Walking Holiday

Thoughts from Dunster

David had worked so hard preparing our walks but at the last minute was struck down by flu’ so was unable to reap the rewards on the 2016 U3A walking holiday to Dunster in Somerset.

Mike and Jim became our modern day St. George’s saving the day by taking over and sharing the leading of the walks.

John had found a wonderful hotel again this year, the ‘Yarn Market Hotel’ right in the centre of Dunster which over looked the old yarn market. Dunster is a very pretty village with Dunster Castle at one end and a Folly at the other. There were also unique shops selling local jewellery and Whortleberry! Jam.

St Georges church was lovely inside and had a colourful history, I wasn’t so sure though when at five A.M. I was woken by the church clock striking five… Which was then followed by automated bells playing “there is no place like home! [Were the locals trying to tell me something?]. Judging by the size of the dovecote I do not think the Brothers ever went hungry.

The stone ‘Gallox Bridge’ over the river Avill where the pack animals used to cross, how Mike wishes he had a dog to herd his unruly ‘sheep’ over.

Jim’s challenge for this year was the ‘Coastal path walk’ from Minehead to the Blue Anchor railway station. Firstly trying to walk one step forward and two steps back on soft shifting sand, then onto rocks and pebbles. If you needed stones for your rockery this was the place to come. We were told that it was two miles but as we were constantly watching where we put our feet it seemed much further. Part of the walk was adjoining a golf course, so not only were we watching our feet, we were keeping an eye out for flying golf balls.

Blue Anchor station was like a step back in time with a signal man in his signal box and as the gates closed a local character, a lady on a mobility scooter, blew a bugle and announced that the train was coming. We were so pleased to be able to sit down and enjoy the ride back to Minehead on this restored steam train.

On the afternoon walk, which was over heathland to” Bossington Hill” we saw Exmoor ponies and had great views of the Bristol Channel to Wales. We also had an unexpected surprise meeting up with Tom and Jean. It was lovely to see them and have them share the walks and dinner with us at the Hotel.

There were some very narrow roads that twisted and turned going toward Porlock. From Porlock we walked across marshes and saw a Heron and her chick. Some locals told us where to find a memorial which gave details of a plane and crew which had crashed nearby in 1942.

On our monthly walks in the New Forest we do not have any steep gradients, it is usually tree roots that we have to watch for. So our ‘gentle climb’ to “Dunkery Beacon” [the highest point on Dartmoor] was challenging but well worth the climb as the views from the top were breath taking, you could see for miles in all directions.

In the evening Jean took over the role of Quiz Master, or should that be Mistress? For our after dinner quizzes

I would like to say a very big Thank You to David for planning the walks, to John, for finding us such a good hotel and to Jim & Mike for taking over and leading the walks, also to Jean who’s quiz answers were final ‘and’ a thank you to everyone else for being such good company.

Pam.            

Pictures from Barbara





Pictures from Sandra Monday afternoon






Minehead to Blue Anchor , Tues a.m.





Porlock Marches , Wed. a.m.

I hope Brian Cox didn't mind

Greencombe Gardens, Porlock

I was fortunate enough to be able to visit these enchanting gardens while on the U3A walking holiday.  I had seen an article in a gardening magazine and phoned to ask if they were open one morning.  The owner said that, no, they only open from 2.00 to 6.00 pm.  After pleading my case, he relented and two friends and I enjoyed a delightful couple of hours exploring this magical garden overlooking Porlock Bay and the coast of Wales.

The three-and-a-half acre site is long and narrow, following the contour lines below a high ridge, faces north, and is therefore ideal as a woodland garden.  We followed mossy paths with rhododendrons, azaleas, magnolias, Spring bulbs and of course the National collections of Polystichum ferns and Erythroniums (small mountain lilies),  As April is the time the latter flower, we were treated to a wonderful display of these delicate flowers, in shades ranging from white through to deep pink via creams and yellows.  As I had never even heard of these delightful bulbs before, it was a real treat to be able to chat to the owner about them and how the collection has grown from very small beginnings when his Aunt, Joan Loraine, took over the garden in 1966.

Sadly Joan died in February, but her garden lives on as a legacy to her dedication and pure enjoyment of this truly enchanting place.

Sue Hucker

March walk

16 walkers arrived to start the walk in chilly conditions but enjoyed the glorious sunshine, when on odd occasions was quite warm in sheltered spots! 

