I enjoyed my visit to New Forest Cider, who are tucked away behind the Forest Tea Rooms, Pound Lane, Burley. I came away with a few litres of their excellent Snake-Catcher Scrumpy too, which made the trip even more rewarding, what’s more I even have the pictures to prove it.

Cider Making Open Weekend

On the 18th and 19th October 2008, from 11am to 4.30pm you can:
" Come and see cider making as t’wer done in Grandfer’s day with a vintage steam driven mobile press, a hand operated twin screw press and a horse drawn travelling press."

www.newforestcider.co.uk

Yesterday I took my Specialized Rockhopper Disc ’08 mountain bike for a quick spin. In the end it turned out to be a little bit more than a fleeting outing around the forest.

As a former Scout, I try to adhere to the "be prepared" mantra. Cycling round the New Forest, especially on it’s gravel tracks, can be hard on bike and rider. Cycling alone, brings added responsibilities too. Do you carry a puncture repair kit, tools, and a pump with you? My Speacialized Sirrus Pro for 7 years yielded no punctures on it’s daily commute, on the relatively smooth West London streets. I did have a good tyre though. Specialized Armadillos. Heavy, but exceptionally puncture resistant.

No matter how prepared you are. Things can go wrong. A friend of mine used to regularly take his campervan abroad in the summer. Trekking down to Spain, he even took a spare clutch with him. However when the clutch did eventually give way, he found that his spare clutch was the wrong model! I found myself in a similar situation yesterday. I got my first flat in the forest. Luckily it happened less than a mile and a half from my home. I had a spare tube, pump and CO2 canister, what could go possibly wrong?

I thought that I would just inflate the tyre with my brand new CO2 cartridge, and cycle straight home. This is where I came unstuck. I installed the cartridge, in the pump thing. But I couldn’t get a good coupling on the front tyre valve. The cartridge released, but most of it escaped the tubes inners.

I tried using the manual pump but again couldn’t connect properly with the valve. So I gave up, and pushed the bike home. Along the way I admired and took some pictures of ponies, cattle and also some funguii that I would have missed if my tyre had been inflated.

Today, I fixed the puncture at home, and inflated the tyre using my stirrup pump. At least the bike is ready for another outing. I know how to connect my Combo2 pump, now the lever needs to be up to latch the valve, the opposite to my stirrup pump, again made by Specialized. Well, I know now. Next time I will be better prepared before I cycle out into the New Forest.

Essential Cycling Kit

• Helmet – goes without saying on these gravel tracks
• Pump – working!
• Puncture Repair Kit
• Tools – allen keys, spanners, screwdriver
• Mobile Phone – a good idea

One of the highlights of my days is when the sun goes down in Burley. The twighlight brings out one of the magical and celebrated creatures of the night, the bat. These elusive creatures often skim over my rooftop as they hunt for insects.

There are 17 species of bat in the UK. I am not sure what species the bat in my photo comes from, but all the same, he or she is a fascinating warm blooded creature. Like the snake, numbers of bats have decreased drastically over the last century. Visit Bat Conservation Trust to learn more about protecting these wonderful flying mammals.

If you too are batty about bats you could sign up for the Family Bat Discovery guided, short walk this Friday on August 22nd 2008.

The family and I enjoyed a lovely afternoon today at the 2008, Burley Village Show. Held at the Manor Park in Burley, just in the shadows of the Burley Manor. The Burley villagers came out in force to enjoy an afternoon of fun.

There were many different shows including a fun dog show, a dramatic bird of prey flying exhibition, live music and of course the usual village fete style vegetable and flower growing competitions. Being in The New Forest, and especially in Burley there was a fine selection of equestrian events and demonstrations.

All in all, a great afternoon, which was fantastic for the children as well as the adults.

After visiting the Rufus Stone, without a picnic. We found the Sir Walter Tyrell Inn, and we are very glad we did.

The staff were very friendly and helpful, and the delicious home cooked food was both generous and tasty.