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. 

                                      Walking at Christchurch Riverside Park

                                                 on Tuesday 15th April 2025

Today eleven of us met at the car park and then headed off towards Hengistbury Head Nature Reserve. We were fortunate with the dry weather which allowed some of us to walk a bit further whilst a smaller group headed back to Tuckton Tea Rooms for our usual coffee/tea and cake.

As usual, there was plenty of chatting and bird spotting as we walked alongside the busy River Stour. There were some kites which fooled us into thinking they were birds also. Lots of activity on the river kept us entertained. even if we were at times just admiring the beautiful boats either moored or sailing.

Walking at Abbotswell on 18th March 2025

Although I wasn't walking with the group today, a lovely walk was had by all with some photos below as evidence. The blue sky is amazing and dry underfoot made the walk most enjoyable.

From all accounts, the sun shone, the rain never appeared and the walk was rounded off at one of our favourite spots, The Potting Shed in Hyde.

Walking at Hengistbury Head on Tuesday 4th February 2025

Our group certainly braved the elements on this walk, as the photos show, another walk I missed. However, is there really anything to beat a coastal walk to blow off the cobwebs. Despite the weather, everyone participated, enjoyed the stroll and of course our refreshments at the Hiker Cafe.

Today there were lots of people who stayed at home which made this beautiful walk less busy....every cloud.

 Walking at Drove End Woods, Ringwood Forest 

on Tuesday 7th January 2025

Happy New Year to everyone, hope 2025 is a healthy one for all of us.

After a few weeks break over the Christmas season, eleven of us met up at Drove End Woods, Ringwood Forest car park for a very gentle but somewhat muddy walk. We welcomed a new volunteer today and hopefully after a few hours in our company, he'll be keen to join us in the future.

Apologies from me, I have let the side down and have forgotten to take photos of our walk or catch up later. Definitely still in the holiday mode. Have included some evidence of where we walked. On Tuesday it wasn't quite so dry or sunny but we had plenty of opportunity to catch up with each other and some of us learned so much about bats!

After our walk we headed to Wolvercroft Garden Centre where we enjoyed our usual coffee/tea and cake in Sticky Bun tea room.....we were not disappointed. Again, not quite as sunny in January.

Sadly today we said farewell to a long standing volunteer who has acted as our treasurer over recent years, who joined us for refreshments. Thank you John for all the work you have done to support our small walking group, you will definitely be missed. We are all wishing you and your family all the very best for the future.

 Tuesday 3rd December 2024 

Our final walk of the year was on the Forest and then back to The Potting Shed for a Christmas themed lunch of delicious sandwiches, sausage rolls and mince pies, with our usual coffee and tea.

We also took this opportunity to invite Graham and Val along to say farewell to Graham who has walked with us for many years and has decided to hang up his boots for now. Graham entertained us with one of his funny stories and as ever, we appreciated the visual aids he brought with him.

Whatever plans Graham is making for the future, we wish him and Val all the very best and thank him for all the support he has shown us over the years. Thanks also to Val who has assisted us when we were short of drivers and her input prevented a cancellation of a walk. 

We chatted and took part in a couple of quizzes...again with a Christmas theme of chocolate and carols.

The delicious chocolates given to us were shared and enjoyed by all of us....thank you to our chocolate donors.

We have had another fabulous year and we are already looking forward to our first walk in 2025 on Tuesday 7th January.

Have a wonderful Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year.