Andy Straw, Portlander by birth's Page

Hmm, not quite a meandering this month, more of an observation. I did not get to walk the Isle since my last blog, due to the weather and that damn inconvenience called work. Tis' a shame, as I love to walk around Portland in all weathers. I have noticed the poor decorations in Fortuneswell. And I must say...what a lot of rubbish we have this year. Our Weymouth Council (Ptuh) have really excelled themselves this year...just as I thought we could not get worse, they erect the dregs leftover from… Continue

Having taken a couple of days off work, what better to do with my time than to (Again) walk around the coast path of the isle. With my wife's words ringing in my ear as I left at 8.30 (You could mow the lawn if you're that bored!) I walked my daughter to Cliff School, gave her a hug and set off up Lancorage to priory corner. Walking down the West path with a south westerly blowing me in all sorts of directions, I thought to myself that I must be extreamly careful around Blacknor Point. Twas' so… Continue

I cycle past the remains of the Officers field on an almost Daily occurance, and I see large sections of my old playground completely ripped up. I had heared that the Navy promised this land to the people of Portland, If this is true, then why did the Regional Development agency (Law unto themselves) Sell off a peice of land that does not belong to them? As part of the new development, which I may add (I did not want to see!!!!) They promised that they would retain a Full size Football pitch. As… Continue

Portland Rover, as a matter of interest, is a self proclaimed name that I call myself. Roving, however, is my favourite pastime and Portland is an ideal place to do it! I am determined to walk every registered and unregistered footpath on the Isle. From the lengthiest track to the smallest path. I would say that I have covered at least 72%, and I am still finding new ones that I have never come across before. I sometimes use Google Earth to work out a logical path, and sometimes I just "wing it"… Continue