Mud, Mud, Glorious Mud! - Mileaters walk 22nd January 2025.
Mud, mud, glorious mud turned out to be the theme of the second walk of the year. With the best will in the world, it was always going to be a muddy walk following the rain of recent days. Undaunted by these walking conditions an enthusiastic band of 20 Mileaters plus four dogs set off from Upwey; apparently on a new route that Mileaters had not taken before.
We started from the Royal Standard pub and went east down a narrow footpath into Upwey then headed on from Westbrook towards Hewish Hill. Much of this part of the route was seriously low lying and muddy with the added problem of at least ten stiles. Maybe this was the reason the route had not been walked before!
Once the mud and heavy going was passed, we joined firm tracks, stamping as we went trying to get rid of some of the mud on our boots and making our way to the top of Waddon Hill at Friar Waddon. The return route took us along a pleasant downland ridge, with views out over Weymouth Bay (though rather foggy on the day walked) to the cross dyke at Windsbatch. Then we negotiated a tortuous wet and muddy slope down to the Wishing Well in Upwey, walking poles definitely needed on this descent. It had been intended to take the footpath behind the houses on the north side of the road but with another six stiles to navigate, it was sensibly decided to take the pavement instead and most importantly, to ensure we would reach the pub in time for lunch. The Royal Standard provided us with excellent food and refreshment. In all, a walk of just over five miles.
A good walk with some challenging conditions and some Mileaters a few days later reported that knees and/or hips were still aching from climbing over all those stiles!
Gerald & Rosie Duke
Mileaters Muddy Walk
Mileaters January Milton Abbas Walk
The first day back at work after the Christmas excesses is always hard going. It is the same for the first walk in January. First you have to find a pub which is open mid-week and then plan a route which has not been seasonally affected. Our pub was the Royal Oak in Milborne St Andrew and our route was 90% mud free despite the previous two days rain.
You know its not your day when, before leaving the Village Green, a car runs over your foot. Shortly afterwards you are told your meal has not been ordered at the pub but not to worry. Maybe this was the reason why you would then decide to throw yourself into one of the only mud puddles on route!
In their haste to aid a fallen colleague (leave no-one behind) a second walker also bit the dust (mud).
The walk through the woods near Milton Abbas saw the Ancient Beech tree plantation. I am reliably informed that they are self-pruning! Who knew? In these trees It was a bit a bit chilly with temperatures down to +1oC with up to minus 15o windchill, so best keep moving. We stopped for coffee a little further on, in a sheltered spot, overlooking Winterborne Houghton. Afterwards, descending into the village, we came across an odd site, a phone box which had not been converted into a library or a defibrillator station.
The sun, now shining continued to shine for the rest of the route but the mood changed. Newton’s theory in reverse ‘What goes down has to come up again!’ The gentle descent to Houghton was eclipsed by a short up hill bit. You know this because the banter, laughing and chatter stops, the heavy breathing takes over and the line strings out to twice the length. At the top, the mood changes back again, due to the picturesque views but more probably due to the knowledge that we were on the homeward leg. One last surprise was that a lake had appeared across the footpath overnight.
I say one last surprise but, as we raced for the pub and lunch, our way was blocked by a recently erected ‘Road Closed’ sign. We managed to find a way around the closure only to see a sign at the far end which said ‘Road Closed. Find your own route’. Thank you Open Reach for being so helpful, 6 vans not a single workman in sight’. A challenging walk, completed by 17 intrepid walkers, who after a good lunch, fully deserved an afternoon nap.
Martin and Lesley
Maiden Castle 19th December 2024
‘Twas the week before Christmas and all of the walkers
In the Mileaters group – which includes all the talkers –
Set off from the valley in sunshine so bright
But clouds came so fast that it could have been night.
In the next hour or so the weather was freezing,
Then rainy, then windy, then sunny and pleasing.
At the old Roman Temple our coffee was warm
Which revived all the walkers right after the storm
There were twenty of us on this pre-Christmas walk
And most shared a lunch at the Brewers to talk
And agreed Christmas exercise was just what we needed
With advice against laziness once again heeded,
So after our lunch and our glasses of beer
We could toast “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year”.
Farewell to Bert 25th November 2024
What a difference a day makes. The weekend's Storm Bert had moved off east, giving way to a sunny and breezy day as 15 Mileaters and 2 spaniels gathered in the car park of the now closed "Elm Tree" in Langton Herring (with permission, of course).
Our route took us past Higher Farm, stopping for a short examination of an interesting (?) example of Forest Green Marble (from Nailsworth perhaps ?), through Ten Acre Plantation and passing Bagwell Farm Caravan Park. Did our worthy leader then take the wrong lane? Impossible !. "Just testing you" was the muttered response as we then headed, back on course, down to Moonfleet Manor and a muddy stretch of the Coast Path.
As we followed the Coast Path alongside The Fleet, good birding opportunities arrived for those of that inclination (various Gulls, Mute Swans, Brent Geese, Little Egrets and Redshank were spotted, amongst others), before a final ascent past the former Coastguard Cottages returned us to our cars.
A most enjoyable lunch ensued at "The Turks Head" in Chickerell, but a shame that "The Elm Tree" is no longer open for business. Hopefully the community initiatives to purchase the pub will bear fruit.
Nick Priddle.
