The New Forest - A Different View

Way back in February this year Shaun and I spent a weekend in London - mainly to visit the London Bike Show.   One of the first exhibitors we visited was the New Forest, which was actually part of the Travel Show section of the exhibition.   We were persuaded to enter a prize draw for an "adventure break" in the New Forest, all we had to do was put an email address on a card and post it in a box - simples.    We must have filled in 15 to 20 similar cards and thought nothing of it, not even when the contact emails started to roll in a couple of weeks later.

Jump forward to June 2nd and in my Inbox was a simple email 

Dear Lesley

I am delighted to inform you that you have won our prize draw of a fantastic New Forest Activity Break!

Further details on claiming your prize will be sent within the week we were just so excited to let you know you have won as soon as possible.

Best wishes

Natasha

Natasha Davies

Employment & Tourism Communications Assistant

New Forest District Council, Appletree Court, Lyndhurst SO43 7PA

My initial reaction was one of disbelief - we've won the occasional prize but a whole break?  Nope that had never happened.   Then when it had actually sunk in it was a mad flurry of activity trying to work out how we were going to fit in a few days away.   Luckily we already had holiday booked for July so I asked if we could possibly tack it on to the end.  At that point we didn't know what the actual prize was.   Natasha promised to try and organise the break beginning on Thursday 17th.   The hotel, Careys Manor Hotel & Senspa was booked for 2 nights bed & breakfast for 4 people. 4?  Who to take?  At such short notice it was difficult to arrange so we decided to go it alone.   Whilst we were away we heard from Natasha that our itinerary was to be as follows :-

B&B at Careys Manor Hotel & Senspa arriving 16^th July for 2 nights

Presentation by the Destination Partnership 

Champagne dinner with a sail on the Solent on the 16^th July

On Friday 17th a 2 town guided tour, lunch and cycling and kayaking

Wow - lots to fit in over 2 days!  

We arrived in Brockenhurst early so headed to the Rose & Crown for lunch - one of the best fish finger sandwiches I've ever had!

When we got to Careys Manor we were given a guided tour of the Hotel and taken to our room which had a lovely garden view.

Once we had dropped our bags off we headed back to reception to meet representatives from Escape Yachting  and More Than a Tour.  

A few photographs were taken and a chat about what we would be doing over the next day or so and then we were driven down to Lymington to join our yacht for the afternoon.  We were introduced to our skipper - David who took us and the rest of the group down to the Omerta - our yacht.   Quick briefing and donning of life jackets and we were soon out on the Solent.  It wasn't an overly windy day so the water was lovely and calm, perfect weather - which was great as I was really apprehensive about the whole thing not being a lover of anything boat related!   Champagne was served as we headed towards the Needles.  

Coloured Sands at Alum Bay

The Needles

I'm sure the rocks are smaller than I remember!

Once we'd passed the Needles David and Raphael began to prepare the Omerta for our dinner stop in Alum Bay.   

Food and wine was served - Loch Fyne kiln roasted salmon with lemon and parmesan Linguine followed by warm Treacle Tart with clotted cream washed down with a bottle of Rose.   

The group settle down for dinner (photo taken by Luke Crofts)

(photo taken by Luke Crofts)

The sunset was impressive.  

Lymington Marina (photo taken by Luke Crofts)

An amazing evening, one which I never thought I'd get the chance to experience but I'm glad we did it ............ and the weather was pretty much perfect (apart from the thunderstorm which chased us back to Lymington!)  The trip was also made special by having a great group who interacted, especially Louise and Luke who took some fantastic photos (credited) and were great company.

Paul & Simon from More Than A Tour were waiting for us at the marina ready to take us back to the hotel and run briefly through the itinerary for Friday.  They arranged to pick us up at 10am and take us back to Lymington for an historical tour as we'd mentioned that we'd never been to Lymington before.

Up for breakfast and back to Reception to wait for our pick up.   First stop was the St Barbe Museum which was extremely interesting, especially the art exhibition, and then Simon told us about some of the history of the town as we walked down the streets.  We got to see the gold painted post box celebrating Ben Ainslie's 2012 Olympic gold medals - open the link to see the local story!   

Stop off for lunch at The Kings Head

and then drive back to Brockenhurst to collect our bikes from Cyclexperience  and cycle across the Forest to Bucklers Hard for our kayaking experience.

Sorry no photos from the kayaking but I did manage to get some photos of Bucklers Hard.  

