The Wednesday Walk 13th December 2017

The Plan

Canford Heath

Who Turned Up

Tony H, Wendy, Trudy B, Trudy H, David

The Walk

We positioned one car at the Asda store on Canford Heath in case the weather turned wet. Good thinking, but not quite good enough. We started the walk near the Knighton Heath Golf Course, taking a straightforward track across the Canford Heath. Anyone who has walked this path will know it is open and totally exposed – that’s why it’s called a heath! However, we didn’t expect it to be a problem in the morning. Wrong. It rained. By the time we reached the Canford Heath shopping Centre we were soaked. We went to the pub for lunch and decided to call off any thoughts of an afternoon walk. Our thanks to Trudy for the photographs, which show very well the state of the weather.

The Pub

The Haymoor. The only pie on the menu was vegetarian, but the other options served us very well. We had good food at reasonable prices, and the beer was cheap. That cheered up the male walkers.

Next Week

Meet by the tennis courts in Leicester Road at 1045 for a walk to the bowling club café. If wet, expect an update.eat

The Wednesday Walk 6th December 2017

The Plan

A Ferndown Common walk

Who Turned Up

Sue, Trudy B, Trudy H, Ros, David

The Walk

It was an overcast day but dry with a mild feel in the air. We met at the lay-by near the Angel and walked straight onto the common. The going was mostly dry underfoot. Any muddy patches were easily circumvented. We took one or two detours because we didn’t want to arrive at the pub too early.

After lunch we took a totally different walk back to the cars. It was an interesting route past ponds and horses. We recalled a previous occasion when that path had been waterlogged and we had to detour through someone’s garden. This time the going was much better. It was a pleasant walk, neither tiring nor cold. Our thanks for the photographs go to the two Trudies.

The Pub

The Pure Drop. We only popped in for lunch but they had a table cloth and Christmas crackers sitting on the table, waiting for us. The serving wench looked a trifle puzzled. She put it down to feeling tired in the middle of the day, leaving us wondering why. She came back to the table to make sure she’d got the order right. However, the food was excellent. The chicken and ham pie was almost as good as last week’s. Let’s say 9 out of 10. Well worth the money.

Next Week

TBD

The Wednesday Walk 29th November 2017

The Plan

A Highcliff walk

Who Turned Up

Sue, Trisha, Trudy B, Beatrice and Tony, David

The Walk

These days, cold air is wafting down from the wild and wintry north, but at least the day started out bright and sunny. Last week’s blog said we would meet at Avon Beach car park but that was a mistake. It should have been the Avon Run Road car park. Parking here was only fifty pence while at the Avon Beach it was over three pounds. Because of the mistake we didn’t get ourselves organised for the walk until eleven o’clock. When we did get underway we were glad to have wrapped up warm. It was, otherwise, a pleasant amble along the beach and up into Highcliffe.

On the return walk we took a detour through what seems to be a redevelopment of the nature reserve. Along the way we saw a buzzard sitting in one of the trees. We stopped for tea at the cafe beside the car park. It was a pleasant walk. Thanks, Trudy, for the photographs.

The Pub

The Globe in Highcliffe. The food was good, the chicken pie scoring 10/10 which is praise indeed.

Next Week

TBD

The Wednesday Walk 22nd November 2017

The Walk

A West Moors walk

Who Turned Up

Wendy, Trisha, Trudy B, Trudy H, Ros, Jackie, Tony and Beatrice H, David

The Walk

The forecasters told us it would be dry in the morning and wet in the afternoon. They got it wrong. It was raining as we drove towards the golf club car park. And the sun came out into a blue sky as we drove home in the afternoon. It wouldn’t have made any difference to our plans, but it would have been nice to know.

Instead of the usual walk into West Moors we took a new route in the form of a reconnaissance. Most of it was through woodland, working out where the paths went. Eventually we came out in Pennington Road, only a short walk from the pub.

After lunch we returned along our usual path.

A pleasant walk despite the weather. The photos are courtesy of Trudy H.

The Pub

The Elephant and Castle in West Moors. As usual, the food was good and reasonably priced.

Next Week

Meet at Avon Beach car park, Mudeford at 1030.

The Wednesday Walk 15th November 2017

The Plan

Originally Fordingbridge but changed to Avon Country Park

Who Turned Up

Trudy B, Trudy H, Sue, Trisha, Wendy, David

The Walk

Roadworks outside Trudy’s house made parking a problem, but we coped. We changed to two cars and drove to the usual parking spot beside the footbridge at St Leonards. The day started out cool but became warmer as the day wore on. Coats were opened or discarded. It was the usual walk through the woodland but somehow we seemed to attract a few accidents. Sue tripped over a flower bed and injured her leg. Blood was spilt. A couple of other walkers tripped on tree roots but got away with it. Overall, however, it was a pleasant day out on one of our well-trusted routes. Thanks to Trudy H for the photos and Trudy B for the tea and biscuits.

The Pub

The St Leonards. The food was good, as always, but one walker had the unusual experience of having the starter delivered to the table half way through the main meal. Oh well, at least it was good food and reasonably priced.

Next Week

Meet at the usual gold club car park at 1045 for a West Moors walk.

The Wednesday Walk 8th November 2017

The Plan

A Wimborne walk

Who Turned Up

Sue, Traisha, Trudy B, David… and Beatrice joined us for lunch and the afternoon walk

The Walk

The skies remained blue and unblemished by could throughout the day, but it was chilly. Never mind, we had a very good walk which warmed us up. We drove to Canford Magna and parked near the school. Then we walked along by the River Stour. We turned off the straight and narrow path to take a wooded detour closer to the Stour. This entailed us climbing up some very steep steps and then down some equally steep steps back onto the pathway, which came out on the Oakley Hill Road. We then walked into Wimborne. After lunch we took the more direct route back to Canford.

The Pub

The Man in the Wall, Wimborne. We got there just in time for three of the group to order the all-day breakfast – it finished at noon. The food was good and, as always, reasonably priced.

Next Week

Provisionally, we will meet at Trudy B’s for a Fordingbridge walk, unless circumstances change

The Wednesday Walk 1st November 2017

The Plan

A Kingston Lacy walk

Who Turned Up

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

The Walk

It was a nice autumn day for a walk. The trees are turning red and brown, the heat of last week has faded and autumn is now making itself felt, but in a calm and pleasant way. We drove to Kingston Lacy and took the perimeter walk around the estate. After lunch, we back-tracked to the kitchen garden to look at the work that has gone on there since our last visit. All-in-all a very enjoyable day. Our thanks for the tea and cakes goes to Beatrice.

The Lunch

We ate in the stable eatery at Kingston Lacy. Some meals were good, including the chilli and the baked potatoes with filling. On the other hand, the so-called sticky sausages were grossly over priced and rather bland in taste.

Next week

A Fordingbridge walk

The Wednesday Walk 25th October 2017

The Plan

A Sandford walk

Who Turned Up

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

The Walk

We met at the usual spot for this walk, parking at the roadside in Woodlands Drive. We then crossed over the Wareham Road and on into Sandford Woods. We followed the path across and Holton Heath to Organford Road and stopped at the pub.

After lunch we crossed back over the Wareham Road took a walk through the nature reserve where we came across a group of volunteers pruning out the self-seeding pines.

A pleasant day’s walking with weather that got sunnier and warmer as the day wore on. Sorry, no one brought a camera this week.

The Pub

The Claypipe at Sandford. Good meals all round with an excellent chicken and ham pie – well recommended.

Next Week

Meet at B&T’s at 1030 for a Kingston Lacy walk

The Wednesday Walk 11th October 2017

The Plan

A Corfe Castle walk

Who Turned Up

Trisha, Wendy, Sue, Trudy B, Tony H, David

The Walk

The prospect of a sunny day faded quickly when we looked from our windows this morning. But at least it was dry, so we set of for Corfe Castle. When we got there, the NT car park was labelled “Full” although we were in some doubt about whether it really was. Anyway, we turned into the road opposite and parked in what turned out to be a very full roadside parking area. We crossed back to the NT visitor centre, crossed over the railway line and walked up to Norden. We then crossed the main road and took the footpath – the one that was once the old main road – back to the village.

After lunch, we took a walk around the common and back into the village. One group then walked to the railway station to see the LSWR locomotive which has been given to the Swanage Railway by the National Railway Museum. It was sad to see a piece of history which had been in pristine condition in the York museum now rusting away in a siding.
Thanks go to Sue and Trudy for the photographs.

The Lunch

Instead of using a pub, we went to the café at the Model Village. They don’t do full meals but we filled up with all-day breakfasts and an assortment of snacks.

The Wednesday Walk 13th September 2017

The Plan

A walk to Charlton Marshall

Who Turned Up

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

The Walk

It was one of those days that could have been cold and wet, but turned out to be warmer than expected and thankfully drier than it might have been. We parked as usual just beyond the church in Tarrant Keynston. The walk took us past Tarrant Crawford, past the old vineyard, and across the fields to Spetisbury. From there we followed the track of the old S&D Railway to Charlton Marshall.

After lunch we headed back along the same route. We finished up with tea and cakes at Wendy’s. Thank you, Wendy. Thanks to both Trudy's for the photos.

The Pub

The Charlton Inn at Charlton Marshall.  Jackie joined us here for lunch. Good food was enjoyed all round.

