The Wednesday Walk 25th May 2016

The plan

The Sika Trail into Wareham

Who Turned Up

Wendy, Trudy H, Diane and Tony R, David

The Walk

It wasn’t the brightest of days – we had one of those only yesterday – but it was dry and that was a blessing. Last week’s attempt at this same walk ended in a washout. This week we began at the Sika Trail car park, near the Silent Woman pub. From there we crossed the main road and walked out across Carey Heath, passing by Carey House. We had some doubts about the going underfoot at Ferncroft Farm but, in the event, the ground was dry and solid. We crossed the River Piddle at West Mills and came into Wareham town by the hospital. A short walk along the Wareham Walls took us into North Street and the pub.

What can I tell you about Wareham? Well, there was once a Roman settlement here but no one knows what it was called. Come the Anglo Saxon occupation, it was called Werham, a name drawn from the old English. Wer, meaning ‘fish trap,’ and hamm meaning ‘homestead enclosed by water’. Well, it is sited between two rivers, the Frome and the Piddle. It’s thought that the walls or ramparts were built by Alfred the Great in the ninth century. In the year 1015, the town was attacked by Canute – the guy who didn’t hold back the sea - and it was left in ruins. By the end of the Saxon period, Wareham had become an important town with not one but two royal mints. Enough of that.

After lunch, we walked up past the railway station to Northmoor Park and then out into the forest. A pleasant walk through the woodland brought us back to the cars. We finished off with tea and cake at Wendy and Lou’s house. Thanks go to Wendy for the very welcome cup of tea and to Trudy for the delicious cream cake. Thanks also to Trudy and Diane for the photographs.

The Pub

The King’s Arms, Wareham. We’ve eaten here before and found the atmosphere convivial. This week they advertised an authentic Cornish pasty on the specials board. Three of us opted for it. Your blogmaster was in eager anticipation of a dish from his birthplace. Well, it was a good try, guys, but no Cornishman would ever call it authentic. A real Cornish pasty has (pastry) knob handles at each end and overhangs the plate at both ends. However, the insides were tasty and formed from the correct ingredients.

Next Week

Meet at Beatrice and Tony’s at 0945 for a walk at Sturminster Newton

The Wednesday Walk 20th April2016

Apologies for the walk details coming late this week. Your blog-writer was away on holiday in Devon, tootling the engine whistle on the Dartmouth Steam Railway. Meanwhile, the hardy Wednesday Walkers  drove to Studland, where they commenced a pleasant walk to Ulwell. They enjoyed an excellent lunch at the village inn before returning to Studland via Old Harry Rock. A demanding walk with a few hills thrown in, but one that was enjoyed by all.

Thanks to Trudy H for the photographs and notes.

Next week: meet at Beatrice and Tony’s at 10.15.

The Wednesday Walk 13th April 2016

The Plan

Bere Regis and Michael’s walk

Who Turned Up

Jackie, Trudy B, Trudy H, Tricia, Tony and Diane R, Tony H, David (Sue joined us for lunch and the afternoon walk)

The Walk

What a glorious day. We drove to Turners Puddle for the start of the walk and parked the cars in bright sunshine. Most of us turned up with coats or woollies and soon had to discard them. If this was spring weather, roll on the rest of it. Our walk took us along the Jubilee Trail and into Shitterton Village. That’s what the locals call it. Newcomers prefer to call it Sitterton.

After lunch we walked to the side of Bere Regis where Bryan May is planting new trees and, seemingly, building a new road. We then took an upward path that seemed never ending. The route took us through lovely countryside and down through the woodland path we call “Michael’s Walk” ending up at Michael’s memorial plaque. A very enjoyable walk in beautiful weather.
Thanks go to Trudy B for leading the walk, to Jackie for the tea and biscuits, and to both Trudies for the photographs. (Can you spot the alligator Trudy H saw along the way?)

The Pub

The Drax Arms in Bere Regis. The food was a trifle expensive but it was very nicely prepared and there was plenty of it. No pies, but the pie-eater was so well filled he was unable to finish his meal.  We have no objections to paying a bit more for good quality food. Well done the charming young chef.

The Wednesday Walk 30th March 2016

The Plan

A Cranborne walk

Who Turned Up

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

(Joined by Beatrice and Sue for lunch)

The Walk

Our intentions were good, but the ground underfoot was not. We drove to a layby near the Pottery on the B3078, hoping to find a clear path back towards Cranborne village. We were out of luck. We had gone no more than a quarter mile before we came to water covering the entire path, with deep sticky mud underneath. There was no way we could get through. We drove back to Cranborne and had a walk around the village before lunch.

