The Wednesday Walk 3rd December 2008

The Plan
Meet at David's for one of Brian's New Forest walks. We will be lunching at the Forester's so the pies should be well up to scratch.

The Leader
Brian

Who Turned Up
Brian, Wendy, Sue, Pam (with Archie), Trudy and David

The Walk
Despite attrocious conditions in the north of the UK, we were blessed with a measure of sunshine and blue skies. The air was cold, but that only made the walk more invigorating. We parked at our usual spot near the Forester's Inn at Frogham and set out across the forest's high ground. The cold, crisp weather made the views over the valleys and distant forest more attractive. We arrived back at the pub just before they opened at noon and were joined shortly after by Tony and Beatrice. After lunch we set out through Frogham village and then onto another of Brian's moorland walks. By now we were ready to walk off some of the effects of a heavy lunch. A few clouds drifted over but, by and large, it was another bright walk. We saw deer towards the end of the afternoon but they were too far from us to get some satisfactory photographs. Nevertheless, Trudy's pictures again do justice to the walk. Beatrice and Tony met us again at David's for tea and cakes.

The Pub

The Foresters at Frogham. As usual, David was first at the counter to get his share of the famous Forester's pies. He expressed himself well contented. Wendy and Pam had one pie between them and were equally well contented. Sadly, we didn't quite finish the crossword.

The Wednesday Walk 26th November 2008

The Plan
We will meet at Haskins at 10 am. Will someone please make sure Wendy does not see any Eddie Stobart lorries! We will walk to Stapehill with lunch at The Pure Drop.

The Leader

Trudy

Who Turned Up
Trudy, Wendy, Sue, David and Pam (with Archie). At lunchtime we were joined by Beatrice and Tony, along with Pat and Pauline. Tony accompanied us on the afternoon walk.

The Walk
Yesterday was sunny and cold. By contrast, today was overcast and a little warmer. A decent day for walking. We met at Haskins Garden Centre and enjoyed a cup of coffee before we began the walk. Trudy led us to Ferndown Common and we then walked along the eastern edge. The ground was a bit wet in places, but it was still a good walk. The common had a country air about it, even though we were actually in the heart of Ferndown. We were at risk of arriving early at the pub, so we took a few detours as we came closer to the Wimborne Road. We were at the pub shortly before twelve and then joined by our four non-walking friends. After an enjoyable meal, the five morning walkers set off towards the common, now joined by Tony. This time, Trudy led us along the opposite side of the common and, again, she built in a few detours to make the walk worth while. The weather stayed overcast but relatively warm, making it a pleasant day's hiking. It is my pleasure to record that Wendy completed the entire walk without breaking any bones. Well done, Wendy!

The Pub

The Pure Drop, Stapehill. We had booked a table for nine, making it an ejoyable communal occasion. Pam was able to bring Archie in with her - although she did have to take him outside for a while when he insisted on joining in with the piped pop music. Pam was worried that he wasn't in tune with the singers. The food was much better than two weeks ago, as was the service. No complaints at all this time. Even David's pie was well up to scratch.

The Wednesday Walk 19th November 2008

The Plan
Depending upon the weather, we will walk at either Kimmerage or St Catherine's Hill. Wendy has kindly agreed to promulgate the final choice by e-mail on Tuesday afternoon. If you don't pick up the e-mail, give her a call on Wednesday morning.

The Leader
Wendy

Who Turned Up
Wendy, Sue, Ros, Trudy, Pam (with Archie), Brian and David

The Walk
It was another beautiful walking day. We drove down to Kimmeridge and parked at the old quarry car park about half a mile above the village. Then we walked across the fields in the direction of the army firing range. This was one of their practice days on the ranges and we heard the gun shots in the distance. At the first sight of a red flag (warning of an army firing range ahead) we turned sharp left towards the coast. We had one steep hill to negotiate, but it was all downhill and we found three different ways down. We continued across the fields towards the shore, finding it a bit muddy in places, until we reached the car park at Kimmeridge Bay. From here, Ros and Trudy took Archie for a walk up to Clavell's Tower. The rest of us gave in to our tummies and headed back to the tea rooms at Kimmeridge. They had no pies, but the food was good and the atmosphere in the tea rooms was very pleasant. Three people (no names) were encouraged to have a sweet to round off the meal. We were all well satisfied with the food - a big improvement on last week. In the afternoon, we drove back to Corfe Castle and walked along the path from the Heritage Centre to the village.

All in all, it was a very pleasant, sunny day and an enjoyable walk. We ended up with tea, biscuits and home-made cake at Sue's house.

The Pub

No pub this week, Instead, we visited Clavell's tea shop in Kimmeridge village. The village is old and quaint and the tea shop is nicely in keeping with the local atmosphere. The food was good and reasonably priced. The toilets were immaculate. When they forgot to charge us for our drinks, we did the decent thing and pointed it out to the serving lady.

The Wednesday Walk 12th November 2008

The Plan
Meet at Branksome Woods in the car park near the tennis courts at 10am. We will walk to the Nightjar for lunch. Pat and Beatrice (along with anyone else presently limited in walking) will be welcome to join us for lunch.

