WEYMOUTH IN WINTER
WEYMOUTH IN WINTER
Once again, lured by an offer from the Royal Hotel that was too good to turn down a group of intrepid Day walkers spent four days in Weymouth –King George the III’s favourite watering place. Luckily now splendidly restored, thanks to the Olympics.
Most of the group had not visited Weymouth in recent years and were all very pleasantly surprised by the number of interesting walks round about. There was something to interest all of the group. Mike Starkey led two longer walks and instructed those who wanted an easier exploration of the sea front, or nature reserve and the Nothe point with its old fortifications. Walking round Weymouth was a delight as all the beautiful Georgian fronts had been painted up for the Olympic Events.
On the first day a little stroll to Osmington Mills and back along the coast path was planned. But as every one knows we have had more than the usual amount of rain this year, and…. But I shall quote John Stoves’ thank you speech delivered later that night…
“Mike , when you briefed us about the walk you warned us that it would be muddy. The words you used did not prepare us for what we were about to experience. To be fair there are no words that could have prepared us.
“We walked happily above the White Horse but when we descended to the coast path we were faced with some 250 yards with 6inches depth of slurry and also we had to deal with the 80 or so cattle who preferred to stand in this path rather than to climb on to the lush higher pastures. Some of us feared walking past them but our fierce looks rooted them to the spot and we were able to pick our way through the slurry.
Thank you Mike for an ‘unforgettable’ day – I will be dining out on this for months”
The next day all groups visited Portland walking different routes and meeting up at a rather breezy Portland Bill for lunch. Everyone agreed that it was a historically fascinating lump of rock, with evidence of the quarrying lying about everywhere, but on a rather grey and cloudy day the grim dark Portland stone had a forbidding aspect, not improved by the dark ramparts round the Verne Prison. However on the way back, finding the coast path was closed a detour had to be made through Tout Quarry Park where local artists have carved out numerous sculptures, many of which give the rock a light and imaginative finish. And everywhere we walked there were stunning views of Weymouth Bay and harbour with glimpses of Chesil Bank stretching away to the West.
Tired legs enjoyed evenings of quizzes and silly games which rounded off another memorable trip. Many thanks to Peter Laws for organising the hotel and to Mike Starkey for leading and arranging the walks. We are already thinking about next year.
Jill Kendal