Summer Outing to Longdown Activity Farm, Ashurst on 17th June 2025

 

What a fabulous day we had this week on our summer outing. The owners of Longdown Activity Farm in Ashurst, Bryan and Dawn Pass, very kindly invited us to join them on a tour of the farm, meet and feed some animals and even have a tractor ride. It was an offer we couldn’t refuse. We were astounded by their generosity when they said there would be no entrance charge for our group. Bryan and Dawn, thank you both for extending such generosity and Farmer Bryan, we really appreciated your guided tours also. So we all gathered at the car park by 12.15, ready for the day ahead.

 

Our treasurer, Andy Wilson, secured a grant from T.H. Russell Charitable Trust which enabled us to have lunch and a cake break late afternoon and also some essential training for all of our volunteers. The delicious food was provided by The Cottage Loaf, Fordingbridge. Another thank you to Mike Penton for listening to our dietary  requests and ensuring a delicious selection of food was enjoyed by all of us. I will have to add that the drinks we appreciated on such a hot day were also courtesy of Bryan and Dawn. Your hospitality was amazing and greatly appreciated by every one of the thirteen of us. What's more the two members of staff in the tea room, Alice and Steph, really went out of their way to accommodate us in lots of lovely ways. Thank you very much.

               

    We had lunch on our arrival then strolled around the farm meeting guinea pigs, a large tortoise, goats, chickens and then headed for our tractor ride. Steve, our driver, was very skilled and although it was a wee bit bumpy, none of us experienced any travel sickness. Thank you for your assistance in and out of the trailer, Steve, and of course your careful driving....very much appreciated.

       
  

     

  

Afterwards, Bryan took us to the Animal Encounter shed where we were fortunate enough to be able to hold a little chick and later pat a guinea pig, this time only one between two. It was then time to feed the kid goats which was an experience some of us had never had before or if we had, it had been quite a while ago.

Fast approaching 3pm, it was definitely time for tea/coffee/soft drink and a delicious piece of cake to round off a wonderful afternoon.

We cannot thank Bryan and Dawn and T.H.Rusell Charitable trust enough for allowing us to have a splendid summer outing without any cost. We all left knowing how fortunate we are in so many ways being able to enjoy such a wonderful experience courtesy of other people's generosity. THANK YOU.

                         Walking on the Forest on Tuesday 3rd June 2025

When we first met up, the heavens opened so we spent some time browsing in the Hyde garden centre admiring their beautiful displays. Thank you for making us feel so welcome, hopefully some of us will return to make some purchases soon. The rain did stop and we headed off for a gentle walk in some warm sunshine...what a wonderful surprise.

                                           

 

As usual, we shared some funny stories which is always a treat. There weren't many animals on the Forest today, however we did enjoy the company of one who followed us for quite a while.

When we arrived at The Potting Shed we gathered together and enjoyed some delicious cake with our coffee and tea.  Thank you once again to the staff who made every effort to make our visit such a pleasure. Having thought we might get a little bit wet today, going home dry was an absolute delight.

Next time we meet is for our annual summer outing which will be at Longdown Activity Farm in Ashurst on 17th June 2025.....a lovely afternoon ahead.

 

                            Walking at Avon Beach on Tuesday 20^th May 2025

 

We met at the car park at our usual time and then headed off to Mudeford Quay…what a beautiful day for a walk. The views of the Isle of Wight were super as it was such a perfect weather, not too busy either which is always a bonus. 

We arrived at Mudeford Quay having watched lots of activity on the water, where we  had amazing views of Hengistbury Head. Of course , a cuppa and some cake at The Haven House Café was a lovely halftime treat. We sat for a while chatting and sharing stories and complimenting the delicious cakes.

Afterwards, we strolled back to Avon Beach where we chatted about how nice a day we had enjoyed, before we headed home. Next walk is scheduled for Tuesday 3rd June.

 Walking at Hengistbury Head on Tuesday 6th May 2025

What a pleasant surprise to discover it was warmer at the coast than it was back in Fordingbridge....mainly due to the appearance of the sun in the afternoon. The wind had died down also so we had the perfect weather for a gorgeous walk from the car park around the head and then back for coffee/tea and cake at the Hiker Cafe.

We had a new member with us today who fitted in well and is looking forward to joining us in two weeks time. Just goes to show, we really are a friendly bunch. One of our PALS brought with him for the first time his rolator which aided his walking considerably, although the decline on our way back needed some additional manoevering. No hills in Fordingbridge meant this was a new challenge but success was in the making.

As we walked, no land train for us today, we had some beauticful vistas. You can never be disappointed with the views at Hengistbury Head.

At the Hiker Cafe,the majority of us decided sitting outside was the better option so we did. Once again the staff were amazing and after a bit of discussion and delicious selection of cake, we all enjoyed the rest, the tea/coffee and enjoying delicious baking.

 Walking along the Castleman Trailway on Tuesday 29th April 2025

What a wolnderful walk we had today, split into two groups we walked along part of the Castleman Trailway.  One group walked quite a bit further than the other which is ideal. No one is then under any pressure to try to keep up or cut short a walk. 

After a lovely walk on the border of the counties of Hampshire and Dorset we met back at the car park and headed off to The Lantern for delicious coffee/tea and cake. The folk who chose the Dorset Apple Cake landed lucky, it had been freshly made an hour beforehand.

We sat outside in the beautiful sunshine and were waited on hand and foot by a lovely group of staff.