Looks like the MOD are staring work on the 10th January and going to take 12 weeks to do it.
South Forest will be closed. Cant imagine the mess they'll leave behind.
@tribalbrit Where did you find out that South Forest would be closed. I thought they were just going to close the car park. I can't imagine what sort of mayhem they are going to cause in 12 weeks.
That's how I read/understood the sign. Read it today, didn't see it yesterday. Could be wrong I'll have another read tomorrow, I'll take my reading glasses too.
Looks like you could be right. I have looked on the website and it says car park will
be closed, cant imagine them letting folks walk about freely though.
Alternative parking is at the main car park and funnily enough they have just put price up to £5. wont be using that!
The notice on their website only mentions the parking area at Swinecote Road being out of commission, nothing about the Pumping Station? We're members and would happily use the free parking, except from that side it's quite a walk before you get to any area you can go naturist.
@the-tibetan-hat Most of the group walks start at the pumping station and we just walk naked from our cars. This is a public right of way. It does not come under the RSPB.
Thought as much, so I wasn't quite understanding the concern over losing the parking on the other side.
At least the work, which sounds essential, is taking place now rather than the summer.
@the-tibetan-hat Yes it is a good time just now. I only hope they do not disrupt the frogs breading at the beginning of march and I hope the people who used to park on Swinecoat lane don't start parking by the waterworks or there wont be enough parking space for group walks.
Sorry, yes just the lay-by that's closed for vehicle access.
Very muddy out there today, at least when it was cold the ground was hard and I didn't need to bath the dog when I got home.
The days are drawing out a pace so hopefully more weeknight walks aren't to far away now.
The sun was shining it was 9 degrees C and there was little wind, so I went for a 4 mile naked walk in Sherwood forest this afternoon. There were very few people about and I went to find out how the MOD were getting on. So far they are working on the entrance on Swinecoat lane with heavy machinery. I am guessing they are going to put some sort of hut there, but might I be wrong. I couldn't see that they had done anything else so I will have to go an have another look in a few days time.
Apparently there are signs up in the forest telling dog owners to keep their dogs on a lead this weekend. This is because there are going to be people walking about dressed as ghouls and pagans
Krampus they are called, some sort of spirits of the forest and they call us weird. 🤔
I wonder what it's got to do with dogs - is there a concern that the dogs might be alarmed? I assume it's this character - from our old friend Wikipedia:
The Krampus is a horned, anthropomorphic figure in Central and Eastern Alpine folklore who, during the Christmas season, scares children who have misbehaved. Assisting Saint Nicholas, the pair visit children on the night of 5 December, with Saint Nicholas rewarding the well-behaved children with modest gifts such as oranges, dried fruit, walnuts and chocolate, while the badly behaved ones only receive punishment from Krampus with birch rods.
The origin of the figure is unclear; some folklorists and anthropologists have postulated it as having pre-Christian origins. In traditional parades and in such events as the Krampuslauf (English: Krampus run), young men participate dressed as Krampus and attempt to scare the audience with their antics.[1] Such events occur annually in most Alpine towns.[2] Krampus is featured on holiday greeting cards called Krampuskarten.
Since 1984, the character has become better known globally, having been portrayed in Hollywood horror films. Almost unknown before this time, Krampus has begun to become part of American popular culture.
(My emphasis). Essentially another American import, then.
More an Eastern alpine thing as you say, I think.
Apparently they are now asking visitors to go equipped with pots and pans and make as much noise as possible to scare the spirits from the trees. I wasn't aware there were any up there.
2 pm Sunday for anyone interested.