Country diary: walking in a woodland wonderland

South Oakley Inclosure, New Forest Others come here for exercise, we head off the track into a silence broken only by the scolding of blackbirds

There's a stillness in the air, though we share this Inclosure's gravelled track near Burley with others. A runner passes us on his way out. We've not gone far before we have to stand aside to allow two riders to pass on ambling ponies.

A cyclist speeds by, head down, and later we greet a family group enjoying a walk. Like so many of the people who come into the New Forest, their purpose is primarily exercise.