Our instructor and guide Tom   from New Forest Activities got us all kitted out so we looked like proper kayakers (all the gear and no idea!) and gave us some quick instruction on how to manoeuvre and then got us into our kayaks.  He took us upstream first so that coming back was easier (tide going out!) It was a very relaxing 2 hours, chatting about the Forest and the river - a great way to put the world to rights too!   After our paddle up the Beaulieu River a taxi was waiting to take us back to the Hotel.   

On Friday night we walked up to the Snakecatcher and had the most amazing Venison steak cooked on a hot stone - thoroughly recommended.

Saturday morning saw the end of our amazing experience and time to leave for home.  One last chance to enjoy a delicious breakfast in the Cambium at Careys Manor.  We'd have loved to be able to spend some time using the hotel facilities, the Spa looked amazing - hopefully Shaun will treat us one day!

We had such an amazing time and we can't wait to go back.   Seeing the Forest from a different perspective, taking part in activities we'd never normally do, was fantastic.   We've visited the Forest many times, with Danni when she was smaller and walking holidays with the dog and have fallen in love with the area.   We'll definitely be back!

Thanks to everyone involved for your hospitality - we've had a ball!

Juneathon Week 4 and a few days

Day 22 

Ab/squat challenge 20 sit ups, 25 crunches, 45 squats
Steps 12,898

Day 23

Boxercise
10 sit ups, 40 crunches, 55 squats
Steps 20,130


Day 24

10 sit ups, 50 crunches, 65 squats
10 miles on the bike
Steps 13,504

Day 25

Spin class
15 sit ups, 60 crunches, 65 squats
Steps 8,751

Day 26

20 sit ups, 70 crunches, 85 squats
Dog walk and food shop.
Steps 12,504


Day 27

Summer has officially arrived!

Saturday was all about family.   Father-in-law is still unwell and mum is still in the nursing home for respite care.   We drove up for the day, dog as well and did some food shopping for him, mowed the lawn, harvested fruit and vegetables that needed doing and Shaun and his Dad visited mum.

Luckily it was Ab/squat challenge Rest Day.
Steps 8,116


Day 28

On Sunday my Boxercise instructor Claire was taking part in the LA Fitness Coast to Coast charity bike ride.  As the ride left Hove and headed towards Newhaven I offered to keep her company for a few miles on the road up to Lewes, so at 8.30 Shaun and I waited at the end of our road for her to arrive.   Of course, I hadn't taken into account that she'd already done 10 miles so was nicely warmed up so off she whizzed with Shaun whilst I did my best to catch up every couple of miles.  After 7 miles we said goodbye and waved her off to complete her 60 mile ride.   We headed to Costa for a cappucino!   After our quick coffee break we headed off into the Sussex countryside and eventually arrived home after a total of 17.5 miles.   Not as far as I wanted to go as I'm now building up my mileage to do a 60 mile ride in September (hopefully) but we had been invited to a family BBQ at my sister in laws (this doesn't happen often so we snapped at the chance to visit them).

25 sit ups, 80 crunches, 95 squats
Steps 4,634


Day 29

I didn't get chance to do day 29's 30 sit ups, 90 crunches, 95 squats as I got up too late to do them in the morning, worked late and when I eventually got home didn't have enough time before joining my daughter at her Step 'n Tone class.

  I haven't done step for about 23 years (it was nothing like the above video) and the last time was a total disaster culminating in me being asked by the instructor never to return.   Luckily my co-ordination, timing and general confidence in my own ability have changed since those days (is that down to Boxercise?  I have no idea!)  I still have no idea how to do a "Rocking Horse" or "Around the World" but I did quite enjoy it, especially adding the hand weights to do bicep curls and shoulder press.  There were also lots of crunches and squats so I didn't feel too guilty about missing my ab/squat challenge!   I was a bit concerned my legs would feel mashed for Boxercise the next day - but to be honest they felt OK, usual twingy knees and aching quads but otherwise not too bad.

Steps 14,248

Day 30

Got up early this morning to do the day 29 30 sit ups, 90 crunches, 95 squats
 Boxercise
Steps 17,271

Tomorrow I have to get up early to walk the dog before work so I'll finish off the ab/squat challenge
40 Sit ups, 100 crunches, 100 squats.

It's also my 26th wedding anniversary and not long before our next adventure in Tribby!

Congratulations to everyone who completed Juneathon 2015 - it's been great!

Juneathon Week 3 - lots of ab work & ill parents!

