2/9/06 - Six optimistic walkers met at Yarmouth for the 10am ferry to be met by Dave and our leader Suzanne at Lymington. Andy was mysteriously absent. After a brief scuffle for the best car seats we were heading west towards the gathering clouds. An uneventful drive was enlivened by Martin's jokes and Colin's tales of Red Funnel ferry crashes. Arriving at Studland a scant 15 minutes late for the planned start, we were oddly unsurprised to learn that the other leader Julie had overslept and wasn't due for a couple of hours. With typical British pluck we set out regardless, stopping for an early lunch with a slightly gloomy view over Poole harbour before proceeding to Old Harry's Rocks where the view across to where the Island should be was described vividly by our leader. Heading up Ballard Down, it soon became clear the early lunch was a good plan as the wind rose and the rain started. We battled along the top of the ridge, using what little shelter we could find, which sadly for the taller members of the party turned out to be them. As we passed a sign for Studland the first murmurings of mutiny were in the air and by the time we reached the obelisk Suzanne wisely offered to shorten the original 10 to 6 miles. Heading for lower ground we were finally joined by Julie who was instantly blamed for the weather. Continuing across the golf course to Agglestone Rock, we stopped to shelter briefly before continuing round the back of Studland and back to the village for a well earned pint. Back on four wheels we returned via the Poole floating bridge (obviously not as good as Cowes ;) then via a choppy ferry to Yarmouth.

Leader - Suzanne (& eventually Julie)

Total Distance - 6.4 Miles