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Two accounts of our Weymouth holiday are presented here, one written and one photographic, interwined in parallel, and often in step. There are two versions, one loads about 0.87 Mbytes of memory and the other about 1.82 Mbytes of memory. The Low memory version is quicker to load, better for dial up users, but pictures are slightly blurred. The High memory version is slower to load, not really for dial up users. CLICKING ON AN IMAGE , in either version, yields a good quality image generally of (960 pixel x 720 pixel) Try different monitor sizes. It's designed for 1240x1024 (pixels) but 1024x768 gives a bigger picture with a little scrolling whereas 800x600 is too much scrolling. High Memory Version |
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 Illustration from the WEP |
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Fifty-Three (plus Del) go Wild in Dorset Or The Mystery of the Missing Sandwiches |
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It was with an eager sense of anticipation that 53 members of West Essex Ramblers were gathered up by Del, our intrepid driver, and his big blue bus and off we sped via the Blackwall Tunnel and the M3 for Thomas Hardy’s county, stopping, en route, at Fleet Services where the greedier amongst us indulged in the “full English”.
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 Del's Coach Actually delivering us to Hardy's Cottage on Day 5 Photographer: A. Hawkins |
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 Coffee Break Short walk around and north of Sutton Poyntz Photographer: A. Hawkins |
 View looking down on Sutton Poyntz Also the sea, Isle of Portland and Weymouth Photographer: A. Hawkins |
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 King George 3rd on Horseback There's a much clearer and whiter view from the road Photographer: A. Hawkins |
 Sutton Poyntz Pond A very pretty village all round. Photographer: A. Hawkins |
 The Beach into Weymouth Final part of the walk - Sutton Poyntz to our Hotel Photographer: Ray Latham |
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We completed our journey to Weymouth on foot (a not unreasonable idea for a walking group). Our start was from the village of Sutton Poyntz, which created quite a stir amongst the locals. The sun was shinning as the chalk figure of George the Third, cut into the hillside, welcomed us into the town.
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We reached the Crown hotel, our home for the next four nights, in good order, ably marshalled by our leader for the day, Audrey Carson. The Crown is a solid Victorian (?) building positioned next to the Harbour & the Town bridge. Those of you who know Weymouth will know that the bridge can be raised (just like Tower Bridge).
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 Crown Hotel, Weymouth And Del's Coach Photographer: Ross Millar |
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 Weymouth Bridge It's smaller than Tower Bridge! Photographer: A. Hawkins |
 Weymouth Harbour Looking out to Sea A Picture at Sunrise Photographer: A. Hawkins |
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 Weymouth's Marina Another Picture at Sunrise Photographer: A. Hawkins |
Weymouth is a delightful town with a long sandy beach framed by a row of Georgian houses. It has the usual range of seaside amusements, but it also boasts a busy harbour full of fishing boats and pleasure craft. The warren of Georgian streets behind the Harbour have been tastefully restored.
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The hotel staff were on hand to greet us and we were allocated our rooms with the minimum of fuss. A couple of hours were available to settle in before dinner.
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After our meal, Len Bannister briefed us on the arrangements for the morrow. It would be a good point, here, to explain that each day there were three levels of walk available; a short, an intermediate and a longer; catering for all levels of stamina and inclination. These ingenious arrangements, whereby we all started and finished together, Len clearly explained with his well known brand of dry good humour. This became the pattern each evening and signalled the start of the nights entertainment.
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 Len Banister counting the ramblers Checking we are all onboard Photographer: A. Hawkins |
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Weymouth's Marina, from bridge end
A Night Time View Photographer: A. Hawkins 
Weymouth's Marina, from far end A Night Time View Photographer: Ray Latham |
Entertainment cannot begin to describe the array of talent on offer each evening in the ballroom. Music lovers amongst you, who were not able to join the trip, will be dismayed that you missed such giants of harmony as “John & his Music”, ”Gigilo” & “Phil Gardiner” to name but three. Seriously, those who still had the stamina, appreciated the live entertainment laid on each evening. They were able to display their not inconsiderable dancing skills. Your correspondent, sadly, apart from one brief appearance to show them what they were missing, was not amongst them, preferring to explore the night life of Weymouth ably assisted by our esteemed treasurer and a certain well-known Irishman.
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Corfe Castle between the Purbeck Hills Our walk started on the Hill Top 4 miles to the right Photographer: A. Hawkins |
Corfe Castle Shame about the scaffolding Photographer: A. Hawkins |
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Day two began in bright sunshine and we really began to appreciate the full glory of the Dorset countryside. The somber presence of Corfe Castle guarding a gap in the Purbeck Hills dominated the morning walking. The ruined magnificence of Corfe was marred somewhat by modern scaffolding encasing its grey walls. Since it was so badly damaged in the Civil War, it seems a little unreasonable that they have waited this long to repair it.
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Unfortunately, after lunch the weather closed in and the intermediate walkers, who had been promised views from the top of a great tumulus, had to complete their trek in heavy mist.
The longer walkers followed the coastal path. This was described in the notes as “rigorous” and so it proved, with much “upping” & “downing”. Buffeted by strong winds and treading carefully where the path was eroding into the sea. All three groups met at Kimmeridge Bay, where we were grateful to see Del and his coach waiting for us.
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Coastal view - on a windy afternoon Long Walkers on route to Kimmeridge Photographer: Ken Chadwick |
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After a stormy night, Monday also began in bright sunshine. The notes for day three gave added impetus to our steps as we were promised the Church at Studland displaying gargoyles “having sexual assignations”. I, for one, never saw them. This, of course, may be a reflection on my lack of experience in such matters.
