The Wednesday Walk 24th July 2014

 

The Plan

A Branksome Chine breakfast walk

The Leader

A democratic vote

Who Turned Up

Wendy, Trudy B, Trudy H, Diane and Tony R, Beatrice and Tony H, David

The Walk

After last week’s exceptional heat we were glad of a cooler start to the day. We met by the Branksome tennis courts at eight o’clock and walked down through Brnaksome Woods. There was some cloud cover and we had the additional advantage of tree cover so the walk was refreshingly cool. Along the way we came across a poor lonely toad who didn’t seem to like our efforts to get him out in the open for a photo shoot. At Branksome Chine beach we bought our morning infusions of coffee in the beach shop and drank them on the beach-side seats. We then walked along the shore and up through the gardens to the Argyle Bowling Club. Breakfast was eaten in the club café.
After breakfast we walked back down to the shore and followed (almost) a reverse route back to the cars. By now the beach was getting busier with families out to enjoy another day of sunshine.

The Pub

No pub this week. The Argyle Bowling Club did a nice line in breakfasts which we judged to be as good as last week’s Weatherspoons’ breakfasts.

 

Next Week

Meet at Tony and Beatrice's no later than 0945 for a trip to Salisbury.

The Wednesday Walk 17th July 2013

The Plan

A breakfast walk

The Leader

Wendy

Who Turned Up

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

The Walk

We met at Pamphill beside the village school. We then walked down Holly Lane, a narrow country path, to Cowgrove. From there we walked along the bank of the River Stour to Eye Grove and photographs were taken on the bridge. We saw numerous trout in the river here. We then walked through the fields to the Wimborne allotments and so into the town. We tried to get our breakfasts at The King’s Head but they hadn’t enough food for nine of us. No problem, their loss. We went across the road to Weatherspoons and had some very good breakfast meals.
Three walkers ended their walk here while the other six took the return route to Pamphill. All agree that the idea of a breakfast walk was a good one.

The Pub

Weatherspoons Man in the Wall in Wimborne. Very good value for money. A large breakfast represents a full-sized meal and was reasonably priced. And they serve beer with it, again at a very reasonable price.

Next Week

Meet a Branksone Chine by the tennis courts at 8am for another breakfast walk

 

The Wednesday Walk 10th July 2013

Our thanks to Diane for the write-up on this walk

The Plan

Mike's Walk at Turners Puddle

Who Turned Up

Trudy, Trisha, Wendy, Tony H, Tony R, Diane, Beatrice and Sue.

The Walk
The original plan was to walk Preston but as the hot weather continued we opted for a cooler walk under the trees. We followed the usual path through woodland onto a small heath and down through more woodland into Shitterton. The walk passed fields of poppies The choice of this walk was a good one as we managed to stay relatively cool but never the less arrived at the pub after a visit to Bere Regis church feeling rather warm.Three ladies opted to do half the walk and remained in Bere Regis. The valiant five set of in the heat of the day to a return journey following part of the morning walk. We deviated towards the end to view Mike's plaque, that is after Trudy had valiantly thrashed the overgrown ferns. We watched a glider being released from the tow plane and he spiraled upwards using the thermals.
Our thanks to Wendy for tea and cakes at the end of the walk.

The Pub

The pub was busy but we all managed to sit either inside or out as was our choice. The service was prompt and courteous and the food very good and reasonably priced.

Next week

Ring Diane about 6.00 pm on Tues. to decide on a breakfast walk at Pamphill or a walk to Hengistbury Head meeting at Trudy's for 9.45 am the choice is according to the temperature!

 

The Wednesday Walk 3rd July 2013

The Plan

A walk on Brownsea Island

The Leader

Wendy

Who Turned Up

Wendy, Trudy B, Trisha, Beatrice and Tony H, Diane and Tony R, David

The Walk

We are on the verge of a period of hot weather, but it hasn’t hit us yet. Today was overcast but not too cold, almost ideal for walking. We parked in the side streets near the Sandbanks Ferry and caught a Brownsea Island Ferry from the adjacent slipway. The morning walk took us along the main paths to Pottery Pier. The afternoon walk took us back down the western side of the island and included a stop at the site where Baden-Powell held his 1907 experimental boy scout camp. Look at the photos to see our own scout gathering. Look also to see the animals we encountered, including a peacock who showed us his magnificent erection, a peahen with her four chicks and a red squirrel. We finished the walk with tea and coffee at the island café before catching the ferry back to Sandbanks.

