The Wednesday Walk 24th February 2016

The Plan

The Boscombe seashore

Who Turned Up

Wendy, Trisha (newly returned from a tour of South America) Sue, Trudy B, David

(Joined by Beatrice and Tony at lunchtime)

The Walk

It was a good day for a walk, dry, sunny and not too warm. We parked at the Southend of Knyveton Road and walked down through Boscombe Gardens to the shore at Boscombe Pier. At one point we stopped to watch a group of white doves in a leafless tree.

The history of Boscombe pier goes back to 1884 when it was proposed as a visitor attraction. In 1888, a contract to build it was priced at £3,813. The approach roads would cost a further £938. The original pier was two hundred yards long and there was a landing stage at which steams could berth. The pier was opened by the Duke of Argyll, probably because the architect was closely connected to the duke’s family. The pier head was not added until 1926. Like most piers, it was partially demolished during the Second World War to prevent enemy invasion. It remained derelict for some years and was not fully restored until 1962. The building at the end of the pier was reopened as the Mermaid Theatre, then a roller skating rink, and then an amusement arcade. It closed in 1989. In 2005, the whole pier was declared unsafe and closed. It reopened again in modified form in 2008. A surf reef was built alongside it, but the less said about that the better.

Today, we noticed that a lot of activity was taking place, not at the pier, but on the beach. There appears to be some great effort being made to replace the old wood in the beach groynes.

After lunch we returned along the cliff-top path. We stopped for a while to watch diggers having fun building sand walls on the shoreline. Great fun, obviously, but what was it for? We couldn’t decide.

Our thanks go to Trudy for the excellent photographs.

The Pub

The Spyglass and Kettle at Southbourne. Most of us opted for the lunch special – two courses for £7.95. It was okay, but nothing special. And the value-for-money didn’t match last weeks’ three courses for £8.50. The waiting time didn’t impress either.

Next Week

A Bere Regis walk. The meeting place and time still to be decided.

The Wednesday Walk 17th February 2016

The Plan

A shore walk

Who Turned Up

Wendy, Jackie, Sue, Trudy B.

David turned up for lunch.

The Walk

The forecast promised a wet day, but we area a hardy group. Four brave souls turned up at the Ferndown Forest Golf Course car park and walked from there to West Moors in the rain. They arrived too early for lunch so enjoyed a coffee shop treat before moving on to the pub.

After lunch, everyone cried off another walk. It was just too wet and we were all well filled with a hearty meal.

The Pub

The Elephant and Castle, West Moors. The lunchtime special offered two courses at £6.50 or three courses for £8.50. At those prices you might wonder if the meals were rather sparse. Well, they were most decidedly not sparse. Two people chose the bacon and mushroom rarebit starter. One person ordered the same dish as a main course! The others enjoyed main courses that were ample and filling. Only one person was up for a sweet, and that was tasty as well. Overall, very good value for money.

Next Week

Weather permitting, we shall meet at the Boscombe end of Knyveton Road and do the walk we planned for this week.

The Wednesday Walk 10th February 2016

The Plan

Avon Heath Country Park

Who Turned Up

Wendy, Jackie, Trudy B, Trudy H, David

The Walk

We parked adjacent to the footbridge at St Leonards, and crossed over into the Avon Heath Country Park. The weather was cool to start with but we soon warmed up and enjoyed a very pleasant stroll through the park. It is one of the largest in Dorset with beautiful scenery consisting of forest, heather and heathland. It has many different species of trees, plants and wildlife. The RSPB and Dorset County Council maintain and protect the natural surroundings.

After lunch we enjoyed another stroll back through the woods and heathland.
Thanks go to Trudy for the photographs.

The Pub

The St Leonards Hotel. This is a hotel we have used before and enjoyed a decent meal. You’ll find something unique thing about this place if you study the walls in the bar area. They are inscribed (behind protective glass) with the signatures of pilots who flew from local wartime airfields. Here, you’ll see the names of Guy Gibson (of dambuster fame), ‘Catseyes’ Cunningham, ‘Sailor’ Malan, Douglas Bader (the legless fighter pilot) and Johnnie Johnson. One of our walkers (not with us today) has a house that abuts Bader Road in Canford Heath, named after the pilot. My understanding is that he pronounced his name Bah-der, but many people seem to call it Bay-der. I wonder why?

Next Week
Meet at the end of Knyveton Road at 1030 (opposite Boscombe Gardens)

The Wednesday Walk 3rd February 2016

The Plan

A Kingston Lacy walk

Who Turned Up

Wendy, Sue, Trudy H, Jackie, Tony, David

(and Beatrice joined us for lunch)

The Walk

It was a dry day with a cold, brisk wind. We met in the Kingston Lacy car park and walked the route through the snowdrop area. The ground was sprouting more than just snowdrops. Daffodils and other colourful flowers made the ground look far from wintry. We went on past the Japanese garden to the kitchen garden. Then back to the car park.

After lunch, most of the group opted for a walk around Wimborne.
Thanks are due to Trudy for the photographs, and to Beatrice and Tony for the tea and cakes.

The Pub

The Lamb’s Green. Fortunately, it was open this week, and it was quite busy. The food was okay but something seemed to be lacking compared with previous visits.

Next Week

Meet at the car park by the entrance to Upton House at 1015. We will walk into Poole.