June walk

May walk Busketts Lawn

Just over 30 of us on this beautiful, blue skies, sunny day. Perfect for walking and the right time of the year. The ground was not too soft only the odd muddy patch.

 

Photos from the Weymouth holiday from Sandra

  TOTTON    U3A   WALKING    HOLIDAY

              WEYMOUTH  AND  PORTLAND

                   FRIDAY  TO  MONDAY ,   19th -  22nd  APRIL 2013.

Once again its three cheers to John and Sheila for researching and booking a really good holiday hotel.

The Crown Hotel, Weymouth was ideally situated near the Town Quays, and the perfect launchpad for our daily convoys into the local pastures.

The earlier months of cold, wet weather had conditioned us to wearing warm woolies, but this weekend was warm and dry, allowing us to stride-out in light fatigues.

This army of 32 enthusiastic foot-soldiers was ready to equal any Olympic walking record in Weymouth's town and country footpaths.

          On Friday afternoon we tested our driving skills, and everyone was sighing with relief when the last of our 9 cars was safely shoe-horned into the hotel garage.

As if acting on instructions, the Town Bridge obliged us with a demonstration of its road-lfting system. Very impressive organisation and traffic control.

This first afternoon walk was to take our Group members through parts of Weymouth's Old Town Quays, once famous as smugglers dens and haunts.

Sneaking along Trinity Terrace and into Hope Square, we passed many late Georgian houses and neat little cottages built mainly from Portland stone.

   We were impressed with Brewer's Quay, formally known as Devenish Brewery, and the modern apartments which are now integrating into this historical landmark site.

Our walking tour then opened out along the Jubillee  promenade and through Nothe Gardens.

What wonderful views of Weymouth harbour from the commanding hilltop that supports Nothe Fort.

   This Friday evening we were entertained by no less than two quiz-masters, Christine Farleigh and Elaine Harrod, who brilliantly stunned our group into near silence.

The Crown Hotel provided a comfortable, private lounge in which to relax after a lovely evening meal.

             Saturday morning greeted us with glorious sunshine through the windows of the Hotel breakfast room.

We quietly learned the rules of engagement of the garage auto- dodgem test, and then away to Langton Herring for a full day's rambling

The Elm Tree, a 16th. century village inn set in spectacular countryside close to the Fleet lagoon, was our mustering point for the day.

      Our morning walk provided breathtaking views of the Chesil Beach and the expanse of this famous wildlife reservation.

This contrasted very nicely with the Rodden Ridge, which was to be our venue for the afternoon.  Crab sandwiches in the Elm Tree gave us strength and sustenance.

We all thanked the Inn proprietor for the  private lunch room and free parking all day at Langton Herring.

Would you have believed that some walkers found strength to disco at the Crown on Saturday evening? No names, but extra pack- drill will be issued to guilty party. !!

          Sunday morning found our convoy reeling-out over the Ferrybridge peninsula.  We were off to Portland Bill and pushing the sunshine ahead.

Our photographers found Pulpit Rock and the majestic Bill lighthouse bathed in perfect light conditions.  The very old wooden derricks echo days of stone quarrying.

Our tour of the three lighthouses, with their contrasting stone and wood structures, involved a pleasant circular route back to the Pulpit Inn.

Christine was convinced she spotted a seal near Pulpit Rock, but we may have to wait for further photographic evidence to confirm this fact !!

Portland's Coastal Path has been severely damaged by inclement weather the last few years, and very much in evidence near West Weares cliff top area.

  Our Sunday afternoon was very pleasantly whittled -away exploring the old stone quarrying site at West Weares, now called Tout Quarry Sculpture Park.

     Nearly  2 miles of winding dram - paths eventually  lead to the apply named Circle of Stones where stone masons have shown their patience and skills.

Well defined monuments of ancient monsters and winged beasts are abundant in this quarry picnic area.

        First - class evening meal in the Crown, and Sunday was rounded - off with another quiz - fest by Christine and Elaine. Thank you both very much !!!

            Monday had come around much too fast. But the sun was still shinning.  So how about a nice stroll around Radipole Lake ?

                    We were now of course, experts at Garage Slipping, so were quickly on site at the Radipoe Nature Reserve.

   What a calm and peaceful heaven to finish a busy walking weekend !   We'd had a  really great time together.  Now relax with a gentle stroll !

                Many of us had coffee and chatted until mid -day, and then drove home

Everyone, I'm sure, had a walking holiday that was punctuated by the good humour and enthusiastic support of all the members of the U3A Group

Successful  holidays are now becoming the norm, but only because we all appreciate each others unique contribution as a group

Looking forward to next year !!!!