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St Nicholas Church, Studland
Allegedly has those Gargoyles Photographer: Sue Coulbeck 
Harry's Rock Bournemouth on the Horizon Photographer: A. Hawkins |
Geographical highlights followed one after another. Old Harry's Rock sits alone as Old Harry's Wife fell into the sea some years ago and can only be seen at very low tide. There are times when I envy Old Harry.
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To the Right (south) of Harry's Rock The Ramber's have a break and view the rock Photographer: Len Banister |
Isle of Wight Visible behind ramblers of previous image Photographer: Ross Millar |
To the right further (more southerly) The Pinacles Peveril Point pushes into the sea on the horizon Photographer: A. Hawkins |
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An amusing incident happened, when we approached Swanage: the group managed to split in two. When we realized what had happened, we in the “lost” group could see the others on top of the ridge. Much arm waving and mobile phoning ensued. The two halves joined up again on Swanage Seafront, amid the happy greeting of “why don’t you watch where you're going”.
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Swanage Bay & Swanage feeding round to Peveril Point Before the ramblers split up Photographer: A. Hawkins |
Swanage Bay & Swanage feeding round to Peveril Point The front walkers; the "lost" followed the coastal path Photographer: A. Hawkins |
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Engine Sheds at Swanage The tourist's Swanage to Corfe Castle Steam Line Photographer: A. Hawkins |
The famous,spring fed, Mill Pond C of E Parish Church, St Mary the Virgin Photographer: A. Hawkins |
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Lunch at Durlston Head Castle Actually built as a restaurant by George Burt Late 19th Century Photographer: A. Hawkins |
Belonging to Durlston Head Castle The Great Globe of 1887 Raised a stir at the time Photographer: A. Hawkins |
North looking. Bournemouth (horizon) then Harry's Rock, Peveril Point and blackberries of Durleston Head Photographer: A. Hawkins |
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Dancing Ledge A Coffee Break Photographer: A. Hawkins |
The longer walkers were allowed a brief stop at Dancing Ledge, a disused stone quarry right at the sea’s edge, and one of the most spectacular coffee breaks I have ever had with the West Essex.
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Dancing Ledge Waves Photographer: A. Hawkins |
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Square and Compass, Worth Matravers A cider Drinker Photographer: Ken Chadwick |
The day ended, gloriously, at the pub in Worth Matravers. The short and intermediate walkers had had an hour to enjoy the seven or eight ciders on offer. We of the longer group, had to be content with a “swift half’, before Len dragged us away.
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Square and Compass, Worth Matravers Leaving the Pub to a guard of honour Photographer: A. Hawkins |
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Walking to Abbotsbury Photographer: Jan Latham |
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Swannery at Abbotsbury Polly feeds the Swans Photographer: Audrey Carson |
For day four, we stayed close to Weymouth, with the full walk from Langton Herring to Maiden castle. The short walkers were stopping at Abbotsbury to visit the Swannery.
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Swannery at Abbotsbury Elegant, Regal, Swans Photographer: Audrey Carson |
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The rest of us pressed on, amid magnificent views to the Hardy Monument. This is a stone column clearly seen for some miles before it is reached.
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Sea; Chesil Beach; Bay of the Swannery; Abbotsbury (centre); Catherine's Chapel (extreme right on hill) Photographer: A. Hawkins |
St Catherine's Chapel, Patron Saint of Spinsters Reciting a poem here, reputely, would secure a husband Photographer: A. Hawkins |
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Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy's Monument Photographer: A. Hawkins |
As we toiled up Blackdown Hill it seemed to retreat, mockingly, before us. Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy was the captain of the Victory at Trafalgar, and, famously, gave the dying Nelson his last kiss.
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All three groups met at Maiden Castle. Maiden Castle is huge: a great earth fort built over two thousand years ago on top of a great hill. It is amazing to think such a structure was made with very primitive tools.
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Maiden Castle, Perimeter I estimate one tenth the circumference is visible Photographer: A. Hawkins |
Maiden Castle - Historic Information It's readable Photographer: A. Hawkins |
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A Monument to Thomas Hardy - Poet and Writer Erected by American Admirers Photographer: Sue Coulbeck |
Wednesday was our last day. We had a morning walk in Puddletown Forest. The sun filtering through the trees was a new experience after the magnificent vistas of distant hills, sea, and sky we had enjoyed all week. Our holiday came to an end, fittingly, at Thomas Hardy's Cottage. Such a modest place to have produced such a great writer. I must confess to never having been a big fan of Hardy - but this trip to Dorset has made me want to read him again.
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Thomas Hardy Cottage And West Essex Ramblers Photographer: Len Banister |
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Let me close by thanking everyone associated with our holiday. From Julie Banister and Audrey Carson to John Francis for negotiating such an amazing price. Last, but not least, to Len Banister for the planning and organization and the wit and good humour which kept us under control. Thank you all!
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Audrey John Len Julie Carson Francis Banister Banister Photographers: A. Hawkins & Ray Latham |
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Ross - The Author He didn't understand the request to Pose with a sandwich! Photographer: A. Hawkins |
Well, what about the missing sandwiches, I hear you cry? I’m afraid it remains a mystery, as their fate, at the time of writing, has yet to come to light. A certain DCI R. Jackson (retired) would be interested in any information you can give, as he is carrying out a full investigation. Let the guilty among you beware! Ross Millar
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