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The Plan
Blue Pool
to Corfe Castle
The Leaders
Jackie
and Trudy
Who Turned Up
Jackie,
Trudy B, Sue, Trisha, Wendy, Tony and Diane R, David
The Walk
It was
another warm day, the sort of day that should have been slotted somewhere into
June or July. We parked the cars at a layby on the Furzebrook Road and set off
through the woods in the direction on Corfe. A sharp right turn and a steep
uphill climb took us onto the trail known as the Purbeck Way. This led us
straight into Corfe Castle village, which seemed to be enjoying a resurgence of
visitors after the summer holiday period. Most were of our generation and some
were Canadian visitors.
After
lunch, we walked back to the NT trust visitor centre and then across the
railway line onto a path which took us to Norden. We walked through a holiday
camp site in order to regain the trail back through the woods. We decided on a
detour that took us to the memorial stone erected to the memory of the Creech
Barrow Seven. You can read more about them at: http://churchknowle.doomby.com/pages/creech-barrow-seven.html.
At this point the heat and the long trail became too much for a small number of
our party who waited at the memorial stone to be picked up by one of the
drivers. All-in-all, it was a very good walk, rounded off with tea and biscuits
at Jackie’s. Thank you, Jackie.
The Pub
The
Bankes Arms at Corfe Castle. We ate outside in clear view of the castle and
within earshot of the steam railway station. The Canadian visitors also chose
this pub garden for their lunch. The food was good, but the pie-eater probably
ate the meal destined for one of our Canadian cousins, who had to wait a little
longer to be fed.
The Plan
A walk to
the Claypipe
Who Turned Up
Wendy,
Sue, Beatrice and Tony H, Tony R, David
The Walk
Due to a
little misunderstanding, the two cars ended up parked in different locations. No
real problem. We began the walk at the end of Filluel Road and set out along
the track that took us over the Morden Bog Nature Reserve. A walk of about
three miles brought us into Sandford and in sight of the pub. The weather was
beautiful, calm and just a little overcast.
After
lunch we crossed the main road and walked up Station Road past the old Admiralty
Research Site. We then turned right onto a path that led us back to the main
road near the school roundabout. This is where we heard the sound of loud aero
engines overhead and looked up to see TWO Avro Lancasters fly past at low
altitude. As there are only two airworthy examples of that aircraft, we were
lucky to see them together flying in formation. What a pity we had no cameras
this week.
We finished
off with tea and cake at Sues. Thank you Sue. Sorry I was still too bloated
with steak and ale pie to enjoy your cakes.
The Pub
The
Claypipe at Sandford. The first pleasant surprise was the beer. Ringwood Ale
cheaper than at any other pub we know of. Then came the meals. All good quality,
but the steak and ale pie was a knockout. The large portion came as TWO slices of
very nicely home-cooked pie. Quality 9 out of 10. Value for money 11 out of 10.
The pie eater was struggling to finish the two slices.
Next Week
Provisionally,
we will meet at Jackie’s at 10am for a Blue Pool walk, unless you hear
otherwise.
The Plan
The
Rodwell Trail
The Leader
Jackie
Who Turned Up
Jackie,
Wendy, Trisha, Sue, Tony R, Tony H, David
The Walk
Technically,
we’re at the end of our summer but the weather today was perfect for a summer
walk. A little early fog and mist quickly burned off to give us blue skies and
temperatures in the low/mid twenties. We drove to the Weymouth Park-and-Ride
where a £3 fee gave us parking and a bus ride for all passengers to and from
the town centre. A short hop through the town took us to the start of the
Rodwell Trail, nicely marked by metal men in railway uniforms. The trail
followed the old railway line up an incline to Wyke Regis and on to the Ferry
Bridge. Along the way, we detoured to Sandsfoot Park where we hoped to find a café,
but it was shut. Never mind, we plodded on to the Ferry Bridge and had a drink
in the pub before eating our sandwiches while looking out over Portland
Harbour. The view was glorious. A cruise ship, Artania of the Phoenix-Reisen Line was anchored in the harbour,
part of its Round-Britain tour.
Sandwiches
eaten, we walked on to Chesil Beach and climbed the shingle bank to admire the
view from the top. Another glorious view for such a beautiful day. We were now
into mid-afternoon so we caught a bus back to the town centre and had time for
an ice cream before returning to our cars.
Not
having had a full meal, four of the group were joined by three wives for a meal
at the Table Table pub in Holes Bay, Poole. A very nice ending to a very good
Wednesday walk, especially as the pub did a nice chicken and ham pie!
Next Week
Meet at
Sue’s for a Clay Pipe walk.
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