The Wednesday Walk 13th September 2017

The Plan

A walk to Charlton Marshall

Who Turned Up

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

The Walk

It was one of those days that could have been cold and wet, but turned out to be warmer than expected and thankfully drier than it might have been. We parked as usual just beyond the church in Tarrant Keynston. The walk took us past Tarrant Crawford, past the old vineyard, and across the fields to Spetisbury. From there we followed the track of the old S&D Railway to Charlton Marshall.

After lunch we headed back along the same route. We finished up with tea and cakes at Wendy’s. Thank you, Wendy. Thanks to both Trudy's for the photos.

The Pub

The Charlton Inn at Charlton Marshall.  Jackie joined us here for lunch. Good food was enjoyed all round.

The Wednesday Walk 6th September 2017

The Plan

Ringstead Bay to Osmington Mills

Who Turned Up

Ros, Wendy, Sue, Trisha, Diane and Tony, David

The Walk

Today we saw a driverless car in action. No kidding. It was parked in a car park at Ringstead, between two other cars. We saw it edge backwards and then stop, unaware that this was a car with a mind of its own. Then it backed out completely and we watched it in amazement because we could now see that there was no one on board. No driver, no passengers, no one. It was reversing back towards other parked cars and would have showed them what for if it hadn’t run into a water-filled ditch. That stopped it in its tracks. And still there was no sign of a driver, passengers or any human with some sort of control over the car.  It had acted purely under its own willpower. Amazing. But, what about the walk, you ask. Ah yes, the walk. We drove to the viewpoint overlooking Ringstead Bay, left our cars there and walked down the lane to the wooden church. A younger, fitter-looking bunch of walkers had got there ahead of us and were busily enjoying their packed lunches while admiring the view over the bay. Undaunted, we trudged on to Osmington Mills where we had our own lunch.

Afterwards, the entire group walked back to the snack shop at the bottom of the hill back up to the viewpoint. Four hardy walkers elected to stay here while three others tackled the hill. Brave souls. That was when we saw the self-drive, unmanned car in action. Eventually, we were collected by Ros and driven back up the hill. We were all glad of a cup of tea, for which thanks go to Wendy. Thanks also to Diane for the photos.

The Pub

The Smugglers at Osmington Mills. We’ve eaten here before and always enjoyed a good meal. The only criticism was a surfeit of leaves on one walker’s plate.

Next Week

Meet in Wimborne at 1030            

The Wednesday Walk 23rd August 2017

The Plan

Lytchett Minster to Lytchett Matravers

Who Turned Up

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

The Walk

Another Wednesday which wasn’t washed out. Hallelujah! We haven’t had too many of them lately. We parked the cars in Post Green Road, not far from St Peter’s Finger at Lytchett Minster. Then we walked north. After Post Green Farm, we turned onto the country path through Hill Wood. One field held what we thought to be a herd of cows. We were half way across it when we spotted that one cow was a rather large bull. There is a difference, you know! While Tony R distracted him - face to face - the rest of us bravely strode on across the field. Well done, Tony. The trail then took us onto Foxhills Lane which seemed to climb forever. Eventually we came to the edge of Lytchett Matravers.

After lunch we took the lane that branched off from the top end of Foxhills Lane, rambled across country and back out onto Post Green Road. It was a pleasant day out, warm but without too much sun.

We finished off with tea and apple cake at Wendy’s. Thank you, Wendy. Thanks also to Trudy and Diane for the pictures.

The Pub

The Rose and Crown in Lytchett Matravers. A rather noisy place, but nine of the ten walkers were happy with their food. The tenth – there’s always one – was not happy at paying £11.45 for a small pie with chips.

Next Week

Meet at Diane and Tony’s at 1015

The Wednesday Walk 12th July 2017

The Plan

A breakfast walk

Who Turned Up

Wendy and Elisa (welcome to the walking group, Elisa) Beatrice and Tony H, Diane and Tony R, Trudy B, David

The Walk

We decided to meet at 0930 at Pamphill and head into Wimborne for breakfast. The day started dull and overcast with a bit of a chilly breeze, but we rapidly warmed up once we got going. We started at the Pamphill car park nearest the church and headed down All Fools Lane. A walk beside the River Stour took us into Wimborne. After lunch we came back past the Queen Elizabeth School and Pamphill School. In other words, it was the usual route.

