Lets hope that the harsh  Christmas weather is well behind us and our thoughts turn to the arrival of Spring, With the Snowdrops and Daffodils poking through.  Our wild Canada geese have now returned to the lake  ready to squabble over who will secure the best nesting spot on the island. Now is the time to check that diary  and book up for the New Forest show or maybe the Southampton International Boat Show  or just that long weekend unwinding within the picturesque New Forest National Park  Before it gets sold off!

After a very busy summer our thoughts are now turning towards  a slightly more relaxed  autumn season. The New Forest will soon be putting on its own festival of colour as the the leaves turn  and winter evenings draw in. Why not take a long weekend to unwind and maybe prepare yourselves for the forthcoming Christmas period we still have some availability  over the next few weeks.

Finally the long winter is just a distant memory, new born foals are now appearing on the Forest and our resident Canadian Geese have hatched out eleven goslings. Why not check out the New Forest Show or maybe the Netley Marsh Steam Engine Rally  all  happening in July and just a stones throw from Nuthatch Cottage.

Heres hoping that the harsh winter is now behind us,  The Forest has become  less soggy underfoot, the Catkins are out and  the grass is beginning to show through and the Forest animals are becoming more active. I got buzzed by a Snipe as i walked up the farm track this morning also our pair of Mandarin ducks have reappeared on the lake no doubt preparing to nest once again. For those of you wishing to partake in something different why not try out the newly opened Boscombe Surf Reef  check out the Sorted Surf Shop for lessons and board hire, only 20 mins down the road.

Looks like the thaw is setting in and the weather is improving, feels like spring is just around the corner and best of all the evenings are steadily drawing out. We are looking forward to a busy summer and long hot evenings riding out across the forest finishing up at the local for a refreshing pint. We are offering some really good deals on weekend breaks. Why not surprise that special person in your life with a romantic Valentines  weekend in the forest?

After the over indulgence of Christmas and the New Year why not take a long weekend break and spend the time walking or cycling within the New Forest National Park.  It’s certainly cold at the moment but the Nuthatch is warm and cosy and ideal if all you want to do is chill out.

Finally, after probably the wettest November on record, the sun is now shining with hard frosts and the odd dusting of snow. It certainly feels like Christmas especially now the New Forest ponies have found the holly wreath on the cottage front door.  I will have to replace it with an artificial one.  Lets just hope they don’t find the Christmas Tree. May we wish all our customers, old and new, a very Happy Christmas and prosperous and peaceful New Year.

Winter has certainly arrived in the New Forest with high winds shifting the autumn leaves, why not cosy up in the Nuthatch for a long weekend to recharge your batteries prior to the busy festive season ahead.

The New Forest  is a wonderful place to visit at Christmas and has  lots of lovely pubs with log fires serving excellent food.  Often the climate is exceptionally mild and is perfect for cycling, horse riding and walking.  Nuthatch Cottage sleeps up to eight people and has direct forest access.

Being less than two hours drive from London it offers  welcome sanctuary to those stressed by modern life.

Sian Brenchly, a spokesman for the tourism agency, said: “We have found that the economic situation is making people take another look at holidays at home.

Malcolm Bell, the chief executive of Tourism South West, said he believed the boost in business for the industry triggered by the weak pound could outweigh the negative effects of the recession. “We are already getting reports of a significant rise in business because of the weak pound and we are urging our members to really seize the opportunity,” he said.

“All the research over the past few months shows us that people view a holiday as a necessity, not a luxury and so they will continue to spend on them. With all this stress and recession, I think there is also a feeling that people need their holidays, that life is too short not to enjoy them.”

The number of foreign visitors coming to Britain has also increased. Quenton Fyfe from AboutBritain.com said that the weak pound is attracting more European visitors to spend in shops, restaurants and hotels. The New Forest nestling between the splendid shopping centres of Bournemouth and Southampton is uniquely placed to enjoy the European visitor spending boom.