The Plan
Meet at Beatrice and Tony's for a walk from Sturminster Newton to Hinton St Mary.
The Leader
Wendy
Who Turned Up
Wendy, Sue, Trisha, David
The Walk
The weather was forecast to turn wet so we cancelled plan A and met at David's for Plan B. We drove into West Moors and parked Sue's car in the car park as a guard against bad weather after lunch. Then we had coffee at the cafe in the main street. Finally, we drove back to the Inn on the Tin car park in Ferndown. The walk was no more than a mile through the woodland path into West Moors but, by then, it had started raining. Nothing difficult, but enough to deter us from a longer walk. There were no flowers of note, but we did see a large orange fungus that looked just right for a garden gnome to perch on.
After lunch we took the same route back, with just a short detour through Hatchard's Copse. Otherwise, we followed the Castleman Trailway back towards Dolman's Crossing. Once again it was raining, but at least it was a level walk which was in Sue's favour. She did well to complete both the morning and the afternoon jaunts. No photographs this week as we are missing both of our best photographers and the weather wasn't good enough for photography anyway - well, that's our excuse.
The Pub
The Tap and Railway in West Moors. This was our first taste of this particular pub and we were pleasantly surprised. They had a two meals for ten pounds deal which we all went for. The meals would have been classed as good had we paid full price for them. At the special deal price, we have to say they were excellent value. The pie was a "double" with chicken on one side and beef on the other and was excellent.
Wednesday 30 September 2009
Wednesday 23 September 2009
The Wednesday Walk 30th September 2009
The Plan
Meet at Beatrice and Tony's for a walk to High Hall. (This walk always makes me think of the Lone Ranger. High Hall Silver!!!)
The Leader
Tony and Wendy
Meet at Beatrice and Tony's for a walk to High Hall. (This walk always makes me think of the Lone Ranger. High Hall Silver!!!)
The Leader
Tony and Wendy
Who Turned Up
Beatrice and Tony, Wendy, Sue, Trisha, Ros and David
The Walk
This week we were pleased to welcome Sue back into the walking fraternity, complete with her bionic knee. We set out from Beatrice and Tony's house and got as far as Walford Mill before we had to stop for a cup of coffee. Suitably refreshed, we then continued on our walk across the countryside behind Catley Copse and Wilksworth Farm and then on past High Hall until we reached The Stocks pub at Grange. Laburnum and Fresia. There, I have done my duty in mentioning two flower groups seen in the gardens we passed en-route, and very pretty they were too. The walk was generally flat and dry but we did have to cross quite a few styles.
After lunch, we took the route to the west of Smuggler's Lane, using the opportunity to try something different. At this stage of the walk, Tony seemed to be in control of the navigation and led us back to his house where we enjoyed tea and cake.
The Pub
The Stocks. This is a good pub, one we have visited before. Everyone had a good main meal... except David. The pie crust was far too tough. But, to the credit of the staff, they were very good about it and provided a free sweet to compensate.
Wednesday 16 September 2009
The Wednesday Walk 23rd September 2009
The Plan
Meet at Wendy's for a walk at Studland
The Leader
Trisha and Wendy
Who Turned Up
Trisha, Wendy, Ros, Beatrice and Tony H, David
The Walk
We drove to the Knoll Beach car park at Studland and immediately went to the National Trust cafe for our morning infusion of coffee. We had our priorities right! Suitably refreshed, we then had a short walk on Studland Heath, stopping at the bird hide overlooking Little Sea. That's a lake in the middle of the heath. Wendy spotted some small blue flowers but - surprisingly for Wendy - she couldn't identify them. She later asked the NT guy in the cafe but he didn't know either. She has promised to find out from her stock of flower books before next week! From a high point overlooking the beach (not the nudist section, I hasten to add) we looked out towards Old Harry Rocks and saw a Royal Marine landing craft making its way into Studland Bay. We also saw the Condor SeaCat heading down towards the Channel islands and the Waverly paddle steamer heading back towards Bournemouth.
We arrived back at the NT cafe for lunch. Afterwards, we headed off to the west of Knoll Beach towards Fort Henry. This is the blockhouse where Churchill watched Operation Smash - a live ammunition attack on Studland Bay in preparation for the D Day landings. We then walked up to Studland village and crossed the main road to make our way onto the other heathland. We didn't get as far as the Agglestone rock but it was a warm and pleasant walk for all that.
