Wednesday, June 20, 2007
The Lugger Inn at Chickerell
I have been chastised for the inactivity of recent weeks! Ian Robb and his wife June who live in N.Carolina tell me that they require regular news on local hostelries so that they are not at a loss for a decent drink when returning to these parts! This rebuke was administered last weekend and I hasten to get things moving again! Apologies.We lunched with other members of the Robb family (see cousins Alan and Ian in my blogpost 'The Cross Keys Locals' of Nov. 1 2006) at the Lugger Inn which is on the outskirts of Weymouth. Here you can taste an excellent pint of Palmers of Bridport, a brew of high quality which seems to be difficult to find anywhere East of Dorchester! This is a pity because Palmers is a true Dorset ale and ought to be more easily available. So take a trip one Sunday to the Lugger and try an excellent roast beef lunch. We thought the beef was first class, cooked to perfection, with second helpings encouraged. Ian and June actually tried the mackerel, fresh from the sea.................a reminder from June's yachting days of yesteryear. A couple of photos herewith for my friends from Carolina. I promise to try to keep this log updated!
Friday, February 02, 2007
Pentridge and Martin Down
The hamlet of Pentridge is just off the Blandford/Salisbury road and an easy half hour drive north from Wimborne. It lies at the foot of Pentridge Hill with Penbury Knoll (606 feet) at its highest part. This is wonderful rolling downland country and you can walk via numerous paths up to the Knoll and on to Martin Down which is managed by English Nature. In the Spring this is a mass of wild flowers but it is great walking country in any season, and the birdwatcher should always have binoculars at the ready. Yesterday was a grey day so I foolishly left the binocs at home, a decision very soon regretted as there were hares to be seen frequently and one of my fellow walkers insisted he has seen them performing the Mad March Hare routine. On February 1st?? It's been a strange old Winter!
This is also a very historic area. You can include in your walk a stretch of Ackling Dyke, the Roman Road from Badbury Rings to Old Sarum, or take in a length of Bokerley Dyke built to repel the Saxon invaders! The Knoll at Penbury was fortified thousands of years ago, and if you look closely at the photo of us lunching, you can just see the lines of the ramparts (R. of centre of the picture). Park by the Church in Pentridge and soak in the atmosphere of times long past. This is a beautiful place to which one can return constantly. Take a picnic; there is neither shop nor pub!
This is also a very historic area. You can include in your walk a stretch of Ackling Dyke, the Roman Road from Badbury Rings to Old Sarum, or take in a length of Bokerley Dyke built to repel the Saxon invaders! The Knoll at Penbury was fortified thousands of years ago, and if you look closely at the photo of us lunching, you can just see the lines of the ramparts (R. of centre of the picture). Park by the Church in Pentridge and soak in the atmosphere of times long past. This is a beautiful place to which one can return constantly. Take a picnic; there is neither shop nor pub!
The Stour Valley Way. Stage 3
Spetisbury to Durweston.
Dave and I have had our critics for attempting this river walk in the Winter but nothing daunted we picked up our track at Crawford Bridge on a beautiful January morning (see photo) and headed up to Spetisbury Rings, one of the many such ancient hill forts in Dorset, the most celebrated being Maiden Castle in Dorchester. Spetisbury is not on the same scale but it is little visited and there are great views in every direction from the trig point at the summit. The Stour wends its way peacefully onwards far below, and it is a while before we meet it again. The route takes us into Blandford St. Mary passing the heartening sight of the Hall and Woodhouse Brewery 'est. 1778 Badger Beers' on the right! An opportunity for a tasting appears a few yards later and we enjoyed our first visit to the Stour Inn, an unassuming and little changed Dorset pub which, we were pleased to see, was frequented by the besuited executives from the brewery just yards away! A recommendation indeed! So reinvigorated by the pint of Badger best and the most glorious January weather, we walked the perimeter wall of the Bryanston Estate, through the original Bryanston village and down through 'The Hanging'.................which we learn is the common name for a beech wood on the edge of a scarp! The things we learn when walking! A word of praise here for the publication 'The Original Stour Valley Path' by Edward Griffiths which guides us on our way. It is full of information, interest and conspicuous affection for its subject. Buy it and enjoy the Stour Valley!
