Blackberries of the thornless variety are growing at either end of the raspberry wires with extra support from two wooden arches, hastily built a couple of years ago in a, ‘Let’s build an arch’ moment. Of all the soft fruit they are the last to ripen, so that by the time you pick the leaves are already turning red round the edges and crisp as you move them aside to find a ripe berry.
Berries Part One - by Barbara Claridge
The New Forest: Setting, Sanctuary and the Supernatural - by Kathryn Barton
In 2018 I became a Master of Philosophy in Creative Writing. As part of my thesis I was required to provide a collection of short stories linked by place. I chose the New Forest, in particular the area in and around Lyndhurst. Pure laziness on my part: I live there, so not too much on-the-ground research required.