My neice is currently in New York and somehow inspired me to come up with these fun versions of 2 famous New York songs, changing them to be relevant to the New Forest. I enjoyed myself and just wanted to share them:
New York New York by Frank Sinatra
Start booking a room
I'm on my way
I'm going to stay
New Forest, New Forest
These walking shoes
Are leading the way
Right through the heart of the
New Forest, New Forest
I woke up in the country
Had an amazing sleep
Now I've climbed that hill
To the top of the ridge
My stressfull town blues
Have been blown away
I'm loving the R&R you get
In the New Forest
Now I found my way here
I needn't go anywhere else
Can't wait to be back
New Forest, New Forest
New Forest, New Forest
I woke up in the country
I had an amazing sleep
And I've climbed that hill
To the top of the ridge
Looking down at the view
Oh what a sight!
My stressfull town blues
Definitely blown away
The R&R is really great
Right here In the New Forest And don't forget
Now I found my way here
There's nowhere better than here
Why don't you come along
New Forest, New Forest
Empire State of Mind by Alicia Keys
As this one is possibly a little harder to remember the real lyrics I have left Alicia's in black & my version is in blue.
Grew up in a town that is famous as the place of movie scenes
Visiting a town that is famous as a tourist scene
Noise was always loud, there are sirens all around and the streets are mean
There is no noise and the streets are kept really clean
If I can make it here, I can make it anywhere, that's what they say
I have found my way here, I needn't go anywhere else that's what I say
Seeing my face in lights or my name on marquees found down on Broadway
People are so nice, they will help you and even go out of their way
Even if it ain’t all it seems, I got a pocketful of dreams
Even if it rains, I've got my waterproof's
Baby, I'm from New York
Baby I'm in the New Forest
Concrete jungle where dreams are made of
Woodland jungle where adventures are made of
There's nothing you can't do
There's lots here you can do
Now you're in New York
Now you're in the New Forest!
These streets will make you feel brand new
These open spaces will make you feel recharged
Big lights will inspire you
Great sights will impress you
Hear it for New York, New York, New York!
Let's hear it for New Forest, New Forest, New Forest!
On the avenue, there ain't never a curfew, ladies work so hard
On the cycle trail, you can walk aswell and it's not that hard
Such a melting pot, on the corner selling rock, preachers pray to God
Such diversity, plants & animals for all to see
Hail a gypsy-cab, takes me down from Harlem to the Brooklyn Bridge
Hail a Twizzy car, takes you on an eco trip from Brockenhurst all around the Park
Some will sleep tonight with a hunger far more than an empty fridge
You can stay the night then have a breakfast that's got the NF markI'm gonna make it by any means, I got a pocketful of dreams
You will have a great time, maybe pack your waterproof's
Baby, I'm from New York
Baby I'm in the New Forest
Concrete jungle where dreams are made of
Woodland jungle where adventures are made of
There's nothing you can't do
There's lots here You can do
Now you're in New York
Now you're in the New Forest!
These street will make you feel brand new
These open spaces will make you feel recharged
Big lights will inspire you
Great sights will impress you
Hear it for New York, New York, New York!
Let's hear it for New Forest, New Forest, New Forest!
One hand in the air for the big city,
A review on TripAdvisor for all to see
Street lights, big dreams all looking pretty
Pretty sights, coastal, heath & lots of trees
No place in the world that can compare
Creating memories for you to share
Put your lighters in the air, everybody say yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
A place of outstanding beauty - yeah yeah, oh yeah yeah
In New York
In the New Forest
Concrete jungle where dreams are made of
Woodland jungle where adventures are made of
There's nothing you can't do
There's lots here you can do
Now you're in New York
Now you're in the New Forest!
These street will make you feel brand new
These open spaces will make you feel recharged
Big lights will inspire you
Big sights will impress you
Hear it for New York!
Let's hear it for New Forest
I have tried singing them much to Fred's annoyance, and I think they do work.
Mel :)
The Green route - New Forest Tour Bus
Every year we try to make use of the New Forest Tour bus at least once as it is a great way to travel around the forest without taking your car and you learn some local history and quite interesting information along the way. The fun thing about it is you can hop on & off where and when you like as long as you catch the last bus back!
One Saturday last summer my mum & I took the kids on the green route heading for Lymington. It was a nice day so we decided to sit up the top where it's open and you get the best views, although be aware it's very fresh up there! The route took us from Lyndhurst car park via Brockenhurst and then on to Lymington - a pretty bustling Georgian market town with a wonderful old stone cobbled lane that leads down to the scenic Town Quay, which is still used today by fishing boats and several little tour boats, one in particular Puffin Cruises, where you can just do a tour of the Solent or use it as a ferry to the Isle of Wight - a much nicer way than the commercial ferry in my opinion.
