We gathered on Friday at the Hotel. Some of us swam in the pool in the warm August sun and some had a wander down to the Cove before meeting for drinks and dinner and another quick stroll to the beach.

The last member of our group arrived later. We all had a fairly early night after some long journeys.

Saturday morning was bright and warm and we gathered our picnic lunches and were treated to a very impromptu demonstration of POI, a colourful, soft ball or ribbon used in traditional Maori dances and songs.

We then set off through the village to Bindon Hill, pausing at the top to look back at the village, before heading off along the coastal path through the Ranges.

The path looks over the Army tank training camp giving us an intriguing view down onto the firing areas and targets.

It is an unusual mix of glorious countryside and a sombre reminder of this country's services training.

We paused above Arish Mel, then walked back and down to Mupes Bay for lunch and a swim for some, a moment of quiet contemplation for others and a snooze for one or two!.

Our path then took us on the lower track to the Fossil Forest which we all climbed down to view. Evidence of life 135 million years ago can be viewed close up.

We walked off the Ranges and down into Lulworth Cove and back along the beach to the Hotel for tea, ice creams and swims.

One of our group took the rib trip out of the Cove and along the coast to view Durdle Door from the water. We then met for drinks and a good dinner.

Sunday morning was warm and a little overcast as we set off round the hill and up onto the coastal path heading west.

The sun was coming out giving us great views inland and along the coast to Portland Bill.

A breeze was blowing giving us good walking conditions. We stopped for a break and then carried on along the path towards Ringstead.

We paused at St Catherine's Church and spent some time in the Church and on the grass outside looking out to sea. A special spot.

We then climbed up onto the coastal path and headed for White Nothe and our lunch stop.

From here we continued along the higher path towards Durdle Door.

We finally crested the last hill before viewing Durdle Door.

Our last path took us up and over the hill back to Lulworth Cove where we enjoyed cream teas and Dorset Apple cake.

We had a very happy dinner and a visit to some of the groups rooms amongst much hilarity. A final walk to the Cove before bed.

On Monday morning some of the group had to leave early, so the remaining eight of us walked up out of the village through the fields and onto the ridge above the village.

The views of the countryside and farmland were lovely and we enjoyed spotting and identifying the wildflowers, butterflies and the wildlife.

We walked into Winfrith along the old drovers path through an ancient and fairly overgrown path picking fruit along the way.

We then headed along to East Chaldon before turning up a lovely valley towards Daggers Gate.

It was a quiet, peaceful path bathed in sunshine.

Our final track took us back to the coastal path for a final look along the cliffs before heading down into Lulworth for a last ice cream and our departure.

It was a great weekend with good company, interesting chats and lots of laughter.