Dave and I have had our critics for attempting this river walk in the Winter but nothing daunted we picked up our track at Crawford Bridge on a beautiful January morning (see photo) and headed up to Spetisbury Rings, one of the many such ancient hill forts in Dorset, the most celebrated being Maiden Castle in Dorchester. Spetisbury is not on the same scale but it is little visited and there are great views in every direction from the trig point at the summit. The Stour wends its way peacefully onwards far below, and it is a while before we meet it again. The route takes us into Blandford St. Mary passing the heartening sight of the Hall and Woodhouse Brewery 'est. 1778 Badger Beers' on the right! An opportunity for a tasting appears a few yards later and we enjoyed our first visit to the Stour Inn, an unassuming and little changed Dorset pub which, we were pleased to see, was frequented by the besuited executives from the brewery just yards away! A recommendation indeed! So reinvigorated by the pint of Badger best and the most glorious January weather, we walked the perimeter wall of the Bryanston Estate, through the original Bryanston village and down through 'The Hanging'.................which we learn is the common name for a beech wood on the edge of a scarp! The things we learn when walking! A word of praise here for the publication 'The Original Stour Valley Path' by Edward Griffiths which guides us on our way. It is full of information, interest and conspicuous affection for its subject. Buy it and enjoy the Stour Valley!
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Studland Beach
Jan.23rd 07This is a great walk! Leave your car at the chain ferry (on the Sandbanks side if you can find a free space) or if not, come over on the ferry ........£2.80 return last week.......and park in the ferry car park. Then take to the beach; if you stride out, you will make it to the National Trust shop in just under an hour. In January you will have the world to yourself but you may see some exciting birds; the wind will whet your appetite and the views are ever changing. In Summer you will not be alone, but Studland Beach is never crowded and in the area reserved for naturists, you may see sights which will amuse the children! The National Trust shop/cafe is open throughout the year and the rustic fare on offer is just the ticket after your bracing walk. If you want to walk on to the headland and Old Harry Rocks, you are bound to pass the Banks Armes with its own microbrewery, and I recommend you try a pint of Fossil Fuel, or IPA which in this establishment is 'Isle of Purbeck' ale. It's another hour's walk to Old Harry and its majestic cliffs and a chance to see the Barfleur as it plies its daily voyage from Poole to Cherbourg 60 odd miles away. You might also see a peregrine but I've never been lucky. This is a wonderful walk in any weather. A word of caution; the ferry is busy in the Summer, and I suspect that the Banks Arms sells quite a few barrels!
Thursday, January 04, 2007
The Purbeck Way
For those of you not fortunate enough to live in Dorset, you may not know about the Isle of Purbeck: not an island but a remote corner west of Poole Harbour, where the South West Coastal Path begins its 570 mile journey around Lands End to Minehead, and where you can walk all day with the sea at your side, and visit picture card places like Corfe Castle, and even on a Summer's day feel as though you have the world to yourself. We walked a section of the Purbeck Way today; we had a short stay in 'the Cathedral of the Purbecks', the lovely Church of St.James built in the XIXth century for the village of Kingston Matravers by a generous member of the Scott family (and friend of George IIIrd!), then walked the cliff tops, sat in the Winter sunshine for a sandwich, and returned over the muddy fields with new born lambs for company, and with glorious views of Corfe Castle at every stride. If you have time for a short diversion you must visit the 'Square and Compass'. One of the great pubs of England, totally unadorned since it satisfied the thirst of the quarrymen 150 years ago, and the only pub in England to have figured in the top ten in England every year since 'The Real Ale Guide' was published how many years ago! A gem not to be missed.........nor is a day in the Purbecks.Stour Valley Path. Stage 2
The second leg of my journey with David first takes the walker by the man made reservoirs at Longham; these are surprisingly large yet I imagine that most of my local friends are unaware of their existence! The Bournemouth Water Authority allows access and for the bird watcher there could be a lot to see so I shall return! Park in Hampreston village, have a look in the village church, spot a rare bird and then retire to the Fox and Hounds which is a mere mile away. What a way to spend a half day! The path then meanders along the banks of the Stour. WARNING..........it can be waterlogged in Winter. We have since been advised by kind friends that we are mad to do this river walk in the Winter months; they are correct but we are now on the way and will not be deterred despite having to walk short flooded stretches with the water level above our boots! A stroll through the centre of Wimborne brings us close to the Vine which I mentioned previously. We called in and saw Linda, confessed to her that she now appears in my Blog (I think she was impressed?) and strode on with soggy socks to Spetisbury. A cloudy day and not ideal for photography but a glimpse of the swollen Stour herewith.Labels: Part 1
Stour Valley Path. Stage 2
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
The Stour Valley Path
The Path starts at Hengistbury Head where the Stour flows into Christchurch Harbour. It flows 60 miles northwards through the Dorset and Wilts. countryside to Stourhead where, we were told today, it has its origins as an overflow from one of the lakes at Stourhead.
