The Wednesday Walk 24th November 2010

The Plan
A leisurely stroll from Wimborne to Pamphill

The Leaders
A joint effort

Who Turned Up
Beatrice and Tony, Wendy, Ros, Trudy, David (joined by Trisha and Sue for lunch)

The Walk
After last week's rain, today was ideal for walking. It was very cold, but the sun was shining. We wrapped up warm and set off with the will to enjoy the day. We left our cars parked in Wimborne and walked straight to the cafe at the mill for a cup of coffee / tea. It was probably an unwise move as it put our timing out, but it was - as I said - a cold day and we hadn't yet realised how far we had to walk. Suitably refreshed, we headed across the fields to High Hall. From there we branched left towards unknown territory in the direction of Badbury Rings. I mention the words 'unknown territory' as we knew the general area but not the detail of this particular walk... and no one had a map. It must be emphasised that it was a brilliant walk and a great day for walking but we found ourselves on a country road and didn't really understand where it went. Inevitably, we found ourselves in a field with no way out and had to double back. That was where Wendy took the bull by the horns, stopped a passing motorist and asked where we were. With our gyros now realigned we set off again on the right path. It was now close to the time we were due to meet Trisha and Sue at the Pamphill cafe for lunch, and we couldn't get a signal on our mobile phones. We plodded on - still enjoying the country air - and arrived at the cafe about 55 minutes later than planned.
Sue joined us for the walk after lunch. We were now on home ground as we made our way through Pamphill and down to the River Stour. The photo above shows the sunlight casting its magic over the aumtumn leaves on the trees on this stretch of the walk. We followed a path alongside the river until we came back into Wimborne. Beatrice had driven ahead and had some very welcome cakes and tea waiting for us.

The Cafe
Pamphill Farm. Despite our late arrival the food was good and they had a very good home-made steak and kidney pie. No prizes for guessing who had that!

Important
Meet next week at 1030 at the main gate car park at Upton House for a walk on Upton Heath.

The Wednesday Walk 17th November 2020

The weather today was wet and miserable. The morning weather forcast warned us that parts of Cornwall were flooded and the rain clouds causing it were heading our way. So, we cancelled the planned walk and drove to the Royal Signals Museum at Blandford. Gaining entry was a bit of a bother as we had to go through a full security check, but the museum was filled with interesting goodies. We spent a couple of hours looking round the exhibits and then had a snack lunch in the NAAFI. They didn't have any pies, but we made do with filled hot bagettes and a Cornish pasty, all topped up with mugs of NAAFI tea. Then we spent another hour in the museum before heading back to Wimborne for tea and cakes with Beatrice and Tony. Next week we will aim to do what we didn't do this week - a Pamphill walk.

The Wednesday Walk 10th November 2010

The Plan
A Longham walk

The Leader
None

Who Turned Up
Wendy, Sue, Ros, Trisha, Trusy, Beatrice, Tony H and David.

The Walk
We met in the coffee shop at Haskins Garden Centre and ensured we had a nice warm drink inside before we sallied forth. The day started out brilliant: clear blue skies with not a hint of cloud, but it was cold. What else can we expect at this time of the year? After the coffee stop, we shifted our cars to the layby near the Angel pub and set off along the nicely laid out paths through the woodland alongside the Poor Common at Ferndown. The route took us out at West Parley and then we walked down to the River Stour and made our way alongside the river to The Bridge House Hotel.
After lunch we crossed over the road to walk around the Longham Lakes where we found an unusual phenomenon of water bubbling up into the lake (see picture). The gulls found it interesting and seemed to be picking up fish from the water.
We then walked through the fields to Hampreston, walked through the churchyard and then crossed Ham Lane for the last bit of the walk which brough us out into Angel Lane. By then a few wispy clouds were appearing on the horizon but the day was still clear and sunny. It was a very pleasant winter's walk. Thanks to Trudy for the photos.

The Pub
The Bridge House Hotel at Longham. Those who had the £5 carvery agreed it was a very good value-for-money meal. Others had a snack or - in Sue's case - a meal and a half on a plate and a half and everyone came away satisfied.

Wednesday Walk 3rd November 2010

Editor's note: This week's blog is courtesy of Wendy. Thanks for taking up the reins, Wendy.

The Plan
A walk around Sandford

Who Turned Up
Wendy, Trish, Sue, Tony H, (joined for lunch by Brian, Beatrice, Jackie and Keith Taylor)

The Walk
As this was to be a local walk we had time to go for a coffee at ‘The Courtyard Centre’. The coffee was good but the tea lacked flavour, so Sue produced her own Tea bags and we strengthened the brew! We then drove to Sandford and set off across the heath. This was a flat and uneventful walk. We were met just before the end by Brian and then we walked approx another 200 yards to the Clay Pipe, where Beatrice was waiting for us. We found a nice round table and went to order our food. Jackie joined us shortly after (she is secretary of a Middle School near by). Then Keith (Jackie’s husband) walked in. I don’t know who was more surprised, the walkers or Jackie. The walkers had a good lunch while Jackie and Keith had drinks. During lunch there was a text from the absent member who likes pies (editor's note: he had a very nice chicken and ham pie at the Baker's Arms). We assured him that there was a pie on the Clay Pipe menu. After lunch the walkers plus Beatrice continued back to the cars. Brian waited for our return, so we felt obliged to have a pudding. The walk back was past the old Ordnance Factory where cordite was made during the wars. It is derelict now but quite menacing with eight foot high iron railings around the perimeter. Once back at the cars we headed back to Sue’s for tea and home made Jammie buns and Flapjacks.

The Pub
The Clay Pipe. The food was good, freshly cooked, hot and reasonably priced.

Next week
A walk at Longham