Sunday 30th April 2006. Dartmoor (photos Ken Burgess) |
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| From Belstone village the walkers went basically south on the ridge to the west of the Taw Valley going via Belstone and Oke Tors then descending to the ford over the infant river in Steeperton Gorge before climbing back up to the lunch stop at Hanggingstone Hill. The return was along a well-defined track via Wild Tor (above right) and Hound Tor before ascending to the top of Cosdon Hill. The ancient White Moor stone circle was passed on the way. The descent from Cosdon Hill (above left) took walkers into Belstone Cleve and the route alongside the River Taw was a clear contrast to the open moorland where walkers had been for most of the way. Some difficult walking was experienced in the morning climbing up the rocky outcrops that lead to the ridge and in the afternoon alongside the river where the path required walkers to negotiate several some small streams that join the main river. These were particularly difficult for one member of the group who is blind. Congratulations to him and his guide for completing what must be the most difficult walk they have attempted to date. A footbridge across the picturesque river led walkers back to the village and the drive back to Taunton. | ||
Sunday 30th April 2006. Culmstock & The Culm Valley (photos Roger Conway) walk stats 4.6 miles 255ft of climb. |
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On a dry warm afternoon, some of the members had lunch at the Culm Valley Inn before joining the later arrivals to walk along the valley and the trackbed of the Culm Valley Railway to Hunkin Woods, where the Woodlands Trust has planted a large range of native species of trees following the ravages of Dutch Elm Disease, not to mention some strange 'stonehenge style' ornaments. After crossing the river we took the droving lane to Craddock, where we did a little road work through this attractive hamlet before returning to the fields again to reach Northcott and finally through the ancient bridal route to the River Culm and over the footbridge back to our starting point, where several of the party enjoyed a refreshing drink in the pub garden. | |
| Friday
28th April. Out from Bishops Lydeard (photos Roger Conway) Walk Stats:- 4.9miles, climbs 217ft |
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| Signing in and ordering supper took place under the famous "5's" wall at the Lethbridge Arms (see photo left) and off we went on a stroll through the quintescential English countryside, with its rolling pastures, a wonderful display of Hawthorne blossom (see photo above left) (so you can cast off your clouts, 'cus may is out), farm ponds, thatched cottages and a preserved railway (see above right) and back to supper at the pub. What more could you need on an early summers evening? |
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Wed 26th April. Thornhill to Stoke Hill (photos Roger Conway) walk stats 5.2 miles 567ft of climb. |
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A special day, the sun was shining and
even the white van stopped to let us cross the main road.
Up to the top of Stoke Hill via the new Henlade Woods,
around the back of the Scout Camp at Huish Woods to reach
the A358 at Thornfalcon Garage. Another courteous driver
and up to the beacon on Thorn Hill. the final leg took us
past the beautiful Thornfalcon Church. < The donkeys were seen as we walked up Stoke Hill |
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| Sunday
23rd April. Mendip Meander (photo Wendy Camp) |
Starting at Oakhill the group walked for 11˝ miles passing Maesbury Castle and, for a while, following the Fosse Way. During the break for lunch they sat on a hill overlooking the viaduct at Shepton Mallet. The circular walk was largely across farmland but also included woodland around a disused quarry. Although it threatened, the rain held off and the weather was ideal for walking. |
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| Sunday
23rd April. Maundown Hill to Washbattle Bridge (photos Basil Caplin) |
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| Despite threatening rain, 18 walkers turned out. In the event we were spared the rain, and with no wind and a mild temperature, most people's concern turned to keeping cool. This especially applied to the start of the walk which called for a stiffish half-hour climb up Maundown Hill. We then followed footpaths where, at 300 metres, we had a panoromic view of the Brendons, including Huish Champflower. Moving on to a woodland scene, we descended through the Maundown Plantation leading to the pretty Washbattle Bridge and the River Tone. We walked alongside the Tone, little more than a stream at this point, until we reached a road which fords the river. We paused here to follow the progress of a gaggle of geese, marching in line as is their wont. Leaving the Tone, we ascended Challick Lane before taking to the fields, enjoying another panoramic view, this time of Wiveliscombe. We then made a longish downhill descent along narrow paths, until we emerged abruptly from the countryside to find ourselves with muddied boots on West Street, the shopping heart of Wiveliscombe. | ||
Wed 19th April. West Somerset Mineral Line (photos Roger Conway) walk stats 5.0 miles 887ft of climb. |
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| The 19 walkers who braved the weather forecast were rewarded with a virtually dry afternoon and a trip back to the heydays of our industrial past. Leaving the pub car park we climbed over the hill into the Leighland Valley (top right) and then south through the woods, that were blanketed with primroses and snowdrops, to drop onto the trackbed of the Mineral Railway, now used as a service road to the houses at Traphole, Lower Hayne and Pitt Mill. We diverted out of the valley across the stream (above top left) up to Leighland Chapel to see the church of St Giles (above lower left), before returning to the old railway route (above lower centre) and along the trackbed to work our way through the woods to Hook Mills. A blocked path caused a diversion to the planned route and we walked a little road section to the Hamlet of Sticklepath, before returning to the open footpaths along the eastern side of the valley via the Samaritans Way, Pitt Woods and Erridge Woods. A final stop was taken to look at the old crossing gates (above lower right) and the remains of the railway bridge across the Washford River. | ||
| Friday
14th April. Adsborough & West Monkton (photos Roger Conway) Walk Stats:- 3.75 miles, climbs 406ft |
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A day of heavy showers gave way to early evening sunshine as the 19 walkers set off and were soon into the fields and after a stop to admire the farmer's old MF Tractor, we went down to the ford at Coombe Bottom (see photo left) and then up over Burlinch and through the plantation to the lane at Overton where we paused to feed the Shetland Ponies (see above right). More fields and lanes, not to mention the 'hairy' crossing of the A38, and through the hamlet of Adsborough before crossing back over the main road to return to the pub in time for supper. | |
| Sunday 9th April. Whiteball, Cothay & Chitterwell | ||
| We started in bright sunshine with a cold northerly wind. We soon left the noisy A38 behind and glimpsed a fox,and a buzzard circling overhead. The walk took us through a field of pigs in sties looking as if they had just been weaned, inquisitive but timid. We made our way to Greenham, passing Greenham Barton with Greenham Hall on the hill we took the path following the Great Western canal to Cothay. With glimpses of the Manor House we proceeded past banks of primrose, