Even the weather was kind to us – eventually. 

As the old saying goes, if you don’t like the weather – just wait. Having been forced to abandon our planned walk on the Monday as squalls, storms, and darkness gripped Dorset, on Tuesday we were presented with bright blue skies and sunshine. 

Fourteen walkers and two dogs set off from the Poachers’ Inn at Piddletrenthide and made our talkative way over five miles of gorgeous rolling farmland scenery, up the steady but not overly-steep inclines, and with most of it on farm tracks, which helped avoid the mud caused by the previous day’s storms. Of course, if the humans did manage to avoid the mud, the dogs most decidedly chose not to.

Other than walking, the prime activity on Mileaters’ walks is typically a constant level of friendly chat. Not this time. On this walk the prime activity for some of the group at least (Lesley, Lesley and Barbara – we’re particularly looking at you here) was blackberrying.  Bush after bush laden with berries proved too much of a temptation, and the foraging trio fell further and further behind, only to catch up when we all reached the pub for lunch. There we were also reunited with Richard and Arend who had taken one minor wrong turning whilst deep in conversation – a near inevitable occupational hazard on such walks.

Service and food at the Poacher’s Inn were generally great. The management had been really friendly and supportive when we were planning the walk – even if the publican did say, “I take it that you stop for lunch halfway through your walks.” You can be assured that I soon put her right on that one.

We happily covered the miles, and we ate, which is everything that a Mileater needs on a sunny Tuesday. Thank Heavens that we postponed it from the previous day. 

David Haslam