The Wednesday Walk 14th September 2016

The Plan

A Minstead walk

Who Turned Up

Diane and Tony R, Beatrice, Wendy, Trudy B, Trudy H, David

The Walk

Another pleasant late-summer day was ideal for a walk in the New Forest. We parked at Fursey Gardens, Minstead and walked from there to the Walter Tyrrell pub. After lunch we split into two groups, one taking the shorter route back and the other taking the longer route. We all met at the café in Fursey Gardens for ice creams.

The Pub

The Walter Tyrrell. The food was good but expensive. 

The pub is named after the archer who killed King William ll, known as William Rufus. On 2^nd August 1100, the king went hunting in the New Forest. On the previous evening, the William was given six arrows. He kept four and give the other two to Tyrrell saying, “To the good archer, the good arrows.” On the hunt, they group spread out and William and Tyrrell became separated from the others. Tyrrell let loose a wild shot at a passing stag but the arrow hit William Rufus in the chest, puncturing his lungs. It is said that the king broke of the arrow, making the wound worse. He died aged only forty. In panic, Tyrrell fled to France. The king was taken to Winchester and buried within the tower. The next year, the tower fell down.

Next Week

To be confirmed.

The Wednesday Walk 7th September 2016

The Plan

A Swanage walk

Who Turned Up

Sue, Tony and Beatrice H, Tony R, Trisha, Trudy B, Wendy, Jackie, David

The Walk

Another glorious day for a walk. Summer seems to just go on and on. We met at Canford Cliffs and used our OAP bus passes to take us across the Studland ferry and on to Swanage. We alighted on the prom alongside the sandy beach where, already, a few people were swimming in the sea. I wonder how many of them remember that 1982 film, By the Sea. It was written by The Two Ronnies under the pseudonyms Dave Huggett and Larry Keith. It was set in the fictional Tiddly Cove, actually the area around Swanage and Studland. It began with a steam train arriving at Swanage station. Ronnie Barker, who played the General, was actually a keen collector of saucy seaside postcards and published several books of them. We didn’t bother with saucy postcards as we set off up the grassy hill towards the Durston Head Country Park. On such a hot day, it was inevitable that the climb was a trifle sweaty and needed rest breaks. Looking back, we saw a drilling rig anchored by the shore. We later discovered it was helping with the rebuilding of the RNLI lifeboat house. We went as far as the castle at Durlston Head and then headed back downhill, looking for a suitable venue for lunch.

After lunch we took a while to admire the views from the prom, where even more people were swimming in the sea, and then we caught an open top bus back to Canford Cliffs. A very pleasant day out and we must thank Tony for arranging it. And our thanks go to Trudy for the excellent photographs.

The Pub

The Ship Inn. A bit basic but we all had an acceptable meal and drink.

Next Week

Meet at David’s at 10am for a Minstead walk.