The Wednesday Walk 5th November 2008

The Plan
Meet at David's for one of Trudy's New Forest walks.

The Leader
Trudy

Who Turned Up
Trudy, Wendy, Ros and David

The Walk
We began by driving to In Excess for a coffee. It's the only place we know where you can still get a cup of good, tasty coffee for under a pound. Then we drove on along the A31 and took the Stoney Cross turn-off. We continued along that road to the point where it crosses the B3078 and parked in a woodland car park there. Then we set off cross country towards Nomansland. At first we were in open country and knew exactly where we were. But we quickly dived into woodland and that was where the actual pathways and the map didn't agree. It was an interesting walk with beautiful autumn colours everywhere. We also came up against some typical autumnal muddy paths which tested the strength of our walking boots. We had booked a table at the pub for one thirty and were getting worried about our lunch as the paths deviated more and more from the map. More by luck than judgement we walked in the pub door at exactly one thirty. Not a minute before and not a minute after.
After lunch. we decided to take a shorter route back through the woods and again were confused by the differences between the actual paths and the map. At one point we had to stop and double back to an earlier path. But, once again, luck was on our side and eventually we came out exactly where we were headed for.
Overall, it was a good walk and a useful one as we now know the pitfalls of that route through the woods. Next time we'll go prepared.

The Pub
The Lamb Inn at Nomansand. A pleasant pub on the edge of a small country village. This was our first visit here and we noted that it was well patronised by senior citizens. The food was excellent and not too expensive. David's huge chicken and ham pie with veg and potatoes was £8.95. He couldn't finish it.

The Wednesday Walk 29th October 2008

The Plan

To meet at Ros's and walk from Wareham

The Leader

Wendy

Who Turned Up

Wendy, Ros, Trudy, Brian and David

The Walk

It was a cold, crisp morning with clear blue skies. Other parts of the country were suffering from an early onslaught of snow. For us, it was perfect weather for walking. We drove to Wareham and parked near the hospital. Our walk took us across the common, over the River Piddle by the old mill and then beneath the by-pass road. At a farmyard, we encountered some treacherous mud but managed to get through it without any injuries. After that, we walked on through quiet coutryside and chilly autumn-leaved woodland. Tony, Beatrice, Trisha and Pauline were waiting for us at the Silent Woman. That's a pub, not a comment on any of our friends. After lunch, we walked along a different route that took us back to Wareham via the golf course. That's where we met our only problem. We got into a housing estate and had to ask for directions to get out again. Overall, it was a very pleasant walk on a very pleasant day. We drove back to Ros's house for tea and biscuits (or was it cakes?) where Tony and Beatrice were again waiting for us.

The Pub

The Silent Woman. We have eaten here before and found the food to be good. David's steak and Guiness pie and Tony's live and bacon were excellent. But Wendy and Brian had soup which they found to be tasteless. Quite rightly, they were told they did not have to pay for it. On the up side, the toilets were spotless.

The Wednesday Walk 22nd October 2008

The Plan
To meet at Ros's house. The walk to be decided when we see how the weather pans out.

The Leader

Brian

Who Turned Up

Brian, Wendy, Ros, Sue, Trudy and David to start with. Beatrice and Tony joined us at lunchtime.

The Walk

We met at Ros's house and drove in two cars to the Arne car park. The weather was bright, sunny and crisp - just right for a walk around the Arne nature reserve. Our walk took us down towards the shore where we saw a plethora of birds and numerous deer. The tide was out which meant we saw birds on the mudflats.

We drove back to the Halfway Inn for lunch, where we met Beatrice and Tony. After lunch we returned to the car park and did another walk in the opposite direction to the morning. Beatrice waited at the car park while Tony joined in the walk.

It was a very pleasant day, the sun was shining and the Arne area was quiet. A very enjoyable walk.

We drove back to Ros's for tea and cakes. On the way, Trudy picked up an extra passenger (Leo) who appeared to enjoy all the attention he was given at Ros's.

The Pub

The Halfway Inn. The atmosphere was pleasant and the food was very good but the prices have gone up. David's Steak and Ale pie cost £10. Probably the most he has ever spent on a pie. At least he managed to eat it without spilling any.

