Midweek Strollers

The Midweek Strollers - a parallel strand of the Westbury Park Strollers - go out walking every Thursday. The walks tend be shorter than on Sundays, and try to avoid too many obstacles, but they maintain the usual mix of good walking, good company and good food..... Oh yes, and if the weather is a bit dodgy may divert to an exhibition or concert.

And just to show that they are not put of by a minor detail such as snow, these photos were taken on Thursday 5th February 2009. A glorious walk across the Downs, past the Camera Obscura and over Mr Brunel's bridge to Ashton Court and the golf cafe for a mug of hot chocolate. The return journey took in the Mansion, the sledge runs and the Deer Park before making its way back over the bridge and across the Downs. By that time, the students had emerged from their slumbers and were dazzling in their snow constructions - giant snowmen, snow families, snow caterpillars, snow sculpture etc etc.

Strollers: Janet Brewer, Joanna & Roger Mellors + Osric the Dog.

Apologies for inept post - will try to improve.....

PROGRAMME 2009

The attached is the list of programmed walks so far proposed. Generally these take place on Sunday. New short walks planned for Friday evening. Depending on the season and the level of support we can always fit in extra walks.

February 22 Doynton and Tog Hill 6 Miles
Carol Marks
March 29 Bowood 7 Miles
Barry Williams
April 10 Alveston 3 miles
Joanna M/Sylvia D
April 19 Strawberry line Cycle Ride 25 miles
Joanna and Roger Mellors
May 3 Parret Walk 9 miles
Joanna and Patrick Power
May 7 Bluebell Walk 3 miles
Joanna and Roger Mellors
May 22 ‘City Walk’ - UWE to the City 4 + Miles
Jeff Hurran
June 7 Symonds Yat 9 miles
Sandy and Roger Ayton
June 19 Yanley and Bedminster Down 4 miles
Joanna M /Sylvia D
June 28 Canoe Outing on the Wye
Sylvia Williams
July 10 Littleton on Severn 3-5 miles
Joanna M/Sylvia D
July 18/19 Lulworth Hostel Weekend 2 walks
Carol Marks
July 31 Purdown 3 miles
Joanna M/Sylvia D
August 16 Chedworth 8 miles
Mike Duffy
August 28 Abbots Leigh
Joanna M/Sylvia D
September 6 ‘Grand Day Out’ –Dawlish
David Bruce
September 18 Old Sneed Park
Joanna M/Sylvia D
September 27 Brockweir/St Bravells 6 miles
John Leggatt
October 18 Woodchester House 6 miles
Richard Henderson
November 8 St Catherine’s 8 miles
Jeff Bishop
November 29 Sand Point 5 miles
Jeff Hurran
December 27 Mulled Wine and Mince Pies 4 miles
Crooks Peak
Carol Marks

Keep space for short walks during the week and evening walks !

February 2009 walk Doynton

Thanks to Carol for organising it, this walk was most enjoyable, on a spring-like day. The sun shone for us, the promised views were crystal clear and we enjoyed a sit-down meal at the popular White Hart Inn at Cold Ashton before completing our circular walk in Doynton.

22 FEBRUARY AT DOYNTON
From Carol Marks
Please contact Carol direct if you intend to join the walk.
1 : It'll take about 40mins to get to Doynton
2 : Good views over Bristol from the top of Tog Hill, and the pub in Cold Ashton is very good
3 : Length 6 miles, two good climbs, maybe about 10 stiles
4 : Parking is at the Cross House pub in Doynton, so as few cars as possible because we're not actually using their pub!
Some space on nearby streets
5 : Includes pub lunch at Cold Ashton
6 : Telephone *******
7 : Mobile ***********
8 : Back up name - not done this, but will ask around
9 : I'll warn the pub

A poem from Anne Wellings on the Teignmouth walk

Please click on poem for a more readable version.

David and Di have added a last verse:

.

So hearty thanks we give from one and all

To First Great Western's transport of delight.

Sans leaves, sans waves, sans flood, sans mist or fog,

The strollers all got home before the night.

It was not at all like Keats' 1818 view of Devon while staying in Teignmouth - "a splashy, rainy, misty, snowy, foggy, haily, floody, muddy, slipshod County" ( in the Oxford Literary Guide to the British Isles.)

So we got there! 5th October

Many to Dawlish and the cliff path

we survived the raging sea and met up at Shaldon (but I have no photos of that)

Final Points for Teignmouth Trip 5th October

Some points for Teignmouth intrepids

MOBILE PHONE NUMBER FOR DAVID BRUCE is 07788-195673
1) WE MEET AT 8.00 am near Ticket Office Temple Meads (IF YOU HAVE SAID YOU HAVE A SENIOR RAILCARD, DO BRING IT WITH YOU - PARTNERS BOTH NEED RAILCARDS)
2) Getting to and Parking around Temple Meads.
Unfortunately public transport early on Sunday morning from this end of town to Temple meads is nearly non existent. For bus passholders free but for others £5, the Airport bus goes hourly from Blackboy Hill top (near the Esso Station) to Temple Meads at 0655 (rather early) or 0755 TOO LATE!
Fairly secure cycle parking (on Platform 3 is available).
ON A SUNDAY parking in the station is cheaper but still expensive. Better option is probably street parking bays or SINGLE yellow lines which are FREE and unrestricted on a Sunday - Suggestions are Victoria Street with lots of Sunday free parking bays or (closer to TM) Redcliff MEAD -it's a bit tricky to reach in a car from this end of town you need to go beyond Temple Meads station and then double back and turn left into it off Redcliffe Way. It is close and easy to walk to the station from the parking places.
3) Early Sunday morning at Temple Meads has few facilities and train down to Dawlish/Teignmouth has no buffet: I suggest you bring thermos/snack with you.
4) Weather forecast is a bit dire but good pubs in Shaldon - I have reserved a table in the Ferry Boat Inn and they hope to serve us all but we can discuss options on the train down.
5) On way back (16h13 from Teignmouth) scones, cream and jam (price £1-75) will be available. Hot tea should be available from the buffet car.

The Teignmouth Walk on 5th October

Please all meet at 8 am by the ticket office at Temple Meads Station.

David Bruce will have your tickets and will collect your money:

For Senior rail card holders price is £10-86 return
For Standard travellers price is £14-91

IF YOU HAVE ONE, BRING YOUR SENIOR RAIL CARD.

No rail card will lead to a high excess payment being required.

Walk from Dawlish to Teignmouth is Coast path about 2-3 boots).

Walk around Shaldon etc 1-2 boots

Ferry to Sheldon costs, I think, about £1-50

Lunch bar snacks or more available at Inn in Shaldon.

Please advise David Bruce (check email) if you want to reserve a table place.

If you want to swim off beach at Shaldon, bring a swimming costume and towel

Sorry no refunds if weather aweful so let's hope for the best.

Teignmouth Stroller Trip 5th October 2008
Out bound train goes to Dawlish and Teignmouth
0830 from Temple Meads -Return at 1613 from Teignmouth