The Wednesday Walk 27th April 2011

The Plan

Athelhampton to Tolpuddle

The Leader
Wendy

Who Turned Up

Wendy, Trisha, Sue, Trudy, Beatrice, Diane, Tony R, David

The Walk

We drove to Athehampton House and parked in the car park in front of the house. Then we crossed the main road and headed through High Wood and Cowpound Wood where the ground was a mass of bluebells. Crossing open fields we had some wonderful views towards open land south of us. In one of these fields we came across a monument to a foreign soldier killed in WW2 who loved the view here. We came past Southover as we made our way into Tolpuddle and lunch at the Martyr's Inn.

 After lunch we took the shorter, straighter route back to Athelhampton  past Highwood Farm. The flowers we saw along the way included: Bluebells, bluebells, bluebells, Cowslips, Buttercups, Stitchwort and Campion. (Sounds like a line from the song English Country Garden!)
The weather was cooler in the morning but after lunch we had to start discarding outer clothes as it got warmer.
Tea at Wendy's was accompanied by hot home-made scones and jam. Many thanks, Wendy.

The Pub
The Martyr's Inn at Tolpuddle. If you haven't been there, Marion, Tolpuddle is a village noted in history because a group of local agricultural labourers who formed a union were prosecuted under a law designed to prevent mutiny at sea and were transported to the Antipodes. Anyway, the service at the pub was excellent, starting with complimentary dishes of salad. The steak and ale pie was very nicely done.

The Wednesday Walk 20th April 2011

The Plan
Winterborne Clenston to Winterborne Whitechurch

The Leader
Wendy

Who Turned Up
Wendy, Trudy, Sue, Ros, Jackie, Beatrice and one lone pie-eating male

The Walk
I have to keep reminding myself that this is still April. The weather would be considered good if it came in the middle of August. For this time of the year it is outstanding. We drove to Winterborne Clenston and parked in the field adjacent to the church, a spot we last used on a walk to Milton Abbas. This time we walked a little farther along the main road, past the manor house, and then turned along a path that led us up into Whatcombe Woods. Our semi-circular route took us through woods and pastures that were a riot of colours with all the wild flowers in bloom. Wendy has reminded me that we saw bluebells, wild garlic, speedwell, cowslips, buttercups, daises.... and others.
After lunch, we took the more direct route on the eastern side of the main road, leading us back to the cars at Winterborne Clenston.
We finished up with tea and cake (actually is was a huge sponge CAKE) at Sue's house. Many thanks, Sue. Your cakes are always special.

The Pub
We ate at the Milton Arms pub in Winterborne Whitechurch. The food was good and the service was friendly. The home-made chicken and mushroom pie was up to scratch.

Next Week
Meet at Wendy's for a walk from Affpuddle

The Wednesday Walk 13th April 2011

Thanks are due to Wendy for kindly writing up the blog this week.

The Plan
To do the Mike Collins Walk from Turners Puddle to Bere Regis

The Leaders
Pat and Jackie

Who Turned Up
Tony, Trudy, Wendy and Sue with grandson Daniel


The Walk
On arrival we found the parking area had been reduced. As this was a recce for a Sunday walk, Jackie and Pat found the farmer’s wife and asked for permission to park in the unauthorised area. This could be arranged (this path has been adopted by EXTEL in memory of Mike Collins who had been a walks leader and secretary for many years). After a game of ‘skimming stones’ in the nearby ford, we set off.
The sky was cloudy but as yet no sign of the forecast rain. It was a pleasant walk up a wide track, there were a number of friendly horses in the surrounding fields who came to say ‘hello’. The spring flowers were starting to bloom in profusion, primroses, celandines, violets, some early bluebells. At the top of the hill there was a fine view of Bere Regis. We descended to the little village of S(h)itterton. Some villagers didn’t like the name of the village and decided to drop the ’h’ so it now has two names. We had a game of Pooh Sticks in the lovely clear stream before taking the path and boardwalk beside the stream on our way to the Royal Oak pub for lunch. There were beautiful yellow kingcups all along the stream. As we were a bit early we went into the church and looked at the beautiful roof with the carved wooden apostles painted in bright colours. Unfortunately the lead roof had been stolen earlier in the year, not once but twice. Because the thieves cut all the electrical wires, we were unable to switch on the lights, but the roof was very impressive all the same. We had our lunch at the pub, then after a shopping expedition for some local watercress we set off back to Turners Puddle. The little wood where the memorial stone has been placed is a beautiful bluebell wood but although there were some bluebells starting to flower the full effect will not be visible for another week or two. After the walk we all headed back to Jackie’s for some lovely cakes and welcome cups of tea. Thank you Jackie

The Pub
The Royal Oak in Bere Regis. The deal of the day was 2 meals for £10. The food was well cooked and the staff were very friendly. Unfortunately the pie eater was absent.


Next week
Meet at 9.45am at Sue’s for a walk at Winterborne Clenston

The Wednesday Walk 6th April 2011

The Plan
Ringstead Bay to Osmington Mills

The Leader
Wendy

Who Turned Up
Wendy, Sue, Tricia, Trudy B, Beatrice, Tony, David

The Walk
Our guardian angels were back on form, filling the skies with sunshine over Dorset. After the disappointing weather of last week, we were given an extra helping of the good stuff today. We parked on the high ground overlooking Ringstead Bay with its glorious views out to Portand Bill. We took the long winding path down to the shore, passing the small wooden church on the way. It was in the process of renovation. After admiring all the new work and the etched glass window, we sat out in the quiet graveyard and enjoyed the peaceful views. We then walked on down to shore level and followed the coast to Osmington Mills. We kept a good lookout for Diane's seals but all we saw was the very old remains of a wrecked ship. Shortly before we got to Osmington we were overtaken by a large group of young people on a field trip. They were faster than us and that proved to be a problem later.
After lunch we walked back along the relatively level path to Ringstead where we stopped for an ice cream. Three walkers elected to stay there and rest their weary feet while the other four took the shorter, but steeper route back up to the cars.
Overall, the walk was well worth the climb. The weather was beautiful, the scenery was magnificent and the company was pleasant. What more could a walker ask for?
The day was rounded off with tea and cakes at Wendy's. Many thanks Wendy.

The Pub
The Smugglers at Osmington Mills. You'll recall I mentioned a group of young people on a field trip. Because they got to the pub ahead of us (our fault, we allowed them to overtake when we should have tied shackles to their ankles) they created a long queue at the bar. We sat outside in the sun (who would want to sit inside on a day like that?) and enjoyed good meals (excellent steak and ale pie) although Trudy had to wait a long time for her food.

Next Week
Meet at Sue's for a Bere Regis walk