Day 15

10 mile bike ride
ab/squat challenge - 20 sit ups, 30 crunches, 20 squats
12728 steps


Day 16

ab/squat challenge 25 sit ups, 30 crunches, 45 squats, 

1 hr Boxercise & 17695 steps (inc a dog walk) 

Day 17

OH swapped to early shift so dog walk before work.   Overtime today so walked to a sports shop to pick up Dad's Father's Day present at lunchtime, ab/squat challenge 40 sit ups, 50 crunches & 60 squats, 10,700 steps. 

Day 18

ab/squat challenge rest day!!!!!  Dog walk before work, token plank 1m 30 secs and 10,865 steps.   Father in law in hospital with unknown diagnosis, mother in law in respite care.   This weekend is going to be interesting! 

Day 19

On my own tonight as OH has gone up to stay with father in law who has been released from hospital.  Ab/squat challenge 5 sit ups, 5 crunches, 5 squats.  11,066 steps.


Day 20

Up early to get the dog walked and the food shopping done.  Arrived home at the same time as hubby, spent the rest of the day with mum at the nursing home, dad at home and at my parents.  Dinner at a local pub, sitting in the beer garden eating ham, egg & chips in the rain.   Ab/squat challenge 10 sits, 10 crunches, 25 squats.   10,783 steps.

Day 21

Was supposed to go out on the bike today, but let's face it, it's been a stressful couple of days with parents and overtime at work and I'm exhausted.   Finished reading Peter James Book 4 of Roy Grace series (another tick on the 2015 to do list) and pottered around tidying up and 2 hours of ironing.   Walked the dog.  Ab/squat challenge 20 sit ups, 15 crunches and 35 squats. 

#Juneathon Week 2 & A Night Away in Tribby

End of week 2 already - I don't really feel like I'm putting in much effort this time around but I'm still trying to keep up my step goals daily and I'm doing the 30 day ab/squat challenge.  I've not been able to get out on the bike since last Sunday - fingers crossed for some bike time in week 3!

Day 8

30 sit ups, 40 crunches & 60 squats - 12,686 steps - not bad considering my knees were killing me after Sunday's bike ride

Day 9

16,493 steps, 1 hour at Boxercise - Rest Day for ab/squat challenge. 

Day 10


Ab/squat challenge 10 sits, 10 crunches & 25 squats, 10,369 steps 


Day 11

Long unexpected overtime at work, got back too late for spin!  Ab/squat challenge (nearly killed me!) 40 sit ups, 50 crunches, 65 squats - 6,962 steps 

Day 12

Ab/squat challenge 45 sit ups, 60 crunches, 70 squats - 14,296 steps - No overtime today so walked the dog and did the food shop. 

Day 13

Campsite ab/squat challenge - 5 sit ups, 5 crunches & 5 squats - 10,500 steps


Day 14

Ab/squat challenge 10 sit ups, 10 crunches & 10 squats - struggling with steps today! 

On Saturday we headed to Slindon in West Sussex to the Camping & Caravanning Club site.   After setting up (which didn't take long as there was no electric to hook up) we headed out for a walk round the Slindon Estate.   

Pre walk drinkies & snacks

Enormous foxgloves - they were at least 6 ft tall

Pitch 33 was perfect for Tribby 

Playtime

Steak dinner - Saturday night wouldn't be right without!

Messy campers!

 We've had a lovely relaxing couple of days - next trip is in a few weeks time when we're going on a road trip to Salisbury !

#Juneathon Week 1 & Davina's Big Sussex Bike Ride

Following on from last week's post - here's a week of Juneathon stuff

Day 1

Ab & Squat challenge - 10 sit ups, 10 crunches and 25 squats & 10,785 steps (Vivofit)

Day 2

1 hours boxercise, 20 sit ups, 15 crunches and 30 squats, 14,045 steps

Day 3

5 sit ups, 20 crunches and 35 squats and 10 miles on the bike, 10,712 steps

Day 4

10 sit ups, 25 crunches and 40 squats and 14,097 steps

Day 5

5 sit ups, 10 crunches and 20 squats - 9,275 steps

Day 6

15 sit ups, 30 crunches and 50 squats - 10,561 steps

Day 7

40 miles on the bike (Davina's Big Sussex Bike Ride)
20 sit ups, 35 crunches and 55 squats
I've still got over 2,000 steps to get to goal but I'm a bit wrecked after the bike ride!

