In the last part I’d reached the Canford Bottom Roundabout. It’s a bit of a land mark in these parts, and not always for the best reasons. Too many choices in too small a space! In the Google Earth screen grab, I’ve traced in white just under the route, the train once took. It amazes me that even after all this time, one can still trace that route through a modern landscape. Said roundabout is up in the top right hand side. The purple route mark is that of the official Castleman Trail. You can see that nothing in this part of walk “is on track”! I’ve also marked the rough place of where the Wimborne station once stood. Amazing to think now that this was once the busiest station in the county – not only now completely gone, the train goes no where near the town! A few steps away from the roundabout the path leads across a field (above).
Before too long the path meets, and then follows for a while the River Stour. There were a few berries out so I went into close up mode, not using any additional gear, jst the close focus that the Takumar 35mm f2 gave.
A short distance further, the other side of the river, stands Canford School and private school. There is within the grounds a rather nice church, that back in my days of doing such things, I videoed a couple of weddings there.
I’ve walked this little part into Wimborne before, but since then the footpaths are much better marked, and indeed gravelled. This patch has also been designated as “Stourview Greenspace”, a few new trees have also been planted I’m pleased to say. There is also a weir here!
At this point I followed the Castleman Trail and left the track I’d walked before, and crossed the Canford Suspension Footbridge. I was very surprised to find out that it’s been there for 150 years!
The path here is easy, follows the other side of the river for a bit, ducks under the main A31 road, and then eventually comes out on one of the main road into Wimborne. I’ll use that as the start for the next part!
Chatter: Pentax Spotmatic SP, with the 50mm and mostly 35mm Takumar’s, on the old movie Ilford FP4 stock, I’m bulk loading my way through. Processed in Ilford ID11, 1+3.2, for 20 mins at 20°.
S.H.O.U.T. 