Feb 2020 - Great walk today before the rain, in a part of the south New Forest I'd never explored. After several attractive sections of woodland, it was the blustery coast, protected somewhat by the Isle of Wight. Some great Oyster Catchers and Curlews doing fine impressions of Mudlarks! I was unaware of Lepe's significance as far as D-Day was concerned. Loads of sites of interest here. Prior to the invasion of Normandy in June 1944, Lepe was used as a secret manufacturing site. Six massive concrete caissons were built here and later towed across the English Channel where they formed part of the artificial Mulberry harbours after D-Day. Lepe was also one of the many places on the south coast of England used for the embarkation of troops and equipment for the invasion. Concrete mats like big chocolate blocks were used to reinforce the shingle beach for heavy traffic. Some of these mats can still be seen today along with pier remnants, bollards and various concrete and brick structures. Also, Lepe beach was also the point where PLUTO (Pipelines Under The Ocean) left the mainland: it carried fuel across to the Isle of Wight and under the English Channel to the Allied forces in Normandy and beyond. Came across a building with 'Nelson Drank Here' on it but couldn't find any internet references, so no idea if it was Horatio or not! The rain started the moment I got back to the car - timing!