We had something in particular in mind for this afternoon, so we got off the bus at the top of the high street and because I always like a little browse, we wondered through the busy market. This is always a lovely place to get your fruit, veggies and even meat amongst a lot of other things - I always like to come and get my plants for the garden from here too. There is also a lovely range of shops which are all well worth a look.
We carried on down the picturesque cobbled street and past the Town Quay, carried on walking down Quay Street & Town Slipway, past the children's playground & bandstand and on to the Seawater Lido. This open air seawater baths date back to the 1833 and are weather permitting is open daily to swimmers from May to September from 10am to 6pm.
This was our first visit to the Lido and I have to say it is a great place to spend the day. There is a very large pool, but it isn't very deep, then there is a shallow pool for small children and a sand pit. For refreshments there is a small kiosk which does chips, snacks, ice creams and drinks. There are showers and changing rooms and plenty of tables and seats. At the far end of the large pool you can also take canoeing lessons.
Even though the afternoon wasn't as warm as we had hoped we still really enjoyed it. The water is very cold though as it's brought straight in from the sea, and you definitely need sun cream too as there isn't any shade and you are in salt water.
After braving the cold water for a couple of hours we then decided to go back into the high street for a late lunch in one of the quaint independant cafe's. We had a lovely lunch outside in the small courtyard area of a lovely cafe which I can't seem to remember the name, but it was about half way up on the left hand side as you walk up the hill. By this time the kids were getting a little tired and it was time to make our way back to catch the return bus. We decided that this time, as it was late in the afternoon and the sun had gone, we would be best sitting inside - in the warm. The route took us via Elmers court a very nice looking place to have an afternoon tea or lunch, then onto Beaulieu Village, Exbury Gardens, back to Beaulieu and Beaulieu Motor Museum and then back to Lyndhurst.
It was a lovely day out and so easy as it didn't involve driving, parking or rushing. It just involved sightseeing, fun, comfort, relaxation and car free tourism!
Mel :)
Beaulieu to Bucklers Hard approx 2 miles each way.
This is a beautiful and tranquil walk which meanders along the river and ends at the timeless historical 18th century village of Bucklers Hard.
It probably is a walk that is appreciated far more on a good weather day, as you are able to take your time and just enjoy the natural beauty of the walk in the sunshine, however it is still a lovely walk even in the middle of winter.
Starting from Acorns of Lyndhurst B&B you can choose to either drive, cycle or take The New Forest Tour bus to get to Beaulieu. You can pick up the river walk just at the back of the The Montague Arms which has a prominent position on the main road in Beaulieu.
To start with the path takes you through some fields where you get just the odd glimpse of the beautiful Beaulieu River, and if you are really lucky you may catch sight of a deer. On one warm, sunny Sunday afternoon we did, a baby fallow deer had been left by it's mother snuggled up in the long grass at the base of the hedgerow and even though we were only a couple of feet away it didn't move, it was an adorable sight - just like Bambi.
As you go past the yard of New Forest Activities the path splits and the left one goes to the riverside and the right one goes through the trees in a slightly more direct route. We normally take the riverside path which does more or less follow the edge of the river bank as it meanders slowly down towards Bucklers Hard. Although some of it can get muddy and it's a bit lumpy with tree routes it is a reasonable track that should be ok for all ages. The other route I would say is more suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs as it's flat. The views of the river and properties that reside on the banks are breathtaking and the only noises you hear are the birds and the odd boat that slowly goes by either on it's way out to sea or returning to it's mooring.
You can stand and watch and dream of living the life for hours, it's quite mesmerizing.
Eventually though, you wind your way to the historic shipbuilding village of Bucklers Hard where you can just sit with an ice cream, a picnic or a glass of wine on the grassy bank and just watch the world go by in a stunning setting. Alternatively you can visit the impressive Maritime Museum, Shipwright's cottage & chapel which gives an insight into the history of this 18th century shipbuilding village, focusing on its vessels including those built for Nelson's Navy. You can also continue your walk a little further and take in the woodland walk on the other side of the hard, or you can take to the water.
The 30 mins River Cruise is a great way to follow the privately owned river down to where it meets the Solent and take in the stunning views along the way with accompanying commentary telling you the story of the river. Or if you fancy getting a little more hands on, you can kayak with New Forest Activities - this is great fun and in my opinion, a wonderful way to get the most out of your visit.
All in all the tranquility and slow pace of the Beaulieu River make this walk and the idyllic village of Bucklers Hard one of the nicest, simplistic and picturesque places I can think of to spend a warm summers afternoon, in the New Forest National Park
Mel :)
