The Mileaters

Published: 02 January 2022

Last Updated: 02 January 2022

Mileaters Report – 30th December

Twix-mas, between Christmas and New Year, can always be something of a challenge. Neither one thing, nor the other. A time of lazy contemplation of the year past, the year ahead, and an accumulation of yet another Covid test. A good time for a Mileaters challenge.

On 30th December, Martinstown Mileaters split into three distinct groups. Some reasonably chose to eat and not walk, others chose to walk and not eat, and some did both. The 14 hardy souls, plus two dogs, who chose to walk faced drizzle, challenging hills, 40 mph crosswinds, and mud, but they also experienced companionship, post-Christmas nattering, and a recognition that even if you can’t see a view through the cloud and mist, it is still there – a truly Zen appreciation of life. We walked from the South Dorset Ridgeway down to Bincombe, had coffee at the church – a church with a 13th Century font and wonderful views that cannot have changed for centuries – and then through Upwey all the way back up to the Ridgeway. At this point, one of our members decided the weather had turned fine, removed her waterproof trousers, and promptly triggered a rainstorm.

At the Brewers Arms we were met by those who had chosen not to walk. They looked dry. The rest of us looked smug. The pub provided simply wonderful service. Our lunch had been booked for 1.15. All eighteen of us were served with hot food by 1.16. If only every pub we visit during the year could achieve this standard of service. If only….

And so another successful Mileaters year of challenging but memorable walks drew to a close. Pleasantly tired. Comfortably replete. And hoping for better weather in the walks to come. 

David Haslam

Published: 15 December 2021

Last Updated: 15 December 2021

Mileaters' Pre-Christmas Walk

14 mileaters and 4 dogs met on the village green for a pre-Christmas walk , heading off up through farmland and towards Poundbury under the A35.Walking over to the fire station and going behind this and under the A37. Across fields and 4 styes where coffee break was taken . 

Now Santa heavily disguised as Chris produced from his Santa sack a flask of hot mulled wine and some mince pies. What a jolly festive treat. The dogs thought so too and wanted their share and good old Musto did exactly that getting into the sack. (You could tell Rosie wasn't in charge of him today!)  Seasonal break over time to move on, we had the pub to get too. 

Walking down across a field of crops into a small wood then upward on a gravely track to the A35. Crossing over we are now on the homeward track that passes Badger wood and although rather muddy and slippery no one came a cropper. The wash pool (or dust bath shall we say ) was a welcome sight as we then came to the Brewers Arms, parting company with some who couldn't do lunch and also joined by some who couldn't do the walk. 

A good hearty lunch was well washed down with a few drinks and good spirits. 

Merry Christmas to all. 

Lesley P. 

Published: 01 December 2021

Last Updated: 01 December 2021

Mileaters Night Walk

19th November 8.30pm by the Church on the Green was the rendezvous and in the end 12 mileaters made it. It was warm, almost too warm, for the extra layers of clothing we had put on and the exertion we were about to make. Nevertheless, we trod the well-worn path up to the Ridgeway via Groves Hill and the small wood. Familiar but different in the half light of a full moon covered by cloud. 

This small group gathered to hear poems and music and then some silence to enjoy the majesty of the place. A clear sky would have been even more magical.

Weymouth, Portland and perhaps even the Isle of White were in view. It was very quiet, we could hear nothing from all those lives being led just below us nor any animal noises. Just us.

Thanks to Jo and Cathie for the poems and Katie and Peter for the music.

Thank you also to those who shared it.

Stuart Nuttall

Published: 30 November 2021

Last Updated: 30 November 2021

The Mileaters Literary Circle

…well, circuit anyway.

26 of us, and 8 canine friends, set off from near Max Gate on a grey, threatening day, soon to savour a selection of building sites and civic amenities - sewerage works and tip - perhaps reflecting the leaden clouds above.

Once passed, we were soon out into the countryside where the day brightened measurably, and onwards to Stafford House, home of Julian Fellowes. "What was the river we crossed?"  Frome, Piddle, came the replies, but no it was our very own South Winterborne, but sadly no kingfishers in sight.

A quickened pace up Bunkers Hill to bag one of the 3 spaces on the bench at the top and a stop for coffee, with views over a drizzly Dorchester and Kingston Maurward. After Stafford Farm, berry-laden hedgerows brought us to the Jubilee Trail and Whitcombe, home of mystery author Minette Walters.

Surviving the crossing of the busy A352, the Trail led us up through woodland to Came House where, from a short dissertation from the erudite Gerald, we learnt that William Barnes was buried in nearby Winterborne Came church. Finally, we passed Max Gate, former home of Thomas Hardy.

An interesting local walk enjoyed by all, only to be let down by "the pub with no beer", no draught at any rate.

Nick Priddle - 22nd November 2021.

Published: 14 November 2021

Last Updated: 14 November 2021

Mileaters Walk, Monday 8 November

Monday 8 November started grey and damp as 4 dogs escorted by 19 Mileaters set out on our latest excursion.  This time our start and end point was the True Lovers Knot, a pub in Tarrant Keyneston, a longish drive but well worth the effort.  From there we walked a known route, but one which we had not done for some time, across the fields to Spetisbury, along the old railway line and back across the water meadows which were definitely living up to their name.  The more intrepid among us also scaled the iron age fort of Crawford Castle to enjoy wide ranging views towards sister forts from a bygone age.  

Along the way we visited the thirteenth century church of St Mary, whose walls are decorated with the remains of 13^thand 14^th century frescoes which were rediscovered in the 1970s.  Further on we crossed the old stone bridge at Spetisbury, pausing for a photograph there to echo one taken the last time we did this walk.

Our coffee break was taken on the former station platform at Spetisbury; alas no trains have run through there since the 1950’s.  The rain held off until we arrived back at our cars in time for a well earned pub lunch.

All in all a very pleasant walk of approximately 5.7 miles, no big hills to climb, and a good route for an autumn morning.

Linda Scotts, Lynne Axford, and of course, Lulu

Published: 28 October 2021

Last Updated: 31 October 2021

Mileaters Walk  •  27 Oct 2021

There were 24 walkers and 3 dogs present for the walk from The Springhead pub in Sutton Poyntz for a circuit of around 6 mies. The weather was disappointingly gloomy but the rain held off for most of the time. The walk was very varied and consited of fields, tracks and cliff tops and even a short section through a caravan park but not everyone could remember that bit. Unfortunately the coffee stop had to be improvised due to the stong wind blowing from the sea.

Walking through Sutton Poyntz was very interesting and the beginning of the walk took us along a small path adjacent to the river (Silver Street)  where you could clearly see paving stones which were practice pieces for apprentice stone masons. At the end of Silver Street there was Laurel Cottage which was once the poor house of the village. The final historical fact came as we walked past the Osmington White Horse on the hill side which was a figure of King George III which was created in 1808. There have been several attempts to restore and clean the horse, the latest being for the Olympic games in 2012.

At times due to the large number of walkers and the frequent gates or stiles the group was often spread out which made it difficult to ensure everyone was accounted for but fortunately everone arrived safely at the Springhead pub where we enjoyed some good food and good company.

Richard Benson