The Leader
Wendy

Who Turned Up
Wendy, Sue, Ros, Trudy and David (Trisha, Beatrice and Tony joined us for lunch)

The Walk
The forecasters promised us a nice gin-clear day and they were right. Blue skies and sunshine stayed with us all day. We met at the car park and walked down through Branksome Woods amidst some glorious sun-lit autumn colours (see photo). We stopped at Branksome Chine for tea and coffee on the restaurant balcony overlooking the beach (see photo). One walker indulged in a large cake but we have all promised to say nothing about it. It was a pity that Sue's tea was spoiled by a ripped tea bag as it was otherwise a pleasant break. From there it was another pleasant walk along the seafront and then up through the woods to the pub. Trisha, Beatrice and Tony joined us for lunch, and we actually mananged to complete two whole cryptic crosswords. After lunch we took the same route back to the cars, but without the tea/coffee break. Trisha very kindly invited the group to her house for tea.

The Pub

The Nightjar, Canford Village. We have eaten here before and been pleased with the quality of service and food. This time we were disappointed. The bar was understaffed but we could have overlooked that. Beatrice's food was fried to a frazzle and that was not acceptable. David's flakey-pastry steak pie had the look and texture of a suet pudding, with the base burned black beyond recognition. Our complaints met with the response, "Sorry, but other people have also complained." The standards will have to improve if we are ever to be tempted back there again. It was a pity because the walk was otherwise very pleasant.

The Wednesday Walk 5th November 2008

The Plan
Meet at David's for one of Trudy's New Forest walks.

The Leader
Trudy

Who Turned Up
Trudy, Wendy, Ros and David

The Walk
We began by driving to In Excess for a coffee. It's the only place we know where you can still get a cup of good, tasty coffee for under a pound. Then we drove on along the A31 and took the Stoney Cross turn-off. We continued along that road to the point where it crosses the B3078 and parked in a woodland car park there. Then we set off cross country towards Nomansland. At first we were in open country and knew exactly where we were. But we quickly dived into woodland and that was where the actual pathways and the map didn't agree. It was an interesting walk with beautiful autumn colours everywhere. We also came up against some typical autumnal muddy paths which tested the strength of our walking boots. We had booked a table at the pub for one thirty and were getting worried about our lunch as the paths deviated more and more from the map. More by luck than judgement we walked in the pub door at exactly one thirty. Not a minute before and not a minute after.
After lunch. we decided to take a shorter route back through the woods and again were confused by the differences between the actual paths and the map. At one point we had to stop and double back to an earlier path. But, once again, luck was on our side and eventually we came out exactly where we were headed for.
Overall, it was a good walk and a useful one as we now know the pitfalls of that route through the woods. Next time we'll go prepared.

The Pub
The Lamb Inn at Nomansand. A pleasant pub on the edge of a small country village. This was our first visit here and we noted that it was well patronised by senior citizens. The food was excellent and not too expensive. David's huge chicken and ham pie with veg and potatoes was £8.95. He couldn't finish it.

The Wednesday Walk 29th October 2008

The Plan

To meet at Ros's and walk from Wareham

The Leader

Wendy

Who Turned Up

Wendy, Ros, Trudy, Brian and David

The Walk

It was a cold, crisp morning with clear blue skies. Other parts of the country were suffering from an early onslaught of snow. For us, it was perfect weather for walking. We drove to Wareham and parked near the hospital. Our walk took us across the common, over the River Piddle by the old mill and then beneath the by-pass road. At a farmyard, we encountered some treacherous mud but managed to get through it without any injuries. After that, we walked on through quiet coutryside and chilly autumn-leaved woodland. Tony, Beatrice, Trisha and Pauline were waiting for us at the Silent Woman. That's a pub, not a comment on any of our friends. After lunch, we walked along a different route that took us back to Wareham via the golf course. That's where we met our only problem. We got into a housing estate and had to ask for directions to get out again. Overall, it was a very pleasant walk on a very pleasant day. We drove back to Ros's house for tea and biscuits (or was it cakes?) where Tony and Beatrice were again waiting for us.

The Pub

The Silent Woman. We have eaten here before and found the food to be good. David's steak and Guiness pie and Tony's live and bacon were excellent. But Wendy and Brian had soup which they found to be tasteless. Quite rightly, they were told they did not have to pay for it. On the up side, the toilets were spotless.

The Wednesday Walk 22nd October 2008

The Plan
To meet at Ros's house. The walk to be decided when we see how the weather pans out.

The Leader

Brian

Who Turned Up

Brian, Wendy, Ros, Sue, Trudy and David to start with. Beatrice and Tony joined us at lunchtime.

The Walk

We met at Ros's house and drove in two cars to the Arne car park. The weather was bright, sunny and crisp - just right for a walk around the Arne nature reserve. Our walk took us down towards the shore where we saw a plethora of birds and numerous deer. The tide was out which meant we saw birds on the mudflats.

We drove back to the Halfway Inn for lunch, where we met Beatrice and Tony. After lunch we returned to the car park and did another walk in the opposite direction to the morning. Beatrice waited at the car park while Tony joined in the walk.

It was a very pleasant day, the sun was shining and the Arne area was quiet. A very enjoyable walk.

We drove back to Ros's for tea and cakes. On the way, Trudy picked up an extra passenger (Leo) who appeared to enjoy all the attention he was given at Ros's.

The Pub

The Halfway Inn. The atmosphere was pleasant and the food was very good but the prices have gone up. David's Steak and Ale pie cost £10. Probably the most he has ever spent on a pie. At least he managed to eat it without spilling any.

Tony and Beatrice were already at the pub when we arrived - Beatrice on crutches after her recent accident.