The Mileaters

The village walking group began nearly 35 years ago with the aim of walking the Dorset Coast Path, in sections, from the Devon border to Sandbanks. Subsequently the reverse route from Sandbanks to Devon has been undertaken.

We are a friendly group of local residents, ex-residents, and colleagues from the area, who meet on a fortnightly basis to enjoy the diversity of the wonderful Dorset countryside. We take it in turns to lead a walk with most members being allotted a fortnight's slot twice a year. The choice of distance, location, and day within that fortnight is at the discretion of the fortnightly leader, but walks (anywhere in Dorset) are usually between 4 and 8 miles. 

Walk details are distributed by email. A picnic lunch is often carried in the Summer, but a pub lunch in the Winter is the norm - rehydration is de rigueur! Generally we meet on the Village Green at 10.00 a.m.

Contact:
Nick Priddle tel: 01305 889189

Our second Mileaters walk followed neatly on from our first successful March jaunt around the Folly from The Brace of Pheasants at Plush. Though, with a few exceptions we led a new group of 16 plus 3 dogs.

Happily all cars arrived at the designated parking for Lyscombe bowl more or less together.  The 'chatty' group set off on the sunniest warmest afternoon and evening we had seen for sometime.  There were multiple pauses to admire the outstanding  360 degrees views, but no coffee break.

At the strategic point a sensible 6 and 2 dogs split from the rest for a shorter circuit of 3.75 miles. It was hot! Apart from one fence to negotiate all went as planned. 

The delightful orchard next to the chapel and ruins provided the perfect, picturesque picnic spot where both groups met up. Huge thanks to Riou for ferrying everyone's picnic close by and all those who helped unload the car. Riou then cheerfully provided a taxi service for some back to the car park. 

Laura Baxter

Mileaters Wareham Walk





The MILEATERS out and about…  

                   

Despite a forecast of 70% chance of rain, an intrepid group of 14 Mileaters plus three dogs set off for the Woolsbarrow carpark, Wareham forest for the start of a walk led by Gerald and Rosie Duke.

The route took us to Woolsbarrow fort, the smallest hillfort in Dorset; not a difficult stroll to reach the top and once there one could see why its commanding views over the western end of Poole harbour would have been so important.  We carried on along the St Edward Way – so named after the processional route taken for carrying King Edward’s body from the priory at Wareham to the abbey at Shaftesbury. King Edward I (also known as Edward the Martyr) reigned for about 3 years and was murdered in 978 in the market place at Corfe Castle, apparently by his stepmother, he was probably about 15 or 16 years old.

The route crossed the A35 in two places and we were safely seen across this fast road by Gerald wearing his hi-viz jacket (bought especially for the occasion!)

The rain didn’t materialise and on our return to the carpark, we drove to The Silent Woman pub for a well earned lunch after a 5.3 mile walk. 

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Rosie Duke

17th July - Not such a Blue Monday 

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Does anyone really like Mondays? Phrases like “that Monday morning feeling” hardly ooze fun and relaxation. Bob Geldof of the Boomtown Rats famously sang, ”I don’t like Mondays” in his trademark cheery way. Other Monday songs include “Rainy Days and Mondays,” “Blue Monday”, Stormy Monday” and… well, you get my drift. But despite it being an initially dull morning, twelve cheery Mileaters and one canine companion met on Monday July 17th for a circular walk from Charminster up through Charlton Down and past the grounds of the former Dorset County Lunatic Asylum – as it was known when it was opened in 1832, ending up passing through the Wolfedale Golf Course and back to the start.

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Highlights of the walk included an extraordinary kaleidoscope of butterflies – and yes, that really is a recognised collective noun for a flutter of butterflies – fabulous views across open countryside towards Dorchester and Poundbury, a few drops  of rain perfectly timed for our coffee break, and a photo-stop at Seagers Barn around a bench that had been generously provided a few years ago by a former Mileater, Richard Coode, after an older seat at the same spot had fallen into disrepair.

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Sadly many of the final paths on the route had become significantly overgrown, resulting in a veritable rash of scratches, nettle stings, and Mileaters anxiously searching for ticks. But we all made it, and had a very welcome drink and pub-grub lunch at The Three Compasses in Charminster, where the excellent value prices and friendly service impressed us all. 

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Not such a blue Monday after all...

David Haslam