Great Western Coffee Shop

Hi

As some of you already know, to mark the thirtieth year since Peter Gould organised the first of what was to become the Wessex Wanderers Railway Walks, we are planning to hold a Summer Get Together for Current & Past Leaders, Co-Leaders and Supporters, which will be on Saturday 5 July 2025.

Provisionally it’s going to be held at the Railway Inn, Westbury, which is sort of half way between Weymouth and Bristol and very close to the railway station.

It would be very helpful in planning it to get an idea of how many would like to join us, or indeed, will be unable to join us.

Once the plans have been finalised, full details will forwarded to those who have shown as interest.

Many thanks and I look forward to hearing from you.

Best wishes,

Sylvia

Chetnole to Maiden Newton via Charing Cross
Wednesday, 16th April
A linear walk across varied terrain, starting with fields and farms, some of which are likely to be wet and muddy, with some woodland paths and streams to cross.  We  continue on a steady climb on a quiet lane to Gore Hill, to walk along the hilltop paths with stunning views across Dorset down land.  We then drop down into Sydling St Nicholas before the final ascent to cross the A37 and down into Maiden Newton.

A Wiltshire Ramble
Saturday, 31st May
A walk from Trowbridge to Bradford on Avon, via river and canal paths, followed by fields and moderate hills.

A Wiltshire Ramble
Saturday, 31st May
A walk from Trowbridge to Bradford on Avon, via river and canal paths, followed by fields and moderate hills.

That looks like one I would like to do - I love canals.  See you there, grahame?

CfN. ;)

No: I was being mischievous.  ;D ;D ;D

Graham wouldn't like it anyway - only assistance dogs are allowed on that one and not your average pooch.

Lots of interesting walks - https://www.wessexrailwaywalks.org.uk ...

The walk on the 16th is long and strenuous. I set quite a brisk pace and we walk as a group so there is an expectation that everyone is able to keep the pace. This walk is quite remote in the sense that it is in deep countryside with no places at which you could turn back or give up. The terrain is rough in parts, very different from town walking. So regrettably I think it might be a step too far for you at this stage

I have been in touch with the organiser who advises
... well, I did ask  :( ... I'll find something else for my daily mile ...

Having researched further, there is an easier route from Chetnole to Maiden Newton which I may tackle tomorrow (8th May) ... and which I can do at my own pace. And if I can't keep up with myself I know there will be should be another train 2 hours later.

05:11 Gloucester to Southampton Central due 08:09

05:11 Gloucester to Southampton Central due 08:09 will be diverted between Chippenham and Trowbridge.
It will no longer call at Melksham.
It will be delayed due to the diversion and is expected to be 7 minutes late.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system.

That aborts my day out then ...  07:45 walk start from Chetnole is out ... GWR booking engine now suggests 11:45 which is about the time I would be completing my 8 hour walk!

8 miles, not 8 hours, surely?  :o

I plan to rise early again tomorrow and give it another go. Somewhat prophetically, I had decided to only buy my ticket once I knew the train had passed onto the single line on tine; same again in the morning.   It's a more expensive train / ticket than I like as it's not "Off Peak". A rather strange definition of "Off Peak" because both of the trains load very thinly and so in colloquial terms the are NOT peak services.  Weather forecast looks OK for the walk too.