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Published: August 15th 2019
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130719 - New Forest, Hampshire First time out in the Bongo for a test trip out to the New Forest in Hampshire.
We had some fun and games trying to figure out what to pack, we're a bit rusty on this travelling thing, it's been 10 years since the days of Oz and New Zealand camper-vaning after all! In the spirit of past adventures and taking us all the way back, we bought a box of Australian Shiraz, only a bit fancier than goon!
A short drive out of West Sussex via Petersfield and the South Downs and we’re in the New Forest heading for Burley. On our trip, we come across a very, very posh, one-percenter posh Polo Club in Cowdray, Midhurst. Not to feel too out of place, we park the Bongo next to a few Jaguars and the usual SUV style city cars and grab a coffee to see how the elite few live it up... fair to say, it’s nice and full of very well-spoken Estuary English sounding folk.
Anyway, enough about that, onto the New Forest, camping up at the very nice Holmsley Campsite. On arrival we connect the electric hook-up, pop
the roof up and head off for a walk through the forest towards one of the 3 local pubs within 1.5 miles walk.
The open marshes are teaming with wild horses and the woods are intersected by the Avon river, no, not the big one in the Midlands!
We stumble across a money tree and an abandoned military railway track from the air bases in the second world war, the track leads to The Old Station which is now a cafe in Holmsley, sadly closed by the time we arrive, looked really nice though, maybe next time.
Food time and we take a direct path through the woods to the nearest pub, beer and some tasty food.at The White Buck. On route we try to play a bit of Pooh Sticks, but the Avon down here is a bit slow moving, no winner this time! White Buck was nice, good service and amazing location in the heart of the New Forest.
Dusk is starting to set in after a few beers, so we head back to the camper through the now, Blair witch style woods... bit scary for Helen, not me, obviously...
Wine, double solitaire
cards, tunes and kicking back at the Bongo before we try out the roof top bed, which to our surprise, although a bit difficult to get up, was really comfy. Loving the camper so far and getting some ideas for some nice little upgrades, a ladder maybe!
Next day, we wake up and cook up a fry up of egg, bacon, asparagus and toast on the double stove, now that we have gas (on trying yesterday it was empty, doh!).
Whilst chowing down, we hear a helicopter overhead, I really do mean overhead, this proceeds to land right next to us in our field, apparently, someone on site managed to explode a gas canister an suffered some burns.
All pretty cool stuff with the helicopter landing and taking off, that excitement over, we drop the roof and head to the coast.
Finding ourselves near a beach, at the edge of the New Forest and parking up at Highcliffe Castle in Christchurch, it reminds me of a smaller Hamptons in the US, with the forest on the edge of the beach and stunning views towards The Needles on the Isle of Wight. We take a wonder down
the beach heading towards Mudeford which is pure white sand and warm water for the time of year.
Epic first jaunt out in the camper, loving the freedom of jumping in a movable home away from home and looking forward to more adventures!
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