Tony and Beatrice were already at the pub when we arrived - Beatrice on crutches after her recent accident.

The Wednesday Walk 15th October 2008

The Plan
To meet at David's for a walk from Downton

The Leader
Wendy

Who Turned Up
Wendy, Ros, Sue, Diane, Trudy and David

The Walk
The forecast was wet but reality enured we stayed dry all day and even had a hint of sunshine in the afternoon. We drove to Downton and parked in The Moot car park. From there we took the usual route across country to Woodfalls. It was a little muddy in parts but nothing serious and still a pleasant walk. We had memories of a very muddy, narrow path on the return journey. The last time we did this walk, Trudy and David climbed a fence to avoid that particular muddy path and then had difficulty getting back on the right trail. So, after lunch, Wendy decided on an alternative route back to Downton. It was certainly less sticky, but we came up against a part that was too overgrown to get past. We also came across some fly-tipping right in the middle of the path near a traveller's camp. We did a detour to get past the overgrown area. Shortly afterwards, we found primroses in bloom - and this is October!

The Pub
The Old Inn at Woodfalls. Tel: 01725 510422. We have eaten here before and always found the food good. Three of the ladies opted for a two-course special. David's pie was excellent.

The Wednesday Walk 8th October 2008

The Plan
To meet at David's house and walk in the New Forest

The Leader
Brian

Who Turned Up
Ros, Brian, Tony and Beatrice, Pam and Archie

The Walk (Written by Ros)
The weather was just perfect for a walk in the Forest. Unfortunately David was unable to change his flu jab appointment, so was unable to join us. We drove to the Red Shoot where we met Pam and Archie. We then walked up the hill towards Linford Bottom and met some quite noisy heifers on route. The sun was warm so this resulted in us peeling off our jackets etc. We turned left at Linford Bottom and did a circular route back to the Red Shoot. In the afternoon we headed off opposite the pub up the hill, where the going was quite muddy. We circled once again back to the pub. Archie thoroughly enjoyed his walk and came back easily after he had spoken to other walkers and dogs! A very sociable dog. Afterwards we returned to David’s where a very welcome cup of tea and cakes awaited us.

The Pub
The Red Shoot. We had a very enjoyable meal, a little more expensive than some, but we all agreed you get what you pay for. Archie enjoyed his bone Pam had given him for his lunch! Tony pointed out a Bentley sports coupe car parked outside the pub that was cherry red with a cream leather interior. The owner was not going to risk putting it in the car park. If Brian wins the lottery tonight he is going to give his new Jazz to Tony! In deference to Archie, the pub had free dog biscuits on the counter.

The Wednesday Walk 1st October 2008

The Plan
Winterborne Tomson to The World's End

The Leader
Wendy

Who Turned Up
Wendy, Ros, Trudy, Beatrice, Sue, Trisha, Tony, David and Diane from lunch onwards

The Walk
There was a distinct possibility of rain, so we decided to alter the plan and walk from Turnerspuddle to Bere Regis. It has more shelter than the original plan. Diane was unable to do the morning walk as she had hurt her shoulder and needed to go to Wimborne Hospital. Wendy still has her broken wrist in plaster. And David still has the left side of his face in non-working order. Thankfully, the six other walkers were in a healthy condition. Wendy decided against doing "Michael's Walk" as the road to Turnerspuddle was made lethal with a whole string of high-speed tractors carrying heavy loads. However, the woodland walk was very pleasant and the trees sheltered us when the rain came on. Diane arrived at the pub shortly after us and joined us for the afternoon walk alongside the watercress beds and on to Turnerspuddle. Again, it was a very pleasant walk and this time we escaped the rain. Afterwards, we went back to Beatrice and Tony's for tea and rock cakes.

The Pub
The Royal Oak at Bere Regis. We have eaten here before and found the food to be good. We were not disappointed this time. David finally got to enjoy a pie again and no one commented on him drinking his beer through a straw. Wendy did stirling work eating with a broken wrist. Diane coped well with her damaged shoulder. And, of course, the healthy walkers all enjoyed a good meal.