The New Forest, Hampshire 'Mela'

[spindrift]

[img src="[/img]"]

It takes a long time to progress down the M27 to the New Forest. Because it's a rare sunny day everyone seems to want to go to the seaside at Bournemouth so I'm caught in a three-lane traffic jam for several miles. This is nothing new in England.

The New Forest is a former royal hunting area in the south of England. It was created in 1079 by William the Conqueror.
It is a unique area of historical, ecological and agricultural significance, and retains many of the rural practices conceded by the Crown in historical times to local people. Principal of these is the pasturing of ponies, cattle, pigs and donkeys in the open Forest by local inhabitants known as commoners. The New Forest has also been an important source of timber for the Crown.

[Deleted]

Oooh... green! Must be in England somewhere!

[bixaorellana]

Wonderful, Spindrift!

That clearing in the penultimate picture looks as though it's just waiting for its Druids to gather at dusk.

[spindrift]

The forty shades of green (as the Irish would say).... but we are in England
and it has rained more than somewhat this summer.

As previously mentioned, those who live in the forest, Commoners, are allowed to graze their ponies and cattle
on forest land. Hunting no longer takes place.

[spindrift]

Funny you should say that Bixa! There's much talk of such things in this area.

It's perfectly lovely there but I wouldn't want to walk there alone.

I'm tired now so I'll tell you about the Mela tomorrow.

[traveler63]

Spindrift, beautiful pictures as ever. I have posted cactus but we do have green areas around here in Tucson. As a matter of fact, we even have a ski lift!!!!!!

[bixaorellana]

Oooooooooo ~~ even the sunny pictures suggest magic lurking in the shadows. Is that a real cow, or some poor bewitched maiden?

And the massive tree trunk hung with emerald moss stands guard over the clearing where the fairies will dance when the moon rises.

Questions: What is that long furrow in the fourth picture down (such an Alice Through the Looking Glass scene!)?
Are those horses some sort of native pony?

[bazfaz]

Those forest glades look just right for dancing naked in the moonlight.

[spindrift]

Bixa - here's a BBC link with information about New Forest ponies.

www.bbc.co.uk/insideout/south/series2/new_forest_ponies_commoners_breed_improvements.shtml

They wander freely in the forest and it's very sad that many motorists ,using the forest roads , kill and maim them by speeding.

The 'furrow' in photo 4 is a tiny stream. There are streams and marshy bits all over the place. I stepped into a bog yesterday (it was covered with grass and plants) and I have ruined my white trousers and shoes.

T63 - a ski lift in Tucson!

[auntieannie]

I walked in the New Forest many years ago, when I first visited England. Thanks for the pics! I know of several freinds who live nearby and they pronounce the name in a special way, as if to ensure no witch gets annoyed. (but they have stars in their eyes when talking about it).

I liked it that you used the term "Mela". Made me think of the Hindu mega religious meetings that happen regularly.

[spindrift]

Annie - We spent time at the Mela after the forest walk... It was a multicultural event trying to bring together those from ethnic minorities who live around Hampshire and, in particular, Southampton.












I think I have found a new Tai Chi teacher

[Deleted]

Nice pictures Spindrift. Translation: 'Mela' is a Punjabi/Hindi word meaning 'funfair', or country fair.

[bixaorellana]

That looks like so much fun! So happy that you had a pretty day for the event -- everyone seems so happy and relaxed. Your pictures are so good & really capture the mood.

Thanks for the translation, Deyana -- I'd been wondering.

Oh, and Spindrift .............................................................................................

CONGRATULATIONS
                                                                            on your
                                                            2,000th post!!!

[spindrift]

And it's so great to be part of this forum

*Deyana - let's go the Kumbh Mela together!*

[auntieannie]

Thanks for the translation, Deyana!

the Melas in India frighten me so much! too many people at the same place.

[spindrift]

We'd need some burly guards!

[Deleted]

*Deyana - let's go the Kumbh Mela together!*[/quote]

I'd love to!

[spindrift]

Last weekend I walked in the New Forest so I thought I'd add more pictures to the thread.

[bixaorellana]

That is such a beautiful area, Spindrift -- great pictures, too! It looks like it must be several degrees cooler under those trees.

There are roads in your pictures, by the ponies and the last one with the house. Are they the boundaries, or is the New Forest so big that it has roads through it?

[traveler63]

Spindrift- I love!!!!!! your pictures, they are really great!!!!

[spindrift]

The New Forest is a huge area of native woodland and open moorland. There are roads crisscrossing the expanse. You know you're going into the Forest when you cross wide cattle-grills (?) that stop animals with hooves from crossing. Every year motorists kill untold numbers of unfortunate ponies that are free to wander. Low speed restrictions have been imposed but still the deaths and injuries happen. There are many villages and lonely hamlets in the forest. I've often thought of living there but being so beautiful the prices are high and in winter it's not so pleasant and very secluded.

Few people walk in the woods and it's very relaxing to wander there, although I wouldn't like to go alone.

Thanks T63.

[traveler63]

It is very hard here to have a good walk because of the heat. We do have our Mt. Lemmon which is about a 30 minute drive up from where we live here on the east side of Tucson. It is nice in the summer because if it is 100 plus degrees here in the valley it will be about 15 -20 degrees cooler up there. It once was a beautiful beautiful place, and still is pretty but 3-4 years ago, some idiot dropped a lit cigarette and we had a devastating fire, which pretty much burned the little town of Summerhaven to the ground taking the majority of the trees with it. It is now just coming back.

[spindrift]

How high is Mount Lemmon? How heartkreaking that Summerhaven and the surrounding areas were burned. It takes years for vegetation to grow back. What sort of trees grew there?

[auntieannie]

And for those who enjoy a "mela" ... there's one happening in Southampton on Saturday 16th July 2011.

www.southamptonmela.com/

[Deleted]

I had completely forgotten about these photos. They are lovely.