Cycling, Singing, and Spotting Deer

Cycling through the New Forest is one of those magical experiences that Gabriel and I never get tired of. The combination of beautiful landscapes, wildlife, and the open road always makes for a perfect day out. This time, our destination was Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary, and we were lucky enough to time our visit perfectly for some spectacular deer spotting.

The Beauty of Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary

Once we arrived at Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary, we parked our bikes. The sight that greeted us was breathtaking—dozens of deer, peacefully grazing in the meadow. Their coats gleamed in the sunlight, and they moved with such grace and calm, completely unbothered by the few visitors quietly watching from afar.

Gabriel was mesmerised, leaning on the railings and staring out at the herd. “They’re beautiful, aren’t they, Mum?” he whispered, as though afraid to disturb them. I nodded, feeling a sense of awe myself. It’s not every day you get to see so many deer up close, and we stood there for a while, just soaking it all in.

Pedalling with a Song

Gabriel has really grown in confidence with his cycling, especially when it comes to hills. I noticed, as we approached a particularly steep incline, he began singing to himself—a little tune to keep his spirits up as he powered through. I couldn’t help but smile, hearing his voice rise and fall with each pedal stroke. It was a sweet moment, and it reminded me of how quickly he’s growing, finding his own ways to push through challenges.

We made it to the top of the hill with a sense of triumph, and Gabriel’s grin said it all. “That hill wasn’t so bad!” he declared, clearly proud of himself.

Ice Cream in Burley and Pony Traffic Jams

After the bike ride we drove towards Burley, a charming village nestled in the heart of the New Forest, we were looking forward to a much promised ice cream!

As we neared the village, we encountered one of the New Forest’s most delightful quirks—a group of ponies had decided to casually cross the road, causing an instant traffic jam. But no one seemed to mind; in fact, everyone in the cars seemed to be enjoying the impromptu pony parade. We pulled over and watched as the ponies trotted by, completely indifferent to the chaos they were causing. “They don’t care at all, do they?” Gabriel laughed, and I had to agree—New Forest ponies really do rule the roads.

Finally, we made it to Burley and treated ourselves to some well-earned ice cream. We sat outside, and talked about the deer, the ponies, and Gabriel’s impressive hill-climbing. It was one of those perfect moments where everything just feels right.

Bambi Burgers for Tea?

Before heading home, we popped into a local delicatessen, where I spotted venison burgers. I couldn’t resist grabbing some for dinner, though Gabriel gave me a funny look when I placed them in the basket. “Mum, are those from the deer we saw today?” he asked, clearly torn.

I explained that they might have been, though it’s always hard to know for sure. Gabriel thought about it for a moment and then, with a cheeky grin, dubbed them “Bambi Burgers.” The name stuck, and when it came time for dinner, Gabriel was a little hesitant. “I’m not sure I want to eat them,” he said thoughtfully, but he did try a bite—and admitted they were pretty tasty.

A Day to Remember

Our cycling day in the New Forest had it all—beautiful scenery, close encounters with wildlife, and the kind of simple pleasures (like ice cream and pony traffic jams) that make life feel so full. Watching Gabriel grow stronger on his bike and hearing him sing his way up hills was a reminder of how much joy there is in these shared adventures.

And while the "Bambi Burgers" added a twist to our day, it was really the sight of those majestic deer and Gabriel’s wide-eyed wonder that made this outing so special. As we settled in for the evening, with tired legs and happy hearts, I knew this was another adventure we’d both remember for a long time.