Total mileage for Juneathon - 50 miles


Today was the day of the Davina Big Sussex Bike Ride - an absolutely brilliant ride around 20, 40 or 68 miles of Sussex country roads (and some busy ones).   The ride set off from the East Sussex National Golf Centre at Uckfield and did a nice figure of 8 route, VERY undulating via a feed station at Horam Golf Course (at 20 miles).   I was supposed to be riding with my mate Nik and Boxercise Instructor Claire, but unfortunately Nik sprained her ankle the week before so it was just me and Claire

Before we left - I was a bit nervous

I also managed to catch up with Michelle, @lipglosslass on Twitter.  We've been trying for ages to meet up, today was the perfect chance

Davina McCall started us all off on our way - no photos unfortunately, it wasn't allowed.   I'd also spotted Jayne Torvill but didn't manage to get a photo of her either.  I later found out that Shaun, who had ridden the route after we left, had passed her at some point.

The first 20 miles went quite quickly and it wasn't long before we reached the feed station - a quick wee stop, fill up bottles with water and a jaffa cake and we were soon on our way.  It wasn't long after the feed station that I decided to stop and swap my bottles over and add a glucose tab to my water bottle - big mistake!   Much to Claire's delight the back wheel of my bike decided to spin and before I knew it, although it was slow-mo action, I was on my arse and sat on the tarmac.  My comedy fall has left me with a LOT of bruises and some marks on the Dolce - not happy.

The next 20 miles were fairly uneventful - the hilly bits kept us on our toes and crossing a huge roundabout was a bit scary.   When we reached the finished it really didn't feel like we'd just ridden 40 miles.

Our reward for all our efforts - a hot dog or a burger

which went down very quickly, with a cup of tea!   and it wasn't long before Michelle and Sam joined us

I'm well chuffed with today's ride.   I was convinced that the 40 miles would take me at least 4 hours, but actually the time according to Garmin was 3 hrs 20 mins.  Most impressive of all was my maximum speed of 50kph - must have been one of those lovely downhills.   I was less impressed by the goodie bag which consisted of a brown paper bag, a bottle of water and a Mars bar.   Stunning medal though so I'm not complaining, and I've raised over £100 for Action Medical Research, the charity behind today's ride.

Need to start looking for a new challenge!

Good luck fellow 'athoners with week 2 - here's to more squats and some mileage on the Dolce.

What? June Already?

Time is really whipping along this year - can't believe tomorrow is the 1st of June!

So what's happened since my big newsflash at the end of April?   Not much to be fair - Shaun celebrated his 50th birthday, although I wouldn't really call it celebrating.  He's not one for massive birthday celebrations for himself - didn't want a party and told me to not spend loads as he'd rather keep the money for Aus!   So birthday day consisted of me going to Boxercise and him coming home to an empty house and cooking dinner.   I did organise a cake which was made by my friend Julia (she made Danni's 18th & our joint wedding anniversary cakes), and we went out for a nice meal the following day.

At the weekend we trundled off in Tribby for the weekend to the Newbury Motorhome Show.  We booked a lovely quiet site just outside Didcot called St Peter's Farm.

 It was a lovely weekend, with lovely weather, and we spent far too much money on stuff we didn't really need.  Since then Shaun has been working most weekends so not much chance of getting away!   Lots in the planning stages for the latter part of June and our 2 week break in July and going on into August.

So that's just about it!   What's next?   Juneathon starts tomorrow - I'll probably not do a proper full blown blog every day but micro blogging on Twitter (@Lilbeeloo67) and the Facebook page - maybe a weekly round up on the blog, and I'll be logging all rides on Strava.    If you're taking part good luck - I hope you've got all your Juneathon essentials ready - blister plasters, washing powder, frozen meals for the family to heat up quickly etc.

NEWSFLASH !!!!!

Some very exciting news and something to tick off the "To Do" List.   AUSTRALIA IS BOOKED

We leave the UK on 9th January and our first stopover will be Kuala Lumpur - it's only a couple of hours, just enough time to stretch our legs & maybe freshen up.   We decided to stay in Sydney for a couple of days before heading to Melbourne to stay with Lou & Andy.  

Andy's very excited about the whole thing and has started making plans - there is talk of a road trip to Adelaide to take in a couple of stages of the Tour Down Under and also take part in the BUPA Challenge, even if it's only the short one!

Now we start on all the planning - where to go, what to see.   We might even try and fit in a couple of days on Tasmania.   So many things to think off - and all very exciting.   To be honest I don't think it's actually sunk in yet, we've only paid a £50 deposit each plus the Sydney hotel - maybe it will be more real the closer we get.