28 Ibexers escaped for the Christmas Weekend on the scenic Dorset coast.
Saturday morning dawned grey and gloomy but five groups set off (or drove off) from the hostel for a range of walks taking in the Jurassic Coast and its hinterland. I was on David and Susan's walk which began below the Osmington White Horse, carved out of the chalk in 1808 and showing King George III on horseback.
Mud, shaggy brown cattle and more mud followed with some good views until we hit the coast and the drizzle became more persistent. The bucolic delights of lunch in the car park of the Smuggler's Inn pub in Osmington Mills were followed by more cattle and more mud. At this point, I was reminded of the film "A Field in England" where four hapless deserters from English Civil War armies stumble confusedly around an eponymous field in the middle of nowhere. Things cheered up immensely when we repaired the Springhead in Sutton Poyntz.
Moving on to other groups' exploits and walks, Heather managed two swims and the Lulworth Fossil Forest was visited - 145 million years ago primitive trees grew there and when they died they were covered with mats of algae, now transformed into rounded lumps of limestone called algal burrs.
Then on to the serious business of festivities back at the hostel. Mulled wine and delicious homemade mince pies were duly consumed. Hazel and Patrick had brought boeuf bourguignon and roast potatoes with them and we were soon tucking into that followed after a decent interval by a choice of Christmas pudding, trifle and gluten-free cheesecake.
On Sunday, the weather was a little better and people headed off for walks along the stretches of coast that they hadn't yet explored. The sun came out for a bit around midday, picking out the white cliffs and giving the sea a momentarily Mediterranean hue. I was in Cathy C's group which dodged the waves to walk around the enclosure of Lulworth Cove. Heather launched herself into the water again which was, she claimed, a tolerable temperature.
Many thanks to Hazel for all her work in enabling us to have an excellent weekend and to everyone who organised walks, brought and cooked food and contributed to the festive atmosphere. I fear it may be some time before we assemble again in such numbers but it was excellent that we were able to do so and a testament to the Ibex spirit of seizing the day and going out, come what may. By Phinella H.
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