The Wednesday Walk 30th November 2011

The Plan
A walk from Broadstone

The Leader
Wendy

Who Turned Up
Wendy, Sue, Trudy B, Trudy H, Ros, Tony H, David

The Walk
A day of sunshine and showers: bright and sunny in the morning but a little cloudy in the afternoon. We left our cars at Wendy's house ands set off across Upton Heath. There we picked up the trailway - the old S&D railway line - and followed it south until we turned off along a sandy path over the heathland. The route took us to the Upton Heath Nature Reserve at the top end of Beacon Hill Lane. From there it was a short walk to the pub on the Blandford Road.
After lunch we walked back up the Blandford Road to Naked Cross (on a cool day like today being naked certainly would make you cross) and we then followed the up-and-down track back to the trailway. Along the route we observed the results of a past heath fire that came perilously close to at least one house.
Tea and home made sponge was served at Wendy's. Thank you, Wendy, your cooking was much appreciated.

The Pub
The Holme Bush on the Blandford Road. Six of the seven walkers enjoyed at "two meals for £9.50" deal. The seventh opted for the home made pie. The pictures of it say all that needs to be said.

Next Week
Meet at Delph Woods car park at 1015 for a walk to Lamb's Green.

The Wednesday Walk 16th November 2011

The Plan
Meet at Haskins for a local walk

The Leader
Trudy B

Who Turned Up
Wendy, Beatrice, Sue, Trudy B, Trudy H, David (and Tony from lunchtime)

The Walk
The warm weather we enjoyed at the beginning of November has deserted us now, but at least today's weather was dry and the chilly start soon turned into a mild day. Once again, we met at Haskins Garden Centre and enjoyed tea and coffee as a precursor to the walk. We then shifted our cars to the Poor Common Lay-By. Instead of the taking the Poor Common path, we crossed the road and headed off across Ferndown Common. The going was generally okay but there were a few muddy patches. As this was a short walk, we added in a small detaour at the end before heading across the Ringwood Road to the pub.
After lunch, with Tony now joining the group, we decided on a longer walk that  took us down Award Road and Keepers Lane, eventually returning us to Ferndown Common closer to Longham. It was a pleasant walk, not too arduous and dry throughout the day.

The Pub
The Pure Drop on the Ringwood Road at Ferndown. Some walkers opted for the "Two courses for £5.95" deal while others went for the "Two means for £10 option". The food was good value and we opted to use the Pure Drop for the Wednesday Walkers Christmas Lunch. Put the dtae in your diaries: 13th December.

Next Week
Meet in Wimborne for a White Sheet walk.

The Wednesday Walk 9th November 2011

The Plan
A local walk

The Leader
Wendy

Who Turned Up
Wendy, Tricia, Sue, Trudy B, Beatrice and Tony H, David (and Trudy H joined us for lunch)

The Walk
The weather was looking a bit dull in the morning. Fortunately our plans were limited today. We met at Haskins for coffee before parking the cars in the layby close to the Poor Common. We then walked through the woods, through West Parley, past the guide's camp and along the river bank to The Bridge House Hotel.
After lunch we crossed the road to the Longham Lakes and had a pleasant walk around the water. By now the weather was improving and the air felt quite mild.

The Pub
Not a pub today. We ate at the Bridge House Hotel where most of us had a £5 carvery. Very good value for money, as one of Trudy's pictures shows.

Next Week
Meet at Haskins again at 10am for another local walk.

The Wednesday Walk 2nd November 2011

The Plan
A New Forest walk

The Leader
Trudy

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

The Walk
This week we had to make a valiant effort to do a proper walk. Last week the weather turned against us and the few stalwarts who turned up chose to walk the aisles of Ikea and M&S instead of Dorset heath and valley. This week the forecasters promised us a dry period until late afternoon. Under Trudy's leadership we drove to Burley. As well as New Forest ponies cluttering up the roads, we also noted a line of unescorted pigs apparently seeking out acorns. We drove out along station road (there is no longer any station thanks to Doctor Beeching) past Holman's Bottom and parked alongside the route of the old railway line about a mile beyond the village. We then set out across the heathland, following the railway trackbed until we turned off for a cross-country walk back towards Burley village. Along the way we paused to allow a few berries to drop unaided into waiting bags (we are not allowed to forcibly remove them from the trees but decided we could prevent them getting hurt when falling). We arrived at the pub around mid day.
After lunch we made our way through the village (browsing in the shop windows as we went) and then walked through the grounds of Burley Hill House until we came out onto Church Moor. The sky was steadily getting darker and by the time we got back to the cars we encountered the first drops of rain.

The Pub
The Queen's Head in Burley. There were six of us and the special offer was two main meals for £9.95. Perfect. The pie was chicken and mushroom. The service was prompt. The value for money was good.

Next Week
Meet at Haskins at 10am.