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The Plan
A
Sturminster Newton walk
The Leader
Wendy
Who Turned Up
Wendy,
Sue, Beatrice and Tony H, Diane and Tony R, David (along with Pam and Brian on
the morning leg)
The Walk
We
were delighted to have Pam and Brian join us once again. We’ve missed you!
Today,
the weather was overcast but, by and large, we avoided any serious rain. We
parked by the Old Sturminster Mill and walked through the fields to the town.
From there we set off across country on the more southerly path towards
Fiddleford, paralleling the River Stour. As we came close to Fiddleford we
found our way obstructed by building work and we had to take a detour north
onto the old railway trail.
After
lunch we kept to the direct railway trail that took us back to Sturminster.
Another short jaunt across the fields took us back to our cars. Thanks go to
Diane and Tony for the tea and cakes that rounded off the day.
The Pub
The
Fiddleford Inn. With one exception the food was well received. It was well
cooked, there was plenty of it and the service was friendly. The downside was
the poor state of the décor. If the owners could clean the snail tracks from
the floor and do something about the damp on the walls and ceilings they’d have
a pub well worth visiting again.
Next
week
Meet
at Sue’s at 10am for an Arne walk
The Plan
A
Salisbury walk
The Leader
Wendy
Who Turned Up
Wendy,
Trisha, Trudy, Sue, Tony and Beatrice H, Tony and Diane R, Jackie, David (with
guest appearances from Olga and Ray)
The Walk
Who
would believe that last week we finally (after much patient waiting) saw high
summer with the temperatures finally piling up to thirty degrees? Today it was
overcast, we barely managed twenty degrees and we had a few spots of rain. But,
undaunted, we drove up to the Salisbury Park-and-Ride car park and used our bus
passes to travel on into the city. We then met Olga and Ray. Olga walked with us on our leisurely
stroll through the water meadows and around Old Sarum ancient monument. Ray took
the easy option and was waiting for us when we reached the pub. Along the way we saw numerous flowers and plants, brought to fruition in the recent sunshine as well as bird life beside the River Avon. We also enjoyed views of the Cathedral from the water meadows, much as Constable must have done. That's the painter, not the village bobby!
After
lunch we walked through the fields and along the dry pathways back to the city
where we caught a bus to the car park. We finished off with tea and cakes at
Tony and Beatrice’s. Many thanks for your usual kind hospitality.
The Pub
The
Harvester at Old Sarum. The food was good, the service was good and the prices
were reasonable. We’ve eaten here before and not been disappointed. There were no pies, but the chicken tasted good.
Next Week
Meet
at Diane and Tony’s for a Sturminster Newton walk.
The
Plan
A walk through Branksome
Woods
The
Leader
Wendy
Who
Turned Up
Wendy,
Trisha, Sue, Trudy H, Diane, Beatrice, David, Ros (am) Trudy B (pm)
The
Walk
Summer
is coming… so the forecasters tell us… but not quite yet. We (wisely) brought
raincoats with us when we gathered at the Branksome Woods car park. It wasn’t
heavy rain that dogged us through the day, just a persistent drizzle, but we
ploughed on anyway. We stopped on the shore front for Trisha to boil a kettle
and provide tea and biscuits. We then took the steep climb up through the
tropical gardens which looked a bit out of place at the moment. They’ll perk up
next week. Outwith the tropical gardens, we saw numerous flowers and plants…
all English garden varieties. After lunch we walked along the higher road beyond
the bowling greens until descending again to shore level. It was a brisk walk
and probably did us good, but we look forward to the better weather promised
for next week. Thanks to Trisha for the tea and biscuits on the shore and at
her home.
The
Pub
Not
a pub this week but a café at the Argyll Bowls Club. A new venue for us and an
interesting one. The food was good, reasonably priced and served very quickly.
No pies, but no complaints either.
Next
Week
If
the weather turns good, there will be a drive to the Field of Dreams near
Yeovil.
The Plan
Kingston
Lacy
The Leader
Wendy
Who Turned Up
Wendy,
Sue, Trisha, Trudy B, Trudy H, Tony and Beatrice, Tony and Diane, David
The Walk
Okay,
let’s get it out in the open. Summer is ended. We had it back in March. All we
can do now is choose walks appropriate to autumn. Today we played safe and
drove to Kingston Lacy. Three walkers actually walked the grounds while the
other seven went inside the house. That occupied the morning, and by the time
we got back to the cars it was raining very heavily.
