Date: 7th – 10th January 1972
Participants: Graham Beevor, Peter Cox, Roy Griffiths, Graham Hicks, Phil Knowles, Clive Lee, Jim Salter, Neal Stuttaford and Geoff Wright.
Nine cheery masochists left the Den in East End Road at about 20.30 on Friday 7th January for the Service Team’s annual winter hike. Transport was provided by Roy Griffiths (7th Finchley) and although we had no breakdowns it was still an eventful journey as, having missed a turn-off we did not arrive at our starting point until about 01.00 on Saturday.
Clive, Neal, Graham H and Graham B were dropped off around Woodlands a small village to the west of Ashurst on the edge of the New Forest. We had decided to have two separate night hikes and meet for breakfast. The remainder of the party continued to the south of Ashurst where they parked the van and started their hike.
There was intermittent rain throughout the night, but this was not a problem compared to the mud that we all encountered. The group with the two Grahams had the worst of it, with much time being spent fishing the heels of their boots out of the all-enveloping mud. It was not long before they were in the Shave Green Inclosure and had crossed the A31. The footpath then crossed a stream, the Coalmeer Gutter, or rather disappeared under it, and with there being no way round Clive and Graham H walked straight through it. It was knee-deep but after some hesitation Neal and Graham B followed. From then on they all had cold feet and squelched along even when clear of the mud.
Their route, the longer of the 2, continued across the disused airfield (RAF Stoney Cross) situated between Janesmoor Plain and Stoney Cross Plain, and associated paths before crossing back over the A31 at the appropriately named Handy Cross. They eventually reached a road that led to the meeting point, and at one point came across a garage where they managed to get some hot water for a cup of tea. This worked wonders and although a little late they were able to make the rendezvous quite quickly from there – a telephone box at Burley.
Having skirted Lyndhurst the second group made their way west, across the A35 and deep into the woods. In addition to the mud, they had another problem - Roy had strained a thigh ligament (self diagnosis) and was in pain. Nevertheless, they had no alternative but to push on and were the first group to arrive at the agreed location.
Although the original plan was to continue until lunchtime, we decided that, in view of Roy’s leg pain and with some of us not having slept for more than 24 hours, it was time to get some rest. We found a suitably dry and sheltered clearing in South Oakley Inclosure, the woods a little to the north of the town, pitched our tents and had a well-earned breakfast / lunch.
Geoff, Jim and Clive decided not to rest but to wander into the village and have a look round. Everyone else decided to settle down for the afternoon.
Those that opted for a nap were just dozing off (Roy and Graham H already had) when they were hit by the hunt. Hundreds of foxhounds came crashing through the campsite, shaking tents and rattling billies. The yapping dogs and hunters blowing horns made quite a din and on about the third run through they even managed to wake Graham H, though Roy never woke. It was quite a sight and the sudden rude awakening drew forth a number of amusing comments.
Eventually, to everyone’s relief, the dogs put down our frying pan and moved on to another part of the wood, after which it was possible to sleep peacefully till about 18.30. By this time it was dark again and Saturday had virtually disappeared.
Following the evening meal - curry - we adjourned to the Queen’s Head, Burley where we met some sailors on a compulsory hike who just could not understand how we could be doing a hike for fun, (at times neither could we).
When we arose next morning we decided that Roy could not walk far, so Clive and Graham H went off to get the van. Not too far away, using the direct route. It was then agreed that Graham H and Roy would take the van and some of the general equipment to the prearranged rendezvous for lunch whilst everyone else would hike.
After a muddy, undulating walk during which several of us (especially Peter) fell down hidden ditches, we eventually covered the 6 miles and arrived in Sway, where we all meet up again. We moved off the road and found a suitable secluded site to pitch the tents and cook a meal.
After a restful afternoon we went for a drink in the Oddfellow’s Arms before having an early night.
The next morning most of us were beginning to feel the effects of having spent the first night hiking. As a result we had a late breakfast and decided to change our lunchtime destination. So after clearing the site we to proceeded to Brockenhurst, only 3 miles to the north. Jim (who was now suffering from a badly bruised foot) replaced Graham H and accompanied Roy by van.
After a cooked lunch we set off for home, having decided that hiking at night in the middle of winter was not something to be recommended, although it might not have been so exhausting if we had not had to stomp through so much mud.
The final journey passed without incident.