Winter wonderland

On a dreary January day, at least the gorse provides a splash of colour looking across Canada Common.
The common land is within the New Forest National Park, yet sits cheek by jowl to the village of Wellow which straddles the busy A36 road midway between Southampton and Salisbury which is a primed traffic route between south Wales and Southampton Docks.
The common provides an attractive walk for dog owners, and also for villages who delight in walking.
Although this time of year, you dare not stray too far from recognized paths, because there are many uninviting areas of marshland where you can soon find yourself in trouble and developing a sinking feeling if you dare to cross.
Best stick to the recognized paths and walkways, and although muddy underfoot at least does not encroach on the marshland.
The gorse provides a sense of relief. Windy, open moors or coastal grasslands covered in bright yellow gorse and purple heathers are synonymous with what we call 'wild' landscapes. Yet gorse can be seen in all kinds of habitats from heaths and commons to towns and gardens.

Here it has already burst into flower in January and the vivid colour can be expected to last through till June. What is significant on dreary days of January is that in the New Forest and similar areas round the country it provides a vibrant sense of natural beauty which you cannot fail to appreciate.