We
drove to the Lamb’s Green for lunch and then drove back to Kingston Lacy where
the drive was flooded after the morning’s rain. But the afternoon turned out
much better. We walked first to the kitchen garden and then took the longer
walk through the woods until we got back to the cars. By now we were as warm as
if it really was summer and coats were discarded.
We
finished up with tea and cakes at Beatrice and Tony’s. Many thanks for the
hospitality, folks.
Next Week
A decision will be made closer to the day, dependent upon the weather.
The Plan
A
walk from Pamphill
The Leader
Wendy
Who Turned Up
Wendy,
Trudy H, Beatrice and Tony H, David
The Walk
Our
intentions were good, but the weather got the better of us. We planned to walk from
Pamphill to Lamb’s Green via Eye Mead but the land around the water meadows was
waterlogged after the heavy rain we have experienced over the past week or
more. Plan B sent us down Vine Lane, across the Cowgrove Road, and then along
the path that parallels the river towards the Wimborne. The riverside here was
not flooded, but a light rain caught up with us as we approached the
allotments. We made our way to the new Weatherspoons restaurant in the town and
enjoyed a cup of coffee. When we judged it time for lunch, we walked on through
the town to The Rising Sun.
After
lunch, we walked through the new Waitrose parkland, along West Borough and then
School Lane. We then took the short cut that leads on up towards QE school.
Just beyond the school, we took the cross country trail that led us back to
Pamphill. During the day we saw Campion, Orchids, Ragged Robin, Birdsfoot Trefoil, Buttercups and Foxgloves (my thanks to Wendy for the list). Okay, so the walk wasn’t what we originally intended, but was still a pleasant walk, especially
as the rain cleared up after lunch. Thanks to Beatrice and Tony for tea and
cakes to round off the day.
The Pub
The
Rising Sun. The service was friendly and the food was good if a little pricey.
Next Week
We
still want to do Trisha’s Studland walk but it all depends upon the weather.
Check with Wendy closer to the day.
The Plan
Ferndown
to West Moors
Who Turned Up
Trisha,
Sue, Wendy, Trudy H, Diane and Tony R, Beatrice and Tony H, David
The Walk
Not
a day of downpours, but a cool and wet day nonetheless. We didn’t get washed out
like the river pageant on the Thames, but we did wonder whether we would get
back home dry. It was a short walk from the car park near the Inn on the Tin to
West Moors village and we were surprised to see that part of the path has now
been tarmacked. We arrived at the pub shortly before a heavy spell of rain, but
it was dry again when we started the return walk.
The Pub
The
Elephant and Castle, West Moors. We chose this one as it has more space inside
than the Tap and Railway and we were a party of nine. The food is generally
good and they have some nicely-priced deals including three courses for £5.45.
Next Week
Meet
at Pamphill near the school at 1030. We will do an alternative version of the
walk we did last week.
The Plan
A
walk from Cowgrove
Who Turned Up
Wendy,
Sue, Trisha, Diane and Tony, Beatrice, David
The Walk
It
was yet another glorious day for a Wednesday walk. We met in the car park at
Cowgrove and walked down Abbott Street and All Fools Lane – more of a footpath
than a lane - in order to visit a small craft shop. Continuing to the bottom of
All Fools Lane brought us onto Roman Road. We then had a short road walk until
we picked up the riverside walk that led us to Eye Mead, where we crossed over the
River Stour by the footbridge. From there we crossed the fields until we found
our way out at the Wimborne By-Pass roundabout near Lambs Green. By now the
heat of the day was beginning to tell and the two men were glad to get to the
pub for a cool drink.
After
lunch we walked along Willet’s Road until we reached Merley. We then strolled
into Wimborne where we needed ice creams to cool us down. Our route back to the
cars took us pass the allotments and alongside the River Stour. During the day we
saw numerous flowers including buttercups, daisies, campion and others too
numerous to mentions (or remember!). As Diane's excellent pictures show, it was a very picturesque walk, well worth repeating. But, by
now, the heat of the day was sapping us and we were glad to get back to Beatrice and Tony’s to relax with tea and
cakes. Many thanks B&T.
The Pub
The
Lambs Green. We have eaten here before. They do a reasonable meal for £6.
Next Week
We
will postpone Trisha’s Studland walk because the schools are on holiday next week.
Instead we will meet at David’s at 10am for a walk to West Moors.