The Lunch

No pub this week as we took packed lunches and ate them on the beach near Pottery Pier

Next Week

Meet at Wendy’s no later than 0945 for a drive to Preston (no detours to Blackpool envisaged)

The Wednesday Walk 26th June 2013

The Walk

Holmsley to Burley

The Leader

Trudy B

Who Turned Up

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

The Walk

The forecasters promised sunshine and warmth. We had the warmth, but the sun was mostly hidden behind clouds. We parked at the Holmsley Walk car park and set off towards Burley. Somewhere along the way we may have taken a wrong turn because we were late arriving at the pub. But it was a pleasant morning walk.
After lunch we aimed to take a short route back to the cars but the gremlins were now working against us and confusing our natural sense of navigation. When we met a large bog, Diane and Tony elected to plough on in the hope of getting back to the cars quickly. They succeeded – with help! The rest of us turned back from the bog to find another route. Okay guys, let’s own up to it: we had to ask a group of schoolgirls where we were! And they were able to tell us exactly where we were. However, by the time we reached the cars it was after five o’clock.
The day was ended with tea and cakes at Trudy’s house. Thanks, Trudy, for the slice of cake you left in my car. I enjoyed it.

The Pub

The Queen’s Head in Burley (management please add the apostrophe to your signs). We were late arriving at the pub, for which we can only blame ourselves. But it was not our fault that we had to wait three quarters of an hour for our order to be served. Neither was it our fault that Trudy’s meal was of very poor quality and David’s pie crust was as hard as lead. Diane – blessings be upon her – managed to persuade the management to refund the cost of those meals. She then gave them a tip because her complaint was dealt with in a charming manner. So something good came out of it.

Next Week

Meet at the Brownsea Ferry beside the Sandbanks Ferry at 1030 and bring a packed lunch.

The Wednesday Walk 19th June 2013

The Plan

Ringstead Bay to Osmington Mills

The Leader

Democracy, with a nudge from Trudy B

Who Turned Up

Trudy B, Trudy H, Trisha, Beatrice and Tony H, Diane and Tony R, David

The Walk

This one was postponed from last week because of the weather. Today we had the right temperature – mid-twenties – and we had the benefit of some high cloud to shield us from the sun’s rays. But we had no wind. That made the air hot and humid. However, we parked the cars on the hill overlooking Ringstead Bay and we set off down the rural path towards the shore, with a brief stop at the little wooden church. By now we had become aware that the weather conditions were going to work against us, but we pressed on bravely to Osmington Mills. A cold beer beckoned!
After lunch we headed back towards Ringstead. Beatrice and Trisha opted to wait to be collected at the café, which was probably a wise decision. The remaining six struggled up the hill to where the cars were parked. We noticed a paraglider on the hillside who seemed unable to get airborne with the lack of wind. As the hill got steeper so the hot, humid atmosphere became more of a problem. No one collapsed in the process but more than one walker was left feeling exhausted.
We finished off with drinks and cake at Diane and Tony’s house. Being the trooper she is, Diane helped our recovery admirably with cold drinks and ice cream. Many thanks, Diane.

The Pub

The Smuggler’s Inn, Osmington Mills. The pub was not too busy and we sat outside under an awning. The food was good but a bit expensive and Trisha’s meal seemed to get lost somewhere along the line.

Next Week

Meet at Trudy B’s house but watch this space in case the weather turns bad.

The Wednesday Walk 12th June 2013

 

The Plan

A walk at Ringstead Bay

The Leader

Wendy

Who Turned Up

Wendy, Sue, Trisha, Trudy B, Trudy H, Diane and Tony R, Beatrice and Tony H, David

The Walk

Wasn’t summer beautiful? All those bright, cloudless days and that warm sunshine. Keep it in mind because it’s gone now. Today began with low cloud and drizzle. The Ringstead walk was quickly put on hold and an alternative agreed. We would walk along the trailway from Broadstone to Wimborne. As a precaution two cars were placed at strategic points, one at Delft Woods and one at the pub in Wimborne. We set out in good spirits despite the drizzle. Luckily it did not develop into a full-blown downpour and we arrived in Wimborne relatively undamaged after a three mile jaunt.
After lunch the weather was only marginally worse. However, three walkers opted to catch a bus back to Broadstone. Two walked to the car at Delft Woods and drove from there. The remaining five walked the full route back to the start point. By then the rain was getting heavier. But we did accomplish around six miles of walking.
We finished off with tea and cake at Wendy’s house. Thank you, Wendy.

The Pub

The Coach and Horses, Wimborne. We’ve eaten here before and been happy with the service. The food was wholesome, reasonably priced, delivered in good time and the service was friendly.

Next Week

Meet at Diane and Tony’s at 0945 Depending upon the weather we may try for a Ringstead walk or something more local.