To avoid the mud and puddles still present everywhere the walk was 100% on firm dry gravel tracks, which no doubt contributed, along with the chill, to the sprightly pace of completing some 3 miles in 1hr 40m !

Spring was evident in seeing the very first yellow blooms on the some gorse bushes and, of course, the birds singing in the sunshine.

This was a very enjoyable walk because of the weather, yet finishing in sunshine, just 10 minutes after arriving back at the car park, the sky suddenly became grey with a heavy rain and hail storm!

Dave B

February Walk cancelled due to extreme wet conditions

February's Walk

   TOTTON U3A WALKING GROUP
A WALK IN THE NEW FOREST ON WEDNESDAY 3rd FEBRUARY AT 10 AM, MEET IN BUSKETTS LAWN CAR PARK. DIRECTIONS: GO TO ASHURST ON THE A35. AT THE FAR END OF ASHURST, JUST AS YOU GO OVER THE RAILWAY BRIDGE (AFTER PASSING THE HAPPY CHEESE PUB ON THE LEFT) TURN RIGHT (SIGNPOSTED WOODLANDS). STAY ON THIS ROAD FOR ABOUT A MILE, TURN LEFT AT THE T JUNCTION. ABOUT 0.25 MILE ON, AS THE ROAD SWINGS SHARPLY RIGHT, TURN LEFT UP THE GRAVEL TRACK ON THE BEND OF THE ROAD. THE CAR PARK IS ABOUT 2OO YARDS ON. IN MIXED WOODLAND, 95% ON GRAVEL TRACK (SORRY BUT IT'S FEBRUARY!), BUT A BIT MUDDY IN ONE OR TWO PLACES ON THE 5%AFTER RAIN. LENGTH OF THE WALK: ABOUT 3 MILES, TIME ABOUT 2hrs 15mins. MEMBERS ARE RESPECTFULLY REMINDED THAT THE WALKS REQUIRE A DEGREE OF FITNESS RELATIVE TO THE TERRAIN AND DISTANCE. IF YOU HAVE ANY DIFFICULTY FINDING THE CAR PARK PLEASE RING ME ON 07756901450 DAVE.  

New Year's Day Walk

Only 14 members arrived to start, many regulars were away with families and friends and perhaps hangovers, late nights, overcast skies or lie-ins may may have contributed! The weather was ideal for walking, no wind, not too hot or cold, and dry throughout. Although finishing at 12.05pm it poured with rain at 1pm. For about an early quarter of a mile underfoot conditions were very muddy and squelchy indeed which added a bit of interest,but the rest on firm, level gravel tracks and paths. The oak tree with ferns growing on its branches at high level was an unusual sight. In Clayhill were went through the coppicing areas, complete with a huge portable charcoal burner which is in active use by volunteers involved in clearing areas for the coming spring's bluebell growth by allowing sunlight onto the forest floor. I was surprised by the quality of remnants of charcoal left in the burner, jet black, compact and good enough quality to use for charcoal stick drawing. Achieved by preventing the flames actually coming into contact with the wood, but by scorching it for some 4-5 hours. All this information kindly supplied by our Jack R, who has volunteered in Dave Dibden's team. Another surprise was the high number of families we passed, in parts of the forest which are usually deserted, in fact on return there were some 30 cars in the car park.
Pics from Dave and Sandra

January 2016

December walk

Just 19 members braved the the overcast conditions that threatened rain at any moment, but remarkably apart from a few drops of drizzle lasting 3 minutes, it stayed dry throughout and at times actually brightened a little.

However, a relative level stroll on firm grassy paths (with two or three squelchy muddy patches in a very wet New Forest), gravel tracks and well sheltered from the winds in the woods all the time. Shame to see that the trees have lost their autumn colours already.

We welcomed new members Linda and Martin on their first walk with the group, not at all discouraged by the weather, I hope!

Dave W climbed a tree to take another aerial shot of the group!

Dave B

Pleasant walk today, no Sun but very little rain. It did have a half hearted go for a minute or two but gave up when it realised it was the u3a it was raining on. Found it was ignored and left! If you wish to know how many walked you will have to count 'em. The going was firm if a tadge muddy in places.

Dave W

December walk

November Walk

This walk was cancelled due to the rain and the mud.