On the drive back to Wendy's house, Trisha, Tony and David stopped at Lytchett Minster to gather conkers, something to take us nicely back to our school days! Tea and cakes were served at Wendy's to round off a very enjoyable day.
The Pub
Not a pub, but a National Trust cafe at Knoll Beach. The eating area seemed smaller than we recalled from a previous visit, but the food was very palatable. Sadly, they had no pies but one Cornish walker was able to enjoy a pastie. There was a mix-up over a bottle of beer mistakenly thought to be cider. When the error was pointed out, the staff were very quick to shoulder the blame and supply other drinks.
Meet at Wendy's for a walk at Studland
The Leader
Trisha and Wendy
Who Turned Up
Trisha, Wendy, Ros, Beatrice and Tony H, David
The Walk
We drove to the Knoll Beach car park at Studland and immediately went to the National Trust cafe for our morning infusion of coffee. We had our priorities right! Suitably refreshed, we then had a short walk on Studland Heath, stopping at the bird hide overlooking Little Sea. That's a lake in the middle of the heath. Wendy spotted some small blue flowers but - surprisingly for Wendy - she couldn't identify them. She later asked the NT guy in the cafe but he didn't know either. She has promised to find out from her stock of flower books before next week! From a high point overlooking the beach (not the nudist section, I hasten to add) we looked out towards Old Harry Rocks and saw a Royal Marine landing craft making its way into Studland Bay. We also saw the Condor SeaCat heading down towards the Channel islands and the Waverly paddle steamer heading back towards Bournemouth.
We arrived back at the NT cafe for lunch. Afterwards, we headed off to the west of Knoll Beach towards Fort Henry. This is the blockhouse where Churchill watched Operation Smash - a live ammunition attack on Studland Bay in preparation for the D Day landings. We then walked up to Studland village and crossed the main road to make our way onto the other heathland. We didn't get as far as the Agglestone rock but it was a warm and pleasant walk for all that.
On the drive back to Wendy's house, Trisha, Tony and David stopped at Lytchett Minster to gather conkers, something to take us nicely back to our school days! Tea and cakes were served at Wendy's to round off a very enjoyable day.
The Pub
Not a pub, but a National Trust cafe at Knoll Beach. The eating area seemed smaller than we recalled from a previous visit, but the food was very palatable. Sadly, they had no pies but one Cornish walker was able to enjoy a pastie. There was a mix-up over a bottle of beer mistakenly thought to be cider. When the error was pointed out, the staff were very quick to shoulder the blame and supply other drinks.
Wednesday 9 September 2009
The Wednesday Walk 16th September 2009
The Plan
Meet at David's for a walk in the forest.
The Leader
Trudy
Who Turned Up
Trudy, Wendy, Beatrice, Diane, Tony R, Trisha and David
The Walk
For once the met forecasters got it right. They said it would be a nice day and it was. We parked at the Verely car park in the New Forest and set off towards Burley. For our overseas readers I should explain that the New Forest is not new and much of it isn't forested. Which is why the start of the walk was over open heathland with views right down to the coast at Bournemouth. There was a spot of wind when we were at the highest point of the walk, but otherwise it was a very pleasant jaunt into Burley village. This is a classic New Forest spot with ponies roving wild through the streets. We had planned on eating at the Queen's Head but our walk brought us into the village alongside the Burley Inn. We had not eaten here before so decided to give it a try.
After lunch we set off on another route that took us through an area of impressive country houses, including one place which we decided would look ideal in an Agatha Christie murder mystery. We could just picture the maid screaming from a window, "The butler's killed 'is lordship!"
Unfortunately, a little farther on, the route Trudy planned was closed by logging operations so we had to make an unexpected detour and - let's be honest about it - were a little unsure of our position at times. But we were never lost. We always knew where we had come from and where we were going to. In the event Trudy decided that the detour was probably less arduous than the route she planned. We think we walked between 6.5 and 7 miles.
The Pub
The Burley Inn. This was somewhere new for us and a place to keep in mind for future walks. We sat in a dark part of the pub interior and next time we would choose the lighter annex. Those who had the cous cous were not impressed but the other meals were fine. David's pie was much appreciated. The disappointment came from not finishing Trisha's three crossword puzzles.
Meet at David's for a walk in the forest.
The Leader
Trudy
Who Turned Up
Trudy, Wendy, Beatrice, Diane, Tony R, Trisha and David
The Walk
For once the met forecasters got it right. They said it would be a nice day and it was. We parked at the Verely car park in the New Forest and set off towards Burley. For our overseas readers I should explain that the New Forest is not new and much of it isn't forested. Which is why the start of the walk was over open heathland with views right down to the coast at Bournemouth. There was a spot of wind when we were at the highest point of the walk, but otherwise it was a very pleasant jaunt into Burley village. This is a classic New Forest spot with ponies roving wild through the streets. We had planned on eating at the Queen's Head but our walk brought us into the village alongside the Burley Inn. We had not eaten here before so decided to give it a try.
After lunch we set off on another route that took us through an area of impressive country houses, including one place which we decided would look ideal in an Agatha Christie murder mystery. We could just picture the maid screaming from a window, "The butler's killed 'is lordship!"
Unfortunately, a little farther on, the route Trudy planned was closed by logging operations so we had to make an unexpected detour and - let's be honest about it - were a little unsure of our position at times. But we were never lost. We always knew where we had come from and where we were going to. In the event Trudy decided that the detour was probably less arduous than the route she planned. We think we walked between 6.5 and 7 miles.
The Pub
The Burley Inn. This was somewhere new for us and a place to keep in mind for future walks. We sat in a dark part of the pub interior and next time we would choose the lighter annex. Those who had the cous cous were not impressed but the other meals were fine. David's pie was much appreciated. The disappointment came from not finishing Trisha's three crossword puzzles.
The Wednesday Walk 9th September 2009
The Plan
To meet at Beatrice and Tony's for a walk to Tarrant Monkton.
The Leader
Trudy
Who Turned Up
Trudy, Beatrice, Tony H, Diane, Tony R, Trisha, David.
The Walk
Today we witnessed the Met Office Custard Pie of the Year award for accurate forecasting. We left home expecting bright blue skies and were greeted initially with rain. Fortunately it didn't last, but we never did see the sunshine until the walk was completed.
We drove in two cars to Manswood. For those who don't know it, this is a tiny country village with just a few thatched cottages. Despite that we were unable to redezvous the two cars! Worse still, our mobile phones were beyond signal coverage so we could not even call one another. So the two cars drove around country lanes, the occupants scanning the horizon for any signs of the other vehicle. The Carry On film makers would have had a field day!!
Once we had made contact, we set off from a lay-by at the end of the village in the direction of Tarrant Monkton. Highlights of todays walk included smelly pigs (Diane tried talking to them but they didn't seem bothered by their smell) dung beetles and a butterfly that looked dead until Tony threw it into the air.
There were no stiles on today's walk, no muddy fields or paths and no steep hills. All-in-all it was a jolly good walk.
Thanks to Beatrice and Tony for tea and cakes to nicely round of the day.
The Pub
The Langton Arms at Tarrant Monkton. The food here was excellent, including a very nice pie! It was, however, a little pricey. The coffee was very good (also pricey) and the chocolates that went with it were delicious. We asked at the reception desk where we could buy some and were told we couldn't. The owners made them by hand.
The Wednesday Walk 2nd September 2009
The Plan
To meet at Beatrice and Tony’s for walk to Sturminster Newton
The Leader
Wendy
Who Turned Up
Trudy, Beatrice, Tony, Diane, Tony, Wendy, Ros
The Walk
(Write-up by Ros)
As we set off for Fiddleford Manor car park, the clouds were very threatening so we were armed with plenty of wet weather gear! We walked through the Piddle woods to Dirty gate. As we approached Broad Oak the heavens opened and we took shelter in a community orchard small hut which explained the types of apples. There were several types of different apples and we were invited to help ourselves! They were at the peak of ripeness and very tasty. We continued on the road to the Bull at Sturminster Newton.
After lunch the rain settled in for the afternoon. We walked up through the town checking out the Railway Gardens for a possible future picnic spot. We continued along the old railway line back to Fiddleford Manor. It was quite sheltered and we didn’t get too wet.
A welcoming cup of tea and very little cake at Beatrice and Tony’s finished off a lovely but damp day.
After lunch the rain settled in for the afternoon. We walked up through the town checking out the Railway Gardens for a possible future picnic spot. We continued along the old railway line back to Fiddleford Manor. It was quite sheltered and we didn’t get too wet.
A welcoming cup of tea and very little cake at Beatrice and Tony’s finished off a lovely but damp day.
The Pub
The Bull, Sturminster Newton. As we were all counting the calories (well most of us) the menu was varied and even Tony H opted for chicken rather than the usual faggots! The food was excellent and no pies were consumed.
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