of Black Knowl.
Crossing Bolderford bridge, we left the main path and headed off into the woods along the river, which showed distinct signs of having recently flooded - lucky we weren't a week earlier! Across a couple of footbridges and through the leafy undergrowth, we eventually found the outskirts of Bank and our lunch stop outside the pub. A few took the opportunity for a swift half, while a few more took advantage of the facilities as we sat listening to the noisy A35.
Heading out the other side of Bank, we passed a few very nice (and expensive looking) houses, and took the main track back towards Brockenhurst. Branching off, we plunged in to the woods, before rejoining our previous track back to Bolderford bridge.
Taking an alternative route back across Black Knowl, we kept to the edge of the woods to avoid the puddles, before eventually being forced out over a stream which needed a bit of temporary bridge building. Forced to weave our route through the damp ground, we found several dead ends before eventually getting across another stream, this time via a convenient bridge.
Finally free of the puddles, we quickly headed in to the top of Brockenhurst, through the quiet streets and back to the station for a train and ferry trip back to the island.

Leader - Suzanne

Total Distance - 8.4 Miles