Dave Downing and I started the 60 miles today with a 12/13 miler..............a little Winter project for the two retired gents. We shall tackle the rest on odd days over the next few weeks. A couple of photos herewith; early morning sunshine in Christchurch Harbour and Dave looking contemplative near the end of today's stroll! More on the Stour Valley Path to come. Keep blogging!
The Vine at Pamphill
A visitor to Wimborne who likes unspoilt local pubs ought not to miss The Vine! This is a tiny country pub run by Linda. She serves London Pride and usually a guest ale, and her bar snack menu goes no further than sandwiches or an authentic ploughman's...... i.e a man sized piece of cheddar, a matching slab of bread and a couple of pickled onions! The bar is crowded if eight drinkers decide to call on Linda but there is a charming little lounge with a log fire. It will seat a dozen people snugly! In the Summer, the Vine attracts the cricketers from nearby and if you are in the vicinity you should look out for the thatched cricket pavilion. How many of these are there in England? It also attracts people like me who have walked along the river bank for a quiet pint.
The Vine is a classic local; the sort that are hard to find; I hope it never changes.
I took this photo of the River Stour a couple of days ago after enjoying a glasss of London Pride. Another glorious late Autumn day; what a great life!
Ashmore, the highest village in Dorset
Just in case you think that I do nothing except visit local hostelries, a few words about the Dorset walks arranged by the redoubtable Ms.Liz Thornthwaite for the East Dorset Heritage Trust. These take place every month, they are of a minimum 8 miles and Liz has never repeated a walk in 16 years! What a lady! The November walk wandered through lanes and villages South of Ashmore on a most beautiful late Autumn day. Liz always has a feast of information for us on the history of the area. Here she is addressing her admirers after a leisurely lunch under a shady oak. A great day which included a peep across the fields at Madonna's local pad!
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Ringwood Parish Church
and here's a picture of the lovely church on a cloudless day.
The White Hart at Ringwood
Having failed yesterday to include a pub photo, I'm trying again (having reduced the pixel size.........technical stuff!). Here goes.
Saturday, November 04, 2006
The White Hart at Ringwood
The weather is just beautiful! Blue, blue skies and frosty nights.
I 've been told that the best pint of Ringwood bitter in these parts is to be found at a place called The Star in Ringwood itself. So as a little diversion from Waitrose, I found the Star at lunchtime today. Would you believe it, the couple who run it were getting married today! Pub closed! So, not to be thwarted, I explored the High St. and ended up in the White Hart. Maybe not a classic, but a friendly local (and friendly locals), Ringwood available and a log fire to boot. So head for the lovely Church and you will walk right by it. Photos to prove what a glorious day it has been. Will try again at the Star and report!
I 've been told that the best pint of Ringwood bitter in these parts is to be found at a place called The Star in Ringwood itself. So as a little diversion from Waitrose, I found the Star at lunchtime today. Would you believe it, the couple who run it were getting married today! Pub closed! So, not to be thwarted, I explored the High St. and ended up in the White Hart. Maybe not a classic, but a friendly local (and friendly locals), Ringwood available and a log fire to boot. So head for the lovely Church and you will walk right by it. Photos to prove what a glorious day it has been. Will try again at the Star and report!
