The Wednesday Walk 25th August 2010

The Plan
Abandoned due weather

The Leader
Wendy

Who Turned Up
Wendy, Sue, Trudy, Diane and Tony R, David
Later joined by Trisha, Beatrice and Tony H

The Walk
Summer? This is summer? After months of overly dry weather, leaving parched lawns in evidence throughout the region, we are suddenly reimbursed with all the water we have been deprived of. All at once.
The original walking plan was thrown out the window and we opted to drive to Dorchester for a walk that would offer a few escape routes into shops and cafes. We began with a coffee stop in a quaint tea room reputed to be the very room in which "Hanging" Judge Jeffries ordered the deaths of rebels from the Monmouth Rebellion. That's a dark piece of English history, Marion. We don't execute people in public so readily nowadays unless they appear on reality TV shows.
We then set off in the rain towards The Sun Inn where they do a nice line in carveries. Along the way, our assessent of the weather was confirmed when we saw a long line of ducks on the river sheltering in the lee of a wall (see photo). Over lunch, we were joined by Beatrice and Tony as well as Trisha. The weather then got worse and we eyed it with suspicion. Trisha opted to join the hardy walkers as they trudged back to the cars while Tony kindly offered to drive the less hardy souls directly back to Wendy's house.
The return walk was wet and once again even the ducks were taking shelter. Wendy kindly provided tea and cakes to warm the souls of the damp and bedraggled walkers.


The Pub

The Sun Inn. It was busy - probably because of the weather - but the food was good.Diane and Tony R and David opted for the carvery beef and found it exceptionally good.

The Wednesday Walk 18th August 2010

This week's write-up courtesy of Diane

The Plan
Salisbury to Old Sarum

The Leader
Wendy

Who turned up
Trudy ,Sue, Wendy, Tony H, Beatrice, Tony, Diane and Jacky

The Walk
We drove to Salisbury in two cars and took the park and ride on the Ringwood road.. This proved economical as we could use our bus passes fro the ride into Salisbury. We set off from M&S and walked towards the river. We followed the 45 cycle path along the Avon and then branched onto a very pleasant footpath, which continued by the river. .There were swans and large carp to be seen together with various breeds of duck and other water fowl. The walk continue up through a path towards Old Sarum where we stopped for lunch at the Harvester. Our return journey was through fields and paths on the other side of the river. Sue stopped for some shopping at Lakeland and then we proceeded to the stop to take the bus back to our cars. Beatrice as usual provided us with an excellent tea and cakes.                    .
The Pub
Very pleasant surroundings and good service. We all ate from the Early Starter Menu which included the excellent salad plus main dish for between £5-£6.. We were all very full and couldn’t manage a pudding!!

              


                

The Wednesday Walk 11th August 2010

This week's write-up courtesy of Wendy

THE PLAN
To walk from Winterborne Tomson to Almer

THE LEADER
Wendy

WHO TURNED UP
Wendy, Trudy, Beatrice, Tony H, Jackie, Sue, Diane and Tony.

THE WALK
We parked at first in a lay-by near the church at Winterborne Tomson and were about to set off when a very officious lady informed us it was private land and would we park further down the lane in the church car park. Whilst we were waiting for the drivers to return another car stopped and a much more pleasant lady informed us she knew exactly who had told us to leave. We wished the first lady a puncture in the middle of nowhere!! Off we all set along the field path where we came upon two young electricity employees, tree cutting. Their supposed supervisor sunbathing minus t-shirt on the top of his van! See photo above. (We are thinking of sending this to Scottish and Southern ). Tony said that it wouldn’t have happened in his day! We passed several pretty farm cottages and the private chapel of Anderson (with public burial grounds). We continued through several lanes and fields with goats ,sheep and very pretty new born calves. This direction took us past the pretty church at Winterborne Zelston which has an unusual picket fence and a wooden barrel shaped kissing gate. We crossed the busy A31and headed towards The Worlds End where we stopped for lunch. Trisha met up with us here as she wasn’t walking. She had hurt herself the day before and was still sore, Actually we were a sorry band -Tony had a gammy ankle, Trudy fell in the shower and ached all over! However ignoring our aches and pains we set off on our return route. This was a new way and obviously little used. The grass was long and certainly exercised those muscles we didn’t know we had! The way back was longer than usual and Sue’s knee was feeling the strain so we left her sitting comfortably on a wooden bench in the village whilst we carried on to the cars. The church at Winterborne Tomson deserved inspection. Inside there are unusual enclosed wooden pews. The larger at the front for the wealthier families. Servants etc. were left cramped at the rear.

THE PUB
We resisted the offer of doggy biscuits and delicious bonio for £1 advertised at the entrance. The pub has a welcoming atmosphere. Everyone enjoyed their choice and it was served by an efficient young waitress. TWO PIES on offer and no one to eat them!! Roll on next week! Several ordered the delicious mini puds. The loos unusually supplied all baby needs free!

NEXT WEEK.
Meet at Tony and Bea's at 9.30 for a walk at Old Sarum. Bring Bus pass!!

The Wednesday Walk 4th August 2010

The Plan
Walk from Upton Country Park to Beacon Hill

The Leader
Trudy

Who Turned Up
Trudy, Sue, Wendy, Tony H, Beatrice, Tony and Diane.

The Walk
We parked in a field at Upton Country Park as it was a fun day there. We headed out of the park along a nature trail following the dual carriage way. None of us knew this particular part of the walk and it was surprisingly pretty. After passing through an estate we crossed the A35 over a footbridge and continued up through the heath. Trudy spotted a snake and managed to photograph it . Apparently it was a smooth snake. At the top we had wonderful views of the Purbecks, so we stopped for more photo shoots. We continued down the road to the Holme Bush where we stopped for lunch. The timing of this was perfect as it had come on to rain heavily and continued through the lunch. Luckily it had stopped by the time we ready to leave. On our return we took a slight detour and stopped to meet Leo and his Mum with her ponies, more photos of course. Our way back took us on a circular route through more of the heath .

The Pub
Two for £10- excellent value and a pudding for £1. Some of us couldn’t resist! Everyone enjoyed their choices-BUT NO PIES!!! Luckily, the pie-eater was absent from the walk.