After lunch we drove to Castle Hill Lane on the outskirts of the village. We parked here and followed a path through the woods that took us past the Cranborne Motte and Bailey Castle. We continued onwards until we branched down onto Mill Lane, the path we had hoped to join in the morning. Two things would have helped us now. Firstly, we hoped to have passed the muddy parts of the lane. Secondly, we hoped we would escape the showers forecast by the met office. We were unlucky on both counts. We found the path to be wet, muddy and slippery, and it started raining. And the rain got heavier as we made our way back towards Cranborne. It was good exercise, but a walk we might have enjoyed more in the heat of summer.
Our thanks go to Diane for the photographs. Welcome back from Spain, Diane and Tony.

The Pub

The Sheath of Arrows in Cranborne. They had a senior citizens’ special: a meal and a pot of tea (or cup of coffee) for £6. It was good value and the service was friendly.

Next Week

No planned walk next week.

The Wednesday Walk 23rd March 2016

The Plan

An Arne walk

Who Turned Up

Wendy, Trudy H, Trisha, David

The Walk

The day started bright and calm. The water of Poole Harbour showed hardly a ripple. We parked at the RSPB car park and straight away sussed out the new café on the site of the old toy museum. It looked a suitable option for a light lunch.

Did you know that Arne village was owned by Shaftsbury Abbey until its dissolution in 1539? By 1894 its population was only 123. The school closed in 1922 but you can still see the building – now a private house – as you pass through the village.

Here’s something interesting. Holton Heath, only three miles away from Arne village, was once the site of the Royal Navy Cordite Factory. During WW2, it was an obvious site for German bombing so several decoy sites were set up. At the first sign of approaching bombers, tar barrels and pipes containing kerosene were lit, giving the appearance of a burning factory. On the nights of 3^rd and 4^th June 1942 the decoy was used in anger. Enemy aircraft bombed the open countryside as a consequence. The fire burned for six weeks.

After the war, the village of Arne was largely derelict. In 1966 it came under the jurisdiction of the RSPB.

We took our usual route through the nature reserve and were lucky to catch a deer in the process of feeding.

After lunch we took a shorter route as the morning sunshine had given way to an overcast afternoon.

Thanks to Wendy for much appreciated tea and cakes.

Lunch

We ate at the new RSPB café. It only does snacks and is a bit pricey, but it is clean and pleasant, and it saved us the bother of driving back to Stoborough.

Next Week

A Cranborne walk.

The Wednesday Walk 16th March 2016

The Plan

Whitecliff to Poole

Who Turned Up

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

The Walk

A cool but pleasant day, it started off overcast but quickly brightened up. We met in the car park at Whitecliff and took a gentle stroll along the harbour-side into Poole. We stopped for morning coffee at a quayside café. David and Tony then took a longer walk to the lifting bridge and then up into the town. The ladies followed the more direct route between the shops. From there we went to the pub in Newfoundland Drive.

After lunch we walked on up into the town, through the Dolphin Centre and then down through Poole Park. A very pleasant and easy walk.

The Pub

The Foundry Arms. This was a first tie for all of us in this particular pub. The food was good and the service was friendly. Worth another visit.

Next Week

An Arne walk. Wait for details of where to meet.

The Wednesday Walk 24th February 2016

The Plan

The Boscombe seashore

Who Turned Up

Wendy, Trisha (newly returned from a tour of South America) Sue, Trudy B, David

(Joined by Beatrice and Tony at lunchtime)

The Walk

It was a good day for a walk, dry, sunny and not too warm. We parked at the Southend of Knyveton Road and walked down through Boscombe Gardens to the shore at Boscombe Pier. At one point we stopped to watch a group of white doves in a leafless tree.

The history of Boscombe pier goes back to 1884 when it was proposed as a visitor attraction. In 1888, a contract to build it was priced at £3,813. The approach roads would cost a further £938. The original pier was two hundred yards long and there was a landing stage at which steams could berth. The pier was opened by the Duke of Argyll, probably because the architect was closely connected to the duke’s family. The pier head was not added until 1926. Like most piers, it was partially demolished during the Second World War to prevent enemy invasion. It remained derelict for some years and was not fully restored until 1962. The building at the end of the pier was reopened as the Mermaid Theatre, then a roller skating rink, and then an amusement arcade. It closed in 1989. In 2005, the whole pier was declared unsafe and closed. It reopened again in modified form in 2008. A surf reef was built alongside it, but the less said about that the better.

Today, we noticed that a lot of activity was taking place, not at the pier, but on the beach. There appears to be some great effort being made to replace the old wood in the beach groynes.

After lunch we returned along the cliff-top path. We stopped for a while to watch diggers having fun building sand walls on the shoreline. Great fun, obviously, but what was it for? We couldn’t decide.

Our thanks go to Trudy for the excellent photographs.

The Pub

The Spyglass and Kettle at Southbourne. Most of us opted for the lunch special – two courses for £7.95. It was okay, but nothing special. And the value-for-money didn’t match last weeks’ three courses for £8.50. The waiting time didn’t impress either.

Next Week

A Bere Regis walk. The meeting place and time still to be decided.