The Wednesday Walk 6th September 2017

The Plan

Ringstead Bay to Osmington Mills

Who Turned Up

Ros, Wendy, Sue, Trisha, Diane and Tony, David

The Walk

Today we saw a driverless car in action. No kidding. It was parked in a car park at Ringstead, between two other cars. We saw it edge backwards and then stop, unaware that this was a car with a mind of its own. Then it backed out completely and we watched it in amazement because we could now see that there was no one on board. No driver, no passengers, no one. It was reversing back towards other parked cars and would have showed them what for if it hadn’t run into a water-filled ditch. That stopped it in its tracks. And still there was no sign of a driver, passengers or any human with some sort of control over the car.  It had acted purely under its own willpower. Amazing. But, what about the walk, you ask. Ah yes, the walk. We drove to the viewpoint overlooking Ringstead Bay, left our cars there and walked down the lane to the wooden church. A younger, fitter-looking bunch of walkers had got there ahead of us and were busily enjoying their packed lunches while admiring the view over the bay. Undaunted, we trudged on to Osmington Mills where we had our own lunch.

Afterwards, the entire group walked back to the snack shop at the bottom of the hill back up to the viewpoint. Four hardy walkers elected to stay here while three others tackled the hill. Brave souls. That was when we saw the self-drive, unmanned car in action. Eventually, we were collected by Ros and driven back up the hill. We were all glad of a cup of tea, for which thanks go to Wendy. Thanks also to Diane for the photos.

The Pub

The Smugglers at Osmington Mills. We’ve eaten here before and always enjoyed a good meal. The only criticism was a surfeit of leaves on one walker’s plate.

Next Week

Meet in Wimborne at 1030            

The Wednesday Walk 23rd August 2017

The Plan

Lytchett Minster to Lytchett Matravers

Who Turned Up

Sue, Wendy, Trudy H, Ros, Trisha, Diane and Tony R, Beatrice and Tony H, David

The Walk

Another Wednesday which wasn’t washed out. Hallelujah! We haven’t had too many of them lately. We parked the cars in Post Green Road, not far from St Peter’s Finger at Lytchett Minster. Then we walked north. After Post Green Farm, we turned onto the country path through Hill Wood. One field held what we thought to be a herd of cows. We were half way across it when we spotted that one cow was a rather large bull. There is a difference, you know! While Tony R distracted him - face to face - the rest of us bravely strode on across the field. Well done, Tony. The trail then took us onto Foxhills Lane which seemed to climb forever. Eventually we came to the edge of Lytchett Matravers.

After lunch we took the lane that branched off from the top end of Foxhills Lane, rambled across country and back out onto Post Green Road. It was a pleasant day out, warm but without too much sun.

We finished off with tea and apple cake at Wendy’s. Thank you, Wendy. Thanks also to Trudy and Diane for the pictures.

The Pub

The Rose and Crown in Lytchett Matravers. A rather noisy place, but nine of the ten walkers were happy with their food. The tenth – there’s always one – was not happy at paying £11.45 for a small pie with chips.

Next Week

Meet at Diane and Tony’s at 1015

The Wednesday Walk 12th July 2017

The Plan

A breakfast walk

Who Turned Up

Wendy and Elisa (welcome to the walking group, Elisa) Beatrice and Tony H, Diane and Tony R, Trudy B, David

The Walk

We decided to meet at 0930 at Pamphill and head into Wimborne for breakfast. The day started dull and overcast with a bit of a chilly breeze, but we rapidly warmed up once we got going. We started at the Pamphill car park nearest the church and headed down All Fools Lane. A walk beside the River Stour took us into Wimborne. After lunch we came back past the Queen Elizabeth School and Pamphill School. In other words, it was the usual route.

The Pub

The Man In The Wall, Wimborne. The food here is good and it’s not at all expensive. A large breakfast (as big as you will ever get or manage to eat) comes out at £4.99. A pint of beer is £1.99. You can’t beat that.

Next Week

A Ringstead Bay walk.

The Wednesday Walk 5th July 2017

The Plan

A Studland Heath walk

Who Turned Up

Trudy B, Sue, Beatrice and Tony H, David

The Walk

The weather forecast promised us clear blue skies and temperatures around 28 degrees. Maybe that was why the bus from Canford Village was full with (sardine-type) standing room only. All heading for Studland beach? Probably. It stayed jam-packed like that until we got off the bus near the Shell Bay sailing centre. From there we walked down beside Bramble Bush Bay and across Studland Heath. We passed around the hill with the Agglestone, past Black Down and wandered on to the Isle of Purbeck Golf Club. By then we were glad to sit down and enjoy a cold drink.

After lunch we walked back to Ulwell where we all had an ice cream to cool us down. Then we caught a bus home. It was still well-patronised.
Our thnks, as always, to Trudy for the photographs.

The Lunch Stop

The bar in the Isle of Purbeck Golf Club. Because of the heat, we all had a cold drink and a sandwich, with a selection of crisps and chips. It was enough. The view back towards Poole Harbour was impressive.

Next Week

If the weather is hot we will have a breakfast walk, meeting at Pamphill at 8am

If it is cool, we will have a Tincleton walk, meeting at Sue’s at 10am.

The decision on whether it is hot or cool will… um, er… be made nearer the time.