The Wednesday Walk 30th March 2016

The Plan

A Cranborne walk

Who Turned Up

Wendy, Trudy B, Trisha, Diane and Tony R, Jackie, Tony H, David

(Joined by Beatrice and Sue for lunch)

The Walk

Our intentions were good, but the ground underfoot was not. We drove to a layby near the Pottery on the B3078, hoping to find a clear path back towards Cranborne village. We were out of luck. We had gone no more than a quarter mile before we came to water covering the entire path, with deep sticky mud underneath. There was no way we could get through. We drove back to Cranborne and had a walk around the village before lunch.

After lunch we drove to Castle Hill Lane on the outskirts of the village. We parked here and followed a path through the woods that took us past the Cranborne Motte and Bailey Castle. We continued onwards until we branched down onto Mill Lane, the path we had hoped to join in the morning. Two things would have helped us now. Firstly, we hoped to have passed the muddy parts of the lane. Secondly, we hoped we would escape the showers forecast by the met office. We were unlucky on both counts. We found the path to be wet, muddy and slippery, and it started raining. And the rain got heavier as we made our way back towards Cranborne. It was good exercise, but a walk we might have enjoyed more in the heat of summer.
Our thanks go to Diane for the photographs. Welcome back from Spain, Diane and Tony.

The Pub

The Sheath of Arrows in Cranborne. They had a senior citizens’ special: a meal and a pot of tea (or cup of coffee) for £6. It was good value and the service was friendly.

Next Week

No planned walk next week.

The Wednesday Walk 23rd March 2016

The Plan

An Arne walk

Who Turned Up

Wendy, Trudy H, Trisha, David

The Walk

The day started bright and calm. The water of Poole Harbour showed hardly a ripple. We parked at the RSPB car park and straight away sussed out the new café on the site of the old toy museum. It looked a suitable option for a light lunch.

Did you know that Arne village was owned by Shaftsbury Abbey until its dissolution in 1539? By 1894 its population was only 123. The school closed in 1922 but you can still see the building – now a private house – as you pass through the village.

Here’s something interesting. Holton Heath, only three miles away from Arne village, was once the site of the Royal Navy Cordite Factory. During WW2, it was an obvious site for German bombing so several decoy sites were set up. At the first sign of approaching bombers, tar barrels and pipes containing kerosene were lit, giving the appearance of a burning factory. On the nights of 3^rd and 4^th June 1942 the decoy was used in anger. Enemy aircraft bombed the open countryside as a consequence. The fire burned for six weeks.

After the war, the village of Arne was largely derelict. In 1966 it came under the jurisdiction of the RSPB.

We took our usual route through the nature reserve and were lucky to catch a deer in the process of feeding.

After lunch we took a shorter route as the morning sunshine had given way to an overcast afternoon.

Thanks to Wendy for much appreciated tea and cakes.

Lunch

We ate at the new RSPB café. It only does snacks and is a bit pricey, but it is clean and pleasant, and it saved us the bother of driving back to Stoborough.

Next Week

A Cranborne walk.

The Wednesday Walk 16th March 2016

The Plan

Whitecliff to Poole

Who Turned Up

Wendy, Sue, Trudy H, Beatrice and Tony H, David

The Walk

A cool but pleasant day, it started off overcast but quickly brightened up. We met in the car park at Whitecliff and took a gentle stroll along the harbour-side into Poole. We stopped for morning coffee at a quayside café. David and Tony then took a longer walk to the lifting bridge and then up into the town. The ladies followed the more direct route between the shops. From there we went to the pub in Newfoundland Drive.

After lunch we walked on up into the town, through the Dolphin Centre and then down through Poole Park. A very pleasant and easy walk.

The Pub

The Foundry Arms. This was a first tie for all of us in this particular pub. The food was good and the service was friendly. Worth another visit.

Next Week

An Arne walk. Wait for details of where to meet.