The Pub

The Man In The Wall, Wimborne. The food here is good and it’s not at all expensive. A large breakfast (as big as you will ever get or manage to eat) comes out at £4.99. A pint of beer is £1.99. You can’t beat that.

Next Week

A Ringstead Bay walk.

The Wednesday Walk 5th July 2017

The Plan

A Studland Heath walk

Who Turned Up

Trudy B, Sue, Beatrice and Tony H, David

The Walk

The weather forecast promised us clear blue skies and temperatures around 28 degrees. Maybe that was why the bus from Canford Village was full with (sardine-type) standing room only. All heading for Studland beach? Probably. It stayed jam-packed like that until we got off the bus near the Shell Bay sailing centre. From there we walked down beside Bramble Bush Bay and across Studland Heath. We passed around the hill with the Agglestone, past Black Down and wandered on to the Isle of Purbeck Golf Club. By then we were glad to sit down and enjoy a cold drink.

After lunch we walked back to Ulwell where we all had an ice cream to cool us down. Then we caught a bus home. It was still well-patronised.
Our thnks, as always, to Trudy for the photographs.

The Lunch Stop

The bar in the Isle of Purbeck Golf Club. Because of the heat, we all had a cold drink and a sandwich, with a selection of crisps and chips. It was enough. The view back towards Poole Harbour was impressive.

Next Week

If the weather is hot we will have a breakfast walk, meeting at Pamphill at 8am

If it is cool, we will have a Tincleton walk, meeting at Sue’s at 10am.

The decision on whether it is hot or cool will… um, er… be made nearer the time.

The Wednesday Walk 14th June 2017

The Plan

A Salisbury walk

Who Turned Up

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

The Walk

As always on this walk, we met in Wimborne, drove to the Britford Park and Ride and used our bus passes to get into town. The weather was hot, well up into the twenties. By the time we got to the pub we were glad of a cold drink.

Now for today’s lesson. What is a fosse? We came across the word in a house name on the walk back from Old Sarum. None of us knew the answer. Shortly after, we met a couple of strangers who did know. A fosse is an old English word meaning a long, narrow trench or excavation, often used in a fortification. In the time of Roman occupation, a defence would consist of a mound with a fence on top and a fosse at the base of the mound. The word comes via Old French from the Latin fossa. Please remember that as you will be tested on it later.
Thanks go to Trudy for the pictures and to Beatrice and Tony for the tea and cake.

The Pub

Ray and Olga joined us for lunch at the Harvester at Old Sarum many times. We have eaten there many times before and have always come away satisfied. This time most walkers opted for a small lunch. The two who ordered full main courses couldn’t finish them. It was too darned hot.

Next Week

Meet at Pallinton Lakes at Tincleton at 10am (but it might be wise to check before you set out.).

The Wednesday Walk 7th June 2017

  

The Plan

An Arne walk

Who Turned Up

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

The Walk

The forecasters promised us blue skies today, but they were only half right. We had blue skies overlaid with dark clouds. And it was windy, but at least it didn’t rain. Oddly, the RSPB car park was full and Jackie had to manoeuvre her car into a questionable parking space, but at least her ploy worked. In the morning, we took a walk down through the village (where the church of St Nicholas dates from 1200) to the shore. Arne village was owned by Shaftsbury Abbey until 1539 when the abbey was dissolved.  By 1894 it had a population of only 123 people. There was a school here, built in 1832, but it had to close in 1922 because of lack of pupils.

After lunch we walked in the opposite direction. The cloud cover was increasing by now and the wind increasing.

Thanks go to Trudy and Diane for the photographs. Thanks also to Jackie for tea and cakes.

Next Week

Meet in Wimborne at 0930 and bring your bus pass.