It's very dark in Sherwood Forest at night

I was quite keen to explore Robin Hood country, so when the Youth Hostel was offering £10 beds, I jumped at the chance. It's just a shame that they only had one night for me, but never mind I had two good days walking out of it. Friday was 17 miles and Saturday was 13.5. The hostel is a purpose built building on the edge of Edwinstowe village and close to Sherwood Forest Country Park and the Major Oak.

The Art and Craft Centre is housed in a converted coach house and stables, next to the hostel. It is the former Edwinstowe Hall. There are eleven craft studios enclosed by a glass roof foyer, and five more studios outside with a picnic area.

This fabulous steel gate is at the left hand side of the building, the art work is quite amazing, I love it.

Before I start my walk I need to do the tourist bit and visit the Major Oak. This tree is thought to be 800 years old. It's trunk circumference is 33 feet and it's branches spread to 92 feet. Steel poles have been erected to support the sprawling branches.

Off I went to explore some of the 450 acres of Sherwood Forest. Those of you who have read my previous reports of trying to find my way in a forest will remember that I am not very good at it. Never the less I am willing to have another go as this forest seems to have very well defined paths, including the easy to follow Robin Hoods Way. So off I went with map in hand. 

I seemed to have been walking for quite a long way, and wasn't really sure if I was heading in the right direction. My plan was to walk westbound, then turn right for a mile or two, then head for the village of Budby, through Duncan Wood and Budby Corner Plantation to Clumber Lake and Park. There was a point where I was a bit confused, but I came across a strolling couple who put me on the right track for Budby. I really must remember to put my compass in my bag next time. 

This is an old fashioned post box still in use in Budby. Isn't it lovely.  

This ornate iron gate must have been at the entrance to a house on a large estate at one time, but now the railings are incomplete and you can walk round it to the other side. The house is hidden in the trees to the left hand side of it.  

This is Clumber Bridge which goes over the bottom end of Clumber Lake. Some of the stonework has been recently restored.   

And here we have a map to the park, it is managed by the National Trust. There are 3,800 acres of picturesque parklands and gardens, woodlands and a lake to explore. I'll just have a half hour or so, as I still have a lot more walking to do if I am going to stick to my original plan.   

This is the stable yard which has recently been refurbished.

The Anglican Church of St Mary the Virgin is a grade 1 listed building. It's beautiful. 

Time was pressing on so I left the park at Hardwick Village and walked over this footbridge, towards the main A614 road. The cars have to drive through the water here as it tumbles over the minor road and down the weir towards the River Poulter. It was still lovely and sunny, I have been lucky with the weather.

By this time I realised that my original plan will have to be amended to take in a shorter route back. I wanted to go down the long distance footpath to see Robin Hoods cave then follow the River Maun to New Ollerton and back to Edwinstowe, but I could see that I was going to run out of daylight if I attempted that. So I crossed over the A614 and took the road past Shepherds Lodge and Thoresby, back to Budby. From there on some of it would be retracing my steps, but looking for a short cut through the forest back to the Major Oak. The sun was low in the sky, it wouldn't be long before it sank out of sight, I wondered if I would make it back before it got completely dark. I took this last photo, and stepped up my pace, I just had to get back as quickly as I could, or I would be in trouble.  

I remembered some of the route back, but to be honest, all the paths look pretty much the same. I was beginning to regret my decision to push hard to Clumber and Hardwick, maybe I should have taken a shorter route, but my curiosity overrulled my head, so I pressed on.

By now I was running out of daylight very quickly, the beautiful red sunset had disappeared in minutes. Oh heck, I didn't put my head torch in my bag, now what do I do. I could just about make out the blackness of the path I was following, I focused on it, head down, just march and get out of this flippin forest. To be honest I wasn't scared, I had got myself into this mess, no point in freaking out, I had to get myself out of there. Even if I rang for help I wouldn't be able to tell anyone where I was, it was up to me to sort it out. I almost bumped into a signpost, and shone the light from my phone up to it to read it. One of the pointers said Youth Hostel 1.5 miles. I cheered, I should be back in about half an hour. 

From then on I focussed on walking in a straight line on that path. My pace quickened, as I imagined the lights of the hostel coming into view. But they didn't. I seemed to be walking for ages. There's one good thing about walking in the dark, you can have a pee anywhere, ha ha. 

Eventually, up ahead I could see the headlights of cars on a road, thank goodness for that, I must be getting somewhere near civilisation. I came out of the forest onto a road, but where was I, and what direction should I go, left of right. My instincts told me to go right. It was a long straight road so cars were coming down it pretty fast, I had to keep leaping onto the grass verge as they blinded me with their headlights. 

Whilst stumbling along I kept my eyes to the ground so as not to trip over anything. I spotted what looked like a small soggy wet jewellery box in the long grass, and kicked it to turn it over. There was something in it so I picked it up and opened it. I was amazed to find a pretty necklace, a sliver chain with a crystal pendant hanging from it. I don't know how I do it, all these freebees find me. That necklace could have laid there for years without anyone ever finding it, then I come along in the pitch black, and just happen to look down at that moment, and bingo. Amazing. I doubt very much that it is worth anything, it looks like a piece of costume jewellery, I wounder how it came to be there, someone must have lobbed it out of a car window. 

It was 7.30pm when I arrived back at the hostel. I had made the right decision to turn right onto the road, I eventually came to the brown tourist sign pointing to the hostel and I could see the lights. Yay, I have done it. I was mighty pleased with myself that I had kept my cool, and found the way back in the pitch black without a torch. Flaming forests, I ought to keep out of them in future, ha ha.