No prizes for guessing where this is

Before hot weather arrives (if it does), I thought we'd take advantage of the current comfortable temperatures. Of course many over here are complaining - I'm not.

The previous manager of a hotel in Bournemouth moved sometime ago to be general manager of a New Forest hotel and said we must visit. So today was the day.

Took the train, only 14 minutes– to have such a complete change of scenery from a busy built-up beach resort to the peace and beauty of the forest.

Walked along Brockenhurst High Street and followed the path on the edge of the forest to the hotel. Plenty of horses, some with their foals (blipped).

Lovely traditional, unpretentious, typical New Forest dog friendly hotel, favoured by Brits and also by Americans, Dutch and others. Now belongs to the Coaching Inn Group of hotels.

Our friend showed us round the hotel and the lovely large garden. We treated ourselves to a. starter and dessert, and a Dorset Cider.

Returned to the station via a quiet leafy footpath alongside a brook. Started to feel warm and humid. Crashed on the bed once home to recover.