Your deepest roots are in nature.  No matter who you are, where you live, or what kind of life you lead, you remain irrevocably linked with the rest of creation.  Charles Cook

There is much to be said for reacquainting with ole friends, even if it is within the bounds of a 'New Forest', that looks somewhat very very old..

Myself and Esther made the short flight to Bournemouth from Dublin last weekend to a place that is as magical for ou friends Dave and Jo, as is Middle Earth for Frodo. The Hollands Wood campground in the 'New Forest' is a wonderfully peaceful sanctuary despite being surrounded by tents and happy campers, young and old.
Cycling through the forest amongst giant Redwoods, ancient Oaks and an abundance of wildlife it's too easy to forget the rest of the world with all it's worries. The mobile phone gets switched off, no speaking of laptops or surfing the web. Nature is wonderful, everlasting, undefeated.
Constantly in the presence of free ranging horses, deer, the odd rabbit and numerous foraging squirrels it was a welcome break from city life and the spoils of a working week.

Dave and Jo took the hard work out of having to setup camp and organize bike hire, all we had to do was turn up and be greeted with fresh ground 'Havana Coffee'.. Just what every new day should start with.
But it was being in the presence of our friends that was the real joy.. We sure missed them over the couple of years since leaving New Zealand, a temporary absence from the country we have come to refer to as being our new home, away from home..
It has been a busy time for Dave, Jo, Jaya and Lani, trekking all the way back to their roots in the south of England for a much needed break and family catchup. New Zealand is as far away as it gets from this side of the globe, for once you go past it, you are heading back here again.
So taking time to catchup with us was something we really appreciated and looked forward to.
Jaya has grown so much and since seeing her last, she is now holding conversations better than most adults.. Questioning everything and as curious as a little kitty cat. Then there is Lani.. Only starting to walk, she wobbles and stumbles, chatting in a language that we have yet to decipher. My hat goes of to Dave and Jo though, they work like a well oiled machine, ever patient and smiling whilst dealing with nappy changing, feeding and every needing toddlers.. the joys of parenthood.

The 'New Forest' with old friends.

The weekend wasn't nearly long enough, and Father Time was was on the march.
The moment the sun awoke us from a chilly night in the tent, we we up and on the bikes. We even made a couple of stops in the local village for a coffee.
Brockenhurst has what most English villages ooze, and that's character. Also what most Irish villages wish they had.. Exceptionally though, there aren't too many villages anywhere that you'll be meet by Donkeys strolling down the main street, or occupying car parking spaces, just cause they can.. Like Englands version of Banff in Canada where they have Moose.

During the day the sun shone, warm, even hot most of the time. So in the forest on the bikes it was nice to have the shade of the trees to keep us cool. Dave did on occasion look like he might just catch a few winks while we picnicked along side a meandering stream. He's one for a midday nap if he can, having fallen asleep a few time while we were round at their house in Island Bay. Comfy Sofa's are very inviting to a weary man..
The nights on the other hand were star filled skies, and a real Autumn chill. We sat around a partially smoldering BBQ for both heat and to just relax, sipping on hot tea, keeping our hands warm. The odd time, even more often than we wished, the silence was broken by crying babies. Probably the result of the chilly air biting though the tent canvas. Wellington wasn't much help in keeping me warm, but served as a good cycling companion during the day..

Dotted through out the forest are homes and working cottages. Left from the days when you could build and setup house, forest rangers now occupy most of the homes. It would be a dream job for many, and unlike the rest of us, you are surrounded by the wooded version of our concrete jungles.
If you are lucky enough you might catch a glimpse of a Stage wondering amongst the ferns or sitting resting in the shade from the midday sun. But most certainly you will see and hear other forest creatures. And of course many other bikers and hikers.

Monday, the day we were leaving, the forest wept. Rain dripping from the leaves dampened the ground, but still the sun managed to peep through the clouds. Tents were broken down and packed away. The Puck was overloaded and hitched to the 4X4. How sad it is that friends part, but all things being temporary, we look forward to seeing them again, soon. We headed off through the forest for a last drive. Stopping at a pub for a quick bit before we went to the airport, it was all to surreal.
You could spend a very long time in a place like this, wandering and wondering, pondering and prolonging your departure back to what you think is normal life, city life.
On the other hand, you can just enjoy the break and look forward to returning. After all, life is what we make it, not what we expect of it.