Or how I lead Dolly astray by trespassing!

Yesterday was going to be another scorcher. What better time to head off to Whitehills Wood to look for the hidden pond.

As we pulled into the small car park I was pleasantly surprised that there were no other cars.

I’m not saying I’m anti-social. But less people means more opportunities to spot the inhabitants of the wood.

We got ready (basically putting on my trail shoes, tarp hat, and haversack) and headed off into the beckoning shade of the woods.

It wasn’t long before we were at the point of the route to go off path looking for the pond on the map.

We passed the mysterious serial killers murder hole, or whatever you want to call it that we discovered on our last trip here.

In a what would seem a failed attempt to use “natural” navigation techniques to find the pond we continued straight along some deer paths.

My logic went if there was indeed still a pond in these woods then the local wildlife would have trails that would lead me to it.

A solid theory I thought.

As we followed one such “path” we stumbled upon a most definitely man made path.

Dolly and I headed left along it looking for another deer path heading in the direction of the pond.

I thought we had found one. But sadly it too like our previous visit ran into a wall of rhododendrons and trees.

It was at this point that I thought we had been defeated once again. So we stopped to for refreshments and to enjoy our shaded surroundings.

After packing up we retraced our steps back to the man made path. But instead of then heading back to the car I decided to follow the path to see where it came out.

But not too far along we came across an even better path that followed a stream.

Maybe this stream fed into the pond!

So we headed left following the path/stream. Five minutes later we were greeted by an amazing, beautiful pond and clearing.

It even had fish in it.

There was an even bigger surprise of a building there in the style of a mausoleum.

This was such a pretty spot. I’d love to wild camp here.

Dolly and I had been so close that if we had gone right earlier we’d have been having our lunch in this hidden gem.

After taking in the serenity and beauty of this spot we headed back.

More exploring was required where did the path come out?

We followed it and the stream to the edge of the woods heading to a river, and come across a gate that was locked!

Looking at the sign on the opposite side of the gate, it would appear we had been unintentionally trespassing!

This section of wood and the pond belonged to the Castle Rising estate and was not open to the public.

We turned round to retrace our steps to the spot we originally joined the path. Once there it was deer tracks back to the woods we were allowed in.

Why there is no signage up in the woods is a mystery to me.

After a brief water stop for Dolly we made our way back to the car.

Back at the car we were still the only vehicle there.

Had we been the only ones in the woods while we were there?

This had been a most excellent walk. Next time we will try and find a route to the other pond and the river.