The Wednesday Walk 27th July 2011

The Plan
A walk around Puddletown

The Leader
Wendy

Who Turned Up
Wendy, Trudy H, Trudy B, Tony and Diane R, Tony and Beatrice H, Sue, David

The Walk
The weather people got the forecast right today... in the wrong order, but essentially correct. They forecast a cloudy morning and a sunny afternoon. We had it in reverse. We drove through Puddletown and parked at the edge of Puddletown Forest. Our walk took us through some open countryside, some high-hedged lanes and some thick woodland. We also trod warily past a so-called Traveller's squalid camp. They weren't travelling anywhere as their filthy vans were totally unroadworthy.
After lunch we walked on through the village and then continued our circuit, encountering birds and butterflies along the way.
The day ended with ice cream, tea and cakes at Diane and Tony's house. The ice cream was to cool us down and the tea to wake us up. A few extra photos this week taken on Diane and Tony's patio.

The Pub
The Blue Vinney at Puddletown. This place seems to have changed hands since we last ate here. It is now more upmarket than we remembered. The quality menu had no pies. As the prices were high, eight of the group sensibly ordered baguettes at £6.50 a go. One person threw caution to the wind (along with his children's inheritance) and had a very expensive chicken breast wrapped in bacon which he declared to be delicious.

Next Week
Meet at David's for a forest walk.

The Wednesday Walk 20th July 2011

The Plan
To walk the Portland Railway Lines

The Leader
Bill. Nice to see you on a Wednesday walk, Bill.

Who Turned Up
Bill, Wendy, Trisha, Sue, Trudy H, Beatrice, David

The Walk
We'd seen the weather forecast so we knew it was going to be wet, but not THAT wet. The plan was to follow the line of the old Merchant's Railway on the Isle of Portland, a route taken by Julia Bradbury in a television programme. She was luckier with the weather. We took packed lunches as a previous trip to Portland had yielded a dearth of eating houses. We parked on open land near Portland Castle, where new buildings seem to be springing up in preparation for the yachting events in next year's Olympic Games. The only sign of rain was a dampness in the air so we set off in good heart. We then took a very steep trail that was once the trackbed of a rope-hauled quarry railway. The climb was arduous but the view from the top was spectacular as we looked back over the huge harbour and Chesil Beach. We then walked towards the Verne Prison along the line of another old railway line. As the going underfoot got rough, so did the weather. The rain got steadily heavier until we found ourselves getting soaked. Approaching Easton, we came across a pub and, being now distinctly soggy, we made the decision to abandon our packed lunches in favour of hot mals. After lunch we walked into Easton and used our bus passes to ride back to the cars. The day was finished off with tea at Wendy's.

The Pub
The Clifton Hotel, near Easton. The menu was excellent value for money and the helpings were very generous. Even the pie eater was tempted away from his usual dish.

Next Week
To be decided.

The Wednesday Walk 13th July 2011

The Plan
Corfe to Kingston

The Leader
Trish

Who Turned Up
Trish, Sue, Wendy, Trudy, Trudy2, Beatrice, Tony and Diane

The Walk
We set of from the base of the castle to walk over the heath towards Kingston, admiring wild flowers and butterflies on the way. The church at Kingston was always on the skyline making it seem enticingly nearer than it actually was. Up and down we went slowly nearing the village where our lunch stop awaited. After lunch Trudy offered to lead us back another way which took us further East on the edge of the heath. We passed a farm that had enterprisingly put out books for sale. Several books were purchased with the proceeds being donated to charity. Our way took us through the village of Corfe which was very busy despite the fact school holidays had not started yet. We rounded the day off at Sue's for tea and the most delicious homemade chocolate cake.

The Pub
The Scot Arms at kingston had a good light bite menu but a trifle more expensive than we are used to, just as well the pie eater was missing. We all paid about £5-6 for our lunch plus drinks. The coffee however was reasonable at £1.75. The service was prompt and helpful.

Next week
Meet at Wendy's 9.30 for a walk near Portland

The Wednesday Walk 6th July 2011

The Plan
An Arne walk

The Leader
Wendy

Who Turned Up
Wendy, Trisha, Trudy B, Trudy H, Sue, Beatrice and Tony H, Diane and Tony R, David

The Walk
The weather forecast was for showers, but we're a hardy bunch so we shrugged off that possibility. And rightly so: in the event the only shower arrived while we were in the pub. We parked at the RSPB car park at the end of the Arne road and set off in the reverse direction to the one we usually take. The ground was dry and the deer were out in great numbers. We saw them sleeping, standing, walking and running. A bit like us, except for the running! We also saw numerous displays of wild heather on the scrubland areas. Along the way, we called in at each of the hides we came to but saw nothing of special interest, just the usual birds and animals.
After lunch we took another path through the reserve. The lunch-time shower had passed over but a small breeze was beginning to rise. We had some glorious views of the harbour, the islands and the Wytch Channel before driving back to Sue's house for tea and cakes. Thank you again, Sue.

The Pub
The Horse and Groom in Wareham. We chose this because of it's very good value for money. The most expensive mal was chicken breast wrapped in bacon and cheese at £5.50. Well worth the drive back from Arne peninsula.

Next Week
Meet at Sue's again for a walk from Corfe Castle to Kingston.