COUNTRYSIDE, WILDLIFE & FARMING
which once marked the eastern
boundary of the Osborne
Estate. She would then enjoy
resting beneath shady branches
of the tree awaiting the royal
carriage to return her to
Osborne.
The trails range in length and
difficulty from shorter town
trails taking in street and park
trees, circular rural routes
through ancient woodland
to the more challenging
cross-Island trail.
Pick up free copies of the
Histree Trail leaflets from
Island public libraries and
Tourist Information Centres
from July 2008. All of the
trails will also be available
as downloads from www.
histreetrail.com. Look out for
tree-related events throughout
the summer supporting the
launch of the Histree Trails.
For more information please
contact the Project Officer
at the Park and Countryside
Section of the Isle of Wight
Council tel: 01983 823893,
email: [email protected].
uk or visit the website: www.
histreetrail.com.
Walk on the Wild Side
Now that summer is well and
truly upon us there can be
no excuse for getting out and
exploring somewhere new on
the island. With the majority
of footpath and bridleways
being along field edges or
old tracks they can get a bit
muddy over winter and spring.
Come June and July they
soon dry up. With trees and
hedges in full leaf, many laden
with flowers and young fruit,
this mixed with wildflowers
gives a colourful and often
scented appeal, meaning, every
new path could become an
adventure.
If you have a regular walk,
why not jump in the car and
try something new. The Island
is well known for having
the most extensive and best
marked, network of footpaths
anywhere in the country.
Preparation is always a good
idea! A circular walk means
you don’t have to back
track on yourselves.
Ending at, or passing
by a pub is another
incentive, although if at
weekends try to avoid
the lunch-time rush!
On a clear day take a
walk over Shalcombe
and Brook Downs
towards Freshwater.
Visit the burial
site named ‘Five
Barrows’ (although
you will count seven
mounds!). There are
some fantastic views
across the west of the
island seeing both the
Solent and Channel. This
is National Trust land, and
because of the sensitive way it
has been managed by grazing
livestock with no herbicides or
fertiliser allowed, the numbers
of wildflowers is fantastic.
Look out for harebells, not
www.wightfrog.com/islandlife
life
By Tony Ridd
commonly found on the
island but a real treat when
discovered.
The Sun at Hulverstone or
the Red Lion accessed via the
Causeway in Freshwater are
two good pubs to replenish
weary legs and dry mouths!
Paul Sivell (Judge)
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