18 June 1866 – 24 June 1866

Very fine. Train to Lyndhurst Road and walk into Forest — beeches cut down — warm — pretty country towards Dibden and Southampton. Tents, with folk like Gypsies (but they say no\ peel- ing rushes for rushlights : you leave a strip of green on the pith for backbone. Beaulieu, the Duke's park, old church and ruins. Village, tide in. Cottage hung with roses, man in front garden tells me he has lived there fifty-three years. I praise the beauty and quiet, but he often thinks he * ought to a'pushed out into the world — gone to London or some large place.' Boys fishing for bass. The miller's, a piano going inside (' it is the miller's daughter,' no doubt). Rasher and ale at the inn. The young lady at the bar with short curls and towny air finds it ' very dull here.' I walk away at 20 to 9, sunset light over heath and forest, long road. The night-jar whirring.