The Wednesday Walk 6th January 2016

The Plan

Talbot Heath and Meyrick Park

The Leader

Trudy B

Who Turned Up

Trudy, Wendy, Sue, Jackie, David

The Walk

It was a much better day than last Wednesday, when we had to curtail our plans. This time we parked in Langside Avenue in calm, sunny conditions. The walk took us out onto Talbot Heath which was a bit muddy in places but generally easily tackled. At the far end of the heath we walked out into Branksome Hill Road and then Glenfurness Avenue before entering Mayrick Park and the golf course. Two walkers then took the shorter route to the club house while the other three took a more roundabout route.

After lunch we took a slightly different route back to Langside, passing through Pug’s Hole and again crossing Talbot Heath. Pug’s Hole is believed to have been named after a smuggler known as Pug who is said to have hidden his contraband here. That would have been some while ago, of course. The wood is a mixture of coniferous and deciduous trees and attracts birds such as nuthatches, coal tits and goldcrests. Talbot Heath - which we crossed in each direction - is today only a small remaining fragment of an area which once stretched from Christchurch to Dorchester. It is dominated by heathers and gorse. Wildlife here includes lizards and adders. Birdlife includes stonechats and dartford warblers. Along the way, we passed by some tall radio masts and wondered at their purpose. Military maybe? They don’t look like civilian phone or television masts.

The Pub

The Pulse café within the Mayrick Park Gold Club. As last week, the food was good and the service friendly.

Next Week

Probably a Wareham walk.