The Wednesday Walk 25th May 2011

Thanks to Diane for this week's write-up

The Walk
A stroll around Wareham

The Leader
Wendy

Who turned Up
Wendy, Sue, Ros, Diane Tony,Trudy1 and Trudy2.

The Walk
We parked by the Police Station and set off up the grassy track on top of the wall.We stopped to admire the views across the river. The sounds of a distant cuckoo, the rustling of the rushes and flowering foxgloves added to the beauty of the walk. As we approached the church a foreign gentleman offered to take our photo (leaving his charge in a wheelchair in the middle of the road!)
Off we went to our lunch stop at the Horse and Groom. After our refreshments we crossed the causeway to Melancholy Lane. Our way took us through the tiny village of Ridge. The fields beyond were a sea of waving buttercups (Eat your heart out Wordsworth). As we neared the river some of the more observent of the group saw three large deer - or was it the drink having an effect? This path by the water is particularly pretty with colourful boats and distant views of the Purbecks. We reached our cars by the grass covered wall and set off for our tea at Wendy's. The passion fruit and mango roll was delicious. Thanks Wendy.

The Pub
Very good tasty food and not at all expensive. We all ate for about £5. The pie eater missed a steak and kidney pie (shame!!)

Next Week
Meet at David's for a walk from Minstead.

The Wednesday Walk 18th May 2011

The Walk
Mudeford

The Leader
None needed. We all knew the way.

Who Turned Up
Diane and Tony R, Trisha, Wendy, Sue, Beatrice and David

The Walk
We met at Haskins Garden Centre before driving to Avon Beach car park at Mudeford. The weather was not as good as we have enjoyed in previous weeks but at least it stayed dry. We walked along the shore to Mudeford then climbed the cliff path to the town and made our way to the pub.
After lunch we took the cliff top route through the Steamer Point nature reserve back to Avon Beach. It was a generally relaxed walk with no one rolling underneath gates and no one getting hopelessly lost.

The Pub
The Globe at Highcliffe. Let me say first of all that the chicken pie was very tasty. I want to get that out of the way before announcing that the three people who had minute steaks were disappointed. One was given a replacement steak. The other two had their money refunded without having to ask for it. That simple act of customer care makes us happy to return to the Globe again. Well done to the waitress concerned.

Next Week
Meet at Wendy's at 10am for a Wareham walk.

The Wednesday Walk 11th May 2011

The following write-up courtesy of Diane

The Plan-
A walk around Morden

The Leader
Tony H

Who Turned Up
Five headless chickens: Tony R,Tony H, Beatrice, Diane and Sue.

The Walk
The five headless chicken were driven by Tony R to Morden taking the scenic route round and round various country lanes. Eventually by mutual consent the five headless chickens decided to park at The Cock and Bottle and do the whole walk before lunch. Armed only with an ancient book of walks and no map they set off for a circular route around East and West Morden. this presented the flock with an hilarious morning, scrambling over stiles and under gates.At one point it looked as if a helicopter had been called out, but the flock pressed on regardless enjoying the scenery in the cloudy but dry conditions.Herds of galloping cows, nosey alpacas and cockerels were admired and photographed. Dishevelled from the assault course the flock finally arrived back at the pub for a welcome drink and lunch.

The Pub
The Cock and Bottle was expensive for both food and drinks, however the quality was very good and everyone enjoyed their choice.

The Wednesday Walk 4th May 2011

The write-up this week courtesy of Diane

The Plan
Bicton to Fordingbridge

Who Turned Up
Diane, Tony, Sue, Trish and Wendy

The Leader
Wendy

The Walk
We parked at Bicton crossroads and crossed a field to Stuckton admiring the ponies on the way. The lane was beautifully lined with cowparsley and our way continued by a steam.Shortly we joined Hern Lane and followed this crossing the road into Fordingbridge. The shop windows had plenty to admire as we made our way to the Ship for lunch.
After our refreshments we headed down the street crossing the Stour and later admiring the swans with their signets. We all (except Sue that is) heard our first cuckoo. Perhaps Diane doesn't need a hearing aid after all! As we approached Bicton Mill we saw some black swans.
The hamlet of Bicton looked particularly pretty with their thatched cottages surrounded by a riot of colour form labernum trees, roses and horsechestnut This route led us back to our car. Afterwards we all enjoyed tea and cakes at Diane and Tony's

The Pub
The Ship had their usual offer of two courses for £6.99, which as always was excellent for quality and value and was enjoyed by all.

Next Week
Meet at Diane and Tony's 10.00am for a walk to Hengistbury Head.

The Wednesday Walk 27th April 2011

The Plan

Athelhampton to Tolpuddle

The Leader
Wendy

Who Turned Up

Wendy, Trisha, Sue, Trudy, Beatrice, Diane, Tony R, David

The Walk

We drove to Athehampton House and parked in the car park in front of the house. Then we crossed the main road and headed through High Wood and Cowpound Wood where the ground was a mass of bluebells. Crossing open fields we had some wonderful views towards open land south of us. In one of these fields we came across a monument to a foreign soldier killed in WW2 who loved the view here. We came past Southover as we made our way into Tolpuddle and lunch at the Martyr's Inn.

 After lunch we took the shorter, straighter route back to Athelhampton  past Highwood Farm. The flowers we saw along the way included: Bluebells, bluebells, bluebells, Cowslips, Buttercups, Stitchwort and Campion. (Sounds like a line from the song English Country Garden!)
The weather was cooler in the morning but after lunch we had to start discarding outer clothes as it got warmer.
Tea at Wendy's was accompanied by hot home-made scones and jam. Many thanks, Wendy.

The Pub
The Martyr's Inn at Tolpuddle. If you haven't been there, Marion, Tolpuddle is a village noted in history because a group of local agricultural labourers who formed a union were prosecuted under a law designed to prevent mutiny at sea and were transported to the Antipodes. Anyway, the service at the pub was excellent, starting with complimentary dishes of salad. The steak and ale pie was very nicely done.

The Wednesday Walk 20th April 2011

The Plan
Winterborne Clenston to Winterborne Whitechurch

The Leader
Wendy

Who Turned Up
Wendy, Trudy, Sue, Ros, Jackie, Beatrice and one lone pie-eating male

The Walk
I have to keep reminding myself that this is still April. The weather would be considered good if it came in the middle of August. For this time of the year it is outstanding. We drove to Winterborne Clenston and parked in the field adjacent to the church, a spot we last used on a walk to Milton Abbas. This time we walked a little farther along the main road, past the manor house, and then turned along a path that led us up into Whatcombe Woods. Our semi-circular route took us through woods and pastures that were a riot of colours with all the wild flowers in bloom. Wendy has reminded me that we saw bluebells, wild garlic, speedwell, cowslips, buttercups, daises.... and others.
After lunch, we took the more direct route on the eastern side of the main road, leading us back to the cars at Winterborne Clenston.
We finished up with tea and cake (actually is was a huge sponge CAKE) at Sue's house. Many thanks, Sue. Your cakes are always special.

The Pub
We ate at the Milton Arms pub in Winterborne Whitechurch. The food was good and the service was friendly. The home-made chicken and mushroom pie was up to scratch.

Next Week
Meet at Wendy's for a walk from Affpuddle

The Wednesday Walk 13th April 2011

Thanks are due to Wendy for kindly writing up the blog this week.

The Plan
To do the Mike Collins Walk from Turners Puddle to Bere Regis

The Leaders
Pat and Jackie

Who Turned Up
Tony, Trudy, Wendy and Sue with grandson Daniel


The Walk
On arrival we found the parking area had been reduced. As this was a recce for a Sunday walk, Jackie and Pat found the farmer’s wife and asked for permission to park in the unauthorised area. This could be arranged (this path has been adopted by EXTEL in memory of Mike Collins who had been a walks leader and secretary for many years). After a game of ‘skimming stones’ in the nearby ford, we set off.
The sky was cloudy but as yet no sign of the forecast rain. It was a pleasant walk up a wide track, there were a number of friendly horses in the surrounding fields who came to say ‘hello’. The spring flowers were starting to bloom in profusion, primroses, celandines, violets, some early bluebells. At the top of the hill there was a fine view of Bere Regis. We descended to the little village of S(h)itterton. Some villagers didn’t like the name of the village and decided to drop the ’h’ so it now has two names. We had a game of Pooh Sticks in the lovely clear stream before taking the path and boardwalk beside the stream on our way to the Royal Oak pub for lunch. There were beautiful yellow kingcups all along the stream. As we were a bit early we went into the church and looked at the beautiful roof with the carved wooden apostles painted in bright colours. Unfortunately the lead roof had been stolen earlier in the year, not once but twice. Because the thieves cut all the electrical wires, we were unable to switch on the lights, but the roof was very impressive all the same. We had our lunch at the pub, then after a shopping expedition for some local watercress we set off back to Turners Puddle. The little wood where the memorial stone has been placed is a beautiful bluebell wood but although there were some bluebells starting to flower the full effect will not be visible for another week or two. After the walk we all headed back to Jackie’s for some lovely cakes and welcome cups of tea. Thank you Jackie

The Pub
The Royal Oak in Bere Regis. The deal of the day was 2 meals for £10. The food was well cooked and the staff were very friendly. Unfortunately the pie eater was absent.


Next week
Meet at 9.45am at Sue’s for a walk at Winterborne Clenston