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