The Wednesday Walk 17th February 2010

The Plan
A walk to East Chaldon

The Leader
Trisha

Who Turned Up
Trisha, Wendy, Beatrice, Ros, Trudy and David

The Walk
After yesterday's low cloud and rain we were lucky today to have blue skies and sunshine. A good day for a Purbeck walk. We drove to Dagger's Gate on the hills beyond West Lulworth where we left the cars. We were only minutes into the walk when we came across a squad of soldiers running with heavy (70lb) back loads. It was interesting to watch the expressions on the faces of the men at the front of the run (having their kit dutifully weighed to make sure they were not cheating) with those way back along the pathway. Once we came to the highest point on the walk we had a good panoramic view of the sea although the distant coast at Portland was a bit hazy. We also came across snowdrops, daisies and primroses. The last part of the morning walk involved some steep up and down hills which made us ready for a drink at the pub.
After lunch we set off on a different route back with only one steep climb. Once again we benefitted from sunshine and blue sky. At the end of the day we called at Wendy's for buttered hot cross buns and tea. Thanks, Wendy.

The Pub
The Sailor's Return at East Chaldon. A big improvement on last week. Not only was the pie good (turkey and ham) but the baked potatoes were not bad either. And we managed to finish Trisha's crossword.

Next Week
Meet and Beatrice and Tony's for a Witchampton walk.

The Wednesday Walk 10th February 2010

The Plan

A Breamore walk.

The Leader

Trisha, assisted by Wendy

Who Turned Up

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

The Walk
We drove through Fordingbridge and out on the Whitsbury road, parking alongside the road near Whitsbury Cross. We began with a short detour to see the woodland snowdrops (see pictures) and then set off through the woods towards Breamore. The air was chilly but didn't look threatening. And that was deceptive. About ten minutes later we were attacked by driving snow on an icy wind. Not at all daunted by it, we pressed on with more blizzards chilling us to the bone until we reached the pub at Breamore. We arrived to find we were the only customers, which was hardly surprising in view of the weather.
After lunch the snow had disappeared and the walk back to the cars was decidedly pleasant: cold but brisk.

The Pub
The Bat and Ball at Breamore. A pleasant sort of place alongside the main Salisbury Road. The bar maid was very accommodating, but she was also the serving wench and the cook. When other customers finally arrived the bar maid was in the kitchen, cooking, and we wondered whether we should drag her away from preparing our meals or take over the bar ourselves. In the event we alerted her to the customers and she left the cooking unattended. Maybe that was why those who ordered baked potatoes and/or omelettes were disappointed with their meals. Those who chose wisely (steak and ale pie) were well satisfied.

Next week
Meet at Wendy's for a walk to East Chaldon. If the weather is bad, check before leaving home.

The Wednesday Walk 3rd February 2010

The Plan
The Wareham Forest

The Leader
Wendy

Who Turned Up
Wendy, Trisha, Sue, Beatrice, Tony H and David

The Walk
The morning started with a miserable drizzle interspersed with periods of rain. Hardly the best weather for walking. We decided to drive to Wareham and play the walk according to how we found the local conditions. In the event, we parked in a side street and walked through Wareham to the Granary on the quayside for a morning coffee. To our delight, we found the restaurant has been refurbished and is now quite a delightful place to eat. After coffee, we walked up to the tourist centre and had a browse around, followed by more browsing in a charity shop where Tony bought a new belt. We then drove to The Silent Woman for lunch. (For the benefit of our overseas readers, I should explain that The Silent Woman is a pub and not some strange mute lady we chose to call upon!) This was where Jackie joined us for an hour. Nice to see you with us again, Jackie.
By now the rain had passed by and after lunch we drove a few yards down the road to the Sika Trail car park in Wareham Forest. During the morning we had heard loud blasts coming from the Bovingdon Camp direction. We heard more after lunch and saw a RN helicopter buzzing overhead. We assumed the military were at their war games. The cloud was beginning to break up as we enjoyed a pleasant walk through the forest trails.
We finished with tea and biscuits at Wendy's. Many thanks, Wendy.


The Pub
The Silent Woman. We've eaten here before. The food is good but expensive so most of us opted for a brunch. No pies!!

Next Week
Meet at David's for a walk around Breamore.

The Wednesday Walk 27th January 2010

The Plan

Walk the shore from Mudeford to Highcliffe

The Leader

Wendy

Who Turned Up

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

The Walk

Winter has already lasted too long and we're not even at the end of January. We were all glad to get down to the shore and have a bracing walk and a lungful of fresh sea air. It was nice, also, to see Brian out with us again. We parked the cars at the western end of the promenade at Mudeford, surprised to discover that parking here is still free. You don't get too many things free these days. The first short leg of the walk took us to the promenade cafe for a cup of coffee. Well, it was a cold morning and some of our walkers do have a real taste for coffee. Then we walked along the lower path at the head of the beach before climbing up to Highcliffe Castle. The air was cold and misty, but it was dry. As usual, we continued into Highcliffe for lunch.

After lunch, we returned along the cliff top path through the nature reserve at Steamer Point. We finished off by driving back to Brian's for tea and biscuits. Many thanks, Brian.

The Pub

The Globe at Highcliffe. We've eaten here many times before and always found it good value. Today, they were doing two meals for £10. No pies, but it was still a very good value deal. And we almost managed to finish Trisha's crossword.

The Wednesday Walk 20th January 2010

The Plan
A cross-country walk to Dewlish

The Leader
Trudy

Who Turned Up
Trudy, Wendy, Beatrice, Ros, Tricia, Sue, David

The Walk
The snow has all gone only to be replaced by rain. After a bright day yesterday, today we were treated to a cold mizzling drizzle. We drove on past Milbourne St Andrew to a parking spot near Crowthorne Farm. Fortunately, we all came kitted out with wet weather gear as we needed it when set off across the muddy fields. Even the woodland paths were thick with clingy mud. But we were a determined bunch: determined to enjoy the chance of a walk without the risk of falling on snow or ice. We even saw snowdrops pushing their hardy way up into daylight. The rain didn't let up all morning and we arrived at the pub in a state of saturation.
After lunch, the heavy clouds had passed on by and we set off with a lighter step ... until we got to the top of the hill leading out of Dewlish and had to tackle the sticky paths again. Sue had elected to stay at the pub for an extra cup of coffee, leaving six of us to tackle the return walk. After half an hour, the group split again. Ros, Trudy and Tricia decided to take a longer route back to the cars while Wendy led Beatrice and David on a more direct path.
Despite the rain, it was good to be out in the open country again, breathing in all that fresh air. We finished off with tea and cakes with Beatrice and Tony (who had been busy redecorating at home).

The Pub
The Oak at Dewlish. This was where Michael used to enjoy the faggots. Joy of joy, they still had home-made faggots on the menu. As the faggots were available, no pies were consumed, a point to go on record. The prices were reasonable and the food was well prepared. Someone asked how the sausages could be called Dewlish sausages when there was no butcher in Dewlish. The rest of us ate up and said nothing.

Next Week
Meet at Brian's at ten o'clock (later than usual) for a Highcliffe walk.

The Wednesday Walk 13th January 2010

The Plan
A walk across Canford Heath

The Leaders
Wendy and Trudy

Who Turned Up
Wendy, Trudy, Mark (Morning walk) Ros, Beatrice, Tony, Sue (Lunch) and David

The Walk
Most of us hadn't had a decent walk for two weeks because of the weather. Today changed all that. We met at the car park on Gravel Hill, beside the entrance to Canford Heath Nature Reserve. At the start of the walk it was still a bit chilly but we were all warmly wrapped and prepared for a brisk trot across the heath. The snow was already beginning to melt but the evidence of the past two weeks was still around. Parts of the track were steep and slippery and we had to detour around one downward slope. The atmosphere of being way out in the wilds was made even more enjoyable by the knowledge that we were only a few miles from home.
We crossed the heath to Wallisdown where Sue was waiting to join us for lunch.
After lunch we took a different path back across the heath, starting with a walk across the golf course. By now the thaw was really setting in and we found the paths to be very slushy. At times we were walking in a stream. But the pleasure of being out in the middle of the heath was still with us. All-in-all it was a very pleasant walk. To add to the enjoyment, we drove home on roads that were now completely clear.

The Pub
The Miller and Carter, Wallisdown. This was once well known to us as The Mountbatten Arms. The new name sounds odd but the meal was good. The lunch deal in the bar was £6.50. No pies, but the selection was generally well appreciated.

Next Week
Meet at Beatrice and Tony's for a Dewlish walk.

The Wednesday Walk 6th January 2010

The Plan

The original plan was to walk to Highcliffe along the shore. This idea was put aside when Hampshire became snowbound.

The Leader

Trudy

Who Turned Up

Wendy, Trudy, Mark

The Walk

The weather on Wednesday morning was unusual. The entire country was snowbound except for a small area around Bournemouth. Hamphire having become another Isle of White, the planned walk to Highcliffe was cancelled and an alternative plan to walk closer to home was hastily put together. In the event, shortly after breakfast the snow began to encroach on the outer extremities of the Bournemouth hinterland and quickly turned heavy. The northern wastes of Ferndown soon became arctic. Broadstone still being within the weather protected area, Wendy, Trudy and Mark were courageous enough to venture out, but they soon found themselves in the wild white yonder. True to the spirit of Captain Scott, they walked over Turbary Common in a snow blizzard. They reported seeing wild ponies, squirrells, rabbits and a woodpecker. We can only imagine how cold those poor animals felt. The walkers also reported seeing gorse in bloom.

The Pub

The walkers had coffee in the Mountbatten Arms and then hastened back to Trudy's for a bowl of soup. A wise decision.

Next Week

We have a choice, depending upon the weather. We may go for Dewlish, Highcliffe or Canford Heath. A decision will be made closer to the time.