The Wednesday Walk 8th January 2014

The Plan

A walk to West Moors

The Leader

Wendy

Who Turned Up

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

The Walk

This was our first walk of the New Year. Last week we were forced to cancel our walk because of appallingly wet weather. (You have it cold, Marion, very cold. We have it wet. Very wet.)
The forecasters predicted the next bout of heavy rain would reach us by four this afternoon. Heartened by that, and assuming we had a dry day ahead of us, we drove to the bottom end of Ameysford Road in Ferndown. We set off through the walkway beneath the Ferndown by-pass. Our route took us past the police headquarters, past the golf course and so onto the made-up path leading to West Moors. At this point the weather was still looking good. We found a caterpillar lost in the middle of the path and, after a discussion, decided we would not move him/her on as we didn’t really know where he/she wanted to go. We arrived in West Moors village too early for lunch so we browsed the shops. One of the ladies was enticed into a second-hand shop where she was offered an ivory carving of a male appendage at a bargain price of only £600. She resisted the temptation. Far too expensive.
When we came out of the pub after lunch, the weather looked ominous. It was only 2 o’clock but clearly the forecasters had got it wrong. We hurried back to the cars along the same route, but the rain got to us first. Oh well, we can’t win them all.

The Pub

The Elephant and Castle, West Moors. We have eaten here before and not been disappointed. The vegetarian toad-in-the-hole was good and the large steak and ale pie was excellent.

Next Week

Meet at De Mauley Road in Canford Village no later than 0950. We aim to catch the 10am bus to Swanage.

The Wednesday Walk 18th December 2013

The Plan

Our Christmas lunch

Who Walked

Ros, Trudy B, Wendy, Jackie, Pat and Sue

Who Dined

The above plus Trudy H, Brian and Pam, Beatrice and Tony, Angela, Barbara, Diane and Tony, Lew and David

The Walk

The six walkers met at Canford School and walked the trailway into Wimborne where they stopped for coffee before continuing to the pub for lunch. After lunch, rain stopped play so the six were given lifts back to their cars.

The Pub

The Coach and Horses. Before eating we were delighted to be approached by members of the Wimborne Over-the-hill Walkers (WOW). They introduced themselves and admitted to reading our blogs. You’re very welcome to read on, guys. It was nice to meet a group with similar interests. Lunch was a very pleasant gathering with good company, good chat and a good meal.

The Next Walk

No walk on Christmas Day. Meet at David’s on 30^th December for a Breamore walk.

Blatant Plug to the Wimborne Group

One of our members is a novelist. His latest WW1 novel (In Foreign Fields) today reached number 29 in Amazon UK’s list of top one hundred war novels. Find out more at: www.thenovelsofdavidhough.com and let your friends know what Dorset walkers can achieve.

 

The Wednesday Walk 4th December 2013

The Plan
A walk from Lytchett Minster to Lytchett Matravers

The Leader

Wendy

Who Turned Up

Wendy, Jackie, Trisha and David (and Sue for lunch)

The Walk

It was a good day for a winter ramble. The air was mild enough for us to open our coats as we walked. We parked at the roadside in “Conker Lane” - the road near St Peter’s Finger where we gathered conkers not so long ago. From there we walked across country to Foxhills Lane, followed it for only a short distance, and then turned back onto the footpath that took us up to Lytchett Matravers. The route was quiet and the going was generally good. Our only quibble was the state of some of the stiles. They need repair. Along the way we met a countryman with a box of ferrets who warned us of wild boar in the adjacent woodland.
After lunch we took a shorter route back, cutting out Foxhills Lane.  Sorry, no photographs this week as we were short of our two experienced photographers.

The Pub

The Rose and Crown in Lytchett Matravers. Sue joined us for lunch, arriving by car only minutes after we walked into the pub. The menu included wild boar and apple faggots which were very tasty. Only one walker chose a dessert which also turned out to be very tasty.

Next Week

Meet at Delft Woods at 1030.
Anyone missing next week’s walk should look forward to our annual dinner the following week. We will meet at Canford School at 11.00 and walk into Wimborne.

The Wednesday Walk 27th November 2013

The Plan

A walk on Upton Heath

The Leader

Mostly Wendy

Who Turned Up

Wendy, Sue, Trudy B, Trudy H, Beatrice and Tony H, David

The Walk

The day began overcast but dry. We met at a lay-by in Creekmoor, parked our cars and then set off along a trailway that took us out onto Upton Heath. The going was good, the ground dry and the day warmer than we have experienced of late. Our route took us back to Corfe Mullen where we arrived at the pub just a few minutes before they opened.
After lunch we walked down Albert Road (near the pub) turned into a woodland walk and eventually found ourselves back on Upton Heath. From here, Wendy had a guide map which led us across the open heath and back to where our cars were parked.
Overall, a good walk which took us through streets and wild places. Thanks are due to Wendy for tea and cakes and to Trudy H for the photographs.

The Pub

The Dorset Soldier, Wareham Road, Corfe Mullen. They did a good-value deal, two courses for £6.50. We all took advantage of it but only one had the starter. The food was good, worth another visit.

Next Week

Meet in “Conkers Road” at 1030. Go to St Peter’s Finger and take the road just opposite the pub. Park in a lay-by a little way along the road.

 

The Wednesday Walk 20th November 2013

 

The Plan

A walk from Branksome Chine

The LeaderNone needed

Who Turned Up

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

The Walk

The local weather forecast promised a dry morning and showers in the afternoon. They should have taken a closer look at their charts. It was dry when we parked at the car park in Leicester Road. Okay so far. And there was even a hint that we might have stayed dry. But, as we walked down through Branksome Woods, the rain started. There was a bit of wind on the shore at Branksome Chine but nothing to bother us hardy walkers. We stopped at Trisha’s beach hut for a cup of tea and biscuits (thanks, Trisha) hoping the rain would pass by before we walked on. It didn’t, and it was raining quite heavily as we approached the Argyll Bowling Club café. Hope was in our hearts as we pictured our all-day breakfasts. But hope was all we got. The Bowling club and café were locked up. A notice outside proclaimed it was open seven days a week, but a heavy lock on the gate convinced us otherwise. So we walked on to the nearest Harvester Inn at Durley Chine.
After lunch we climbed up to the Overcliff walk and made our way back through the Argyll Gardens to the promenade. By the time we got back to the beach hut it was raining again, but our day was brightened by a solid semi-circle of rainbow. Three walkers continued the walk back to the car park. Obviously the rain put a bit of a damper on the walk but we had a good outing with lots of exercise.
Our thanks to Trudy H for the photographs.

The Inn

The Harvester at Durley Chine. It wasn’t what we intended but it turned out to be a good option. The service was good, especially when we discovered where in Poland our waitress came from. And the food was well up to standard.

The Wednesday Walk 13th November 2013

The Plan

A Canford Heath walk

Who Turned Up

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

The Leader

Trudy B

The Walk

This was autumn/winter weather as it should be. We had virtually clear blue skies and no wind. We came prepared to wrap up warm but, during the walk, some of us had to start removing outer layers. We parked in Francis Avenue, near the Knighton Heath golf course. We then rambled out onto the heathland where we had glorious views right down to the coast at Poole. We saw some remaining evidence of the heath fires from last summer as well as plenty of blooming flora. We came back into civilisation at the Canford shopping centre.
After lunch we took a different route back across the heath, taking one hour and forty minutes to get back to our cars. Along the way we were regaled with entertaining stories, including a risqué way of making a tomato blush. We also heard the tale of a young maiden being straddled by a male stripper at a strip show.
Thanks to the two Trudy’s for the photographs, and thanks to Trudy B for tea and delicious cake at her house.

The Pub

The Haymoor at Canford Heath shopping centre. The food was good and not too expensive. A pie at £4.30 was deemed good value for money.

Next Week

Meet at Branksome by the tennis courts at 10.30. Lunch will be at the bowling club café.

The Wednesday Walk 6th November 2013

The Walk

Corfe Castle

The Leader

Wendy

Who Turned Up

Wendy, Trudy B, Jackie, Beatrice and Tony H, David (Later, we were joined by Sue)

The Walk

Despite a dull, windy day, we drove down to Corfe Castle and parked in the National Trust car park. We then walked across the railway line, through the deserted Norden railway station, and took a circular route that brought us back into Corfe village. This is where Sue caught up with us.
After lunch we followed West Street until we came out on the hill top with a magnificent view of the countryside and also a howling gale. We came to a mud-bath that looked almost impassable, so we doubled back into the village and made our way back to the NT information centre. We were just in time for tea and coffee (and time to start their public jig-saw puzzle) before they closed the shop.
An enjoyable walk to blow away the cob-webs.

The Pub

The Fox in Corfe Castle village. This is a very old establishment dating back to 1568. We had to wander down an alleyway to find our way into it, but the search was worthwhile. We have eaten here before and enjoyed the food. Today, everyone was happy with the meal selection, especially the pie-eater. “Nine-and-a -half out of ten,” he declared. The other half is held in reserve in case we one day find something even better.

Next Week

Meet at Trudy B’s house at 1030 for a walk on Canford Heath.