This time, the Rooster team headed into the heart of the New Forest for a day of fresh air, muddy boots and the kind of conversations that only seem to happen when you leave your desks behind for a while.

And just like the previous Reboots, it reminded us why these days matter so much.

 

Trading screens for the New Forest

With spring finally blooming, the timing couldn’t have been better. The forest was full of colour, with fresh flowers along the paths and sunlight breaking through the trees as we set off.

Before long, we were properly immersed in the natural beauty of this national park. One of the best things about the New Forest is how varied the landscape is. One minute you’re following open gravel and sandy tracks beneath towering trees, the next you’re trekking through muddy bogs, balancing across rivers and ultimately trying to avoid soaking your shoes and socks completely.

Naturally, some of us were more successful at this task than others!

 

Wildlife, wandering and a few unexpected visitors

The New Forest always feels full of wildlife, and this walk was no exception.

Throughout the day, we passed wandering ponies grazing beside the trails, curious cows watching us from across the fields, and even donkeys relaxing in one of the pub gardens we stopped at. This chapter was definitely our wildest and most unpredictable route yet!

As the miles ticked by, smaller groups naturally formed and shifted throughout the walk, with conversations changing just as often as the scenery around us. That’s one of the things we enjoy most about these days: the chance to connect across the agency in a way that doesn’t necessarily happen during the working week.

Our most wild and adventurous walk yet

Three pubs, one mission

Of course, no Rooster Reboot would be complete without a pub stop or two.

Or in this case… three.

Each one gave us the opportunity to regroup, refuel and rest our legs before heading back out onto the trails. One particular highlight was discovering what may well have been the best chips in the New Forest… a bold claim, we know, but they absolutely hit the spot after a long day of walking.

Gathering around a table after several miles outdoors always feels like an important part of the experience. It’s where we get the opportunity to come back together and share some fun moments. And this is when the day really starts to take shape as a collective experience, becoming a memory we can share when we return to the office.

 

Returning recharged

Chapter 3 reminded us once again that creativity doesn’t always come from sitting at a desk. Sometimes it comes from getting outside, exploring somewhere new and spending uninterrupted time together as a team.

A little muddier than before? Definitely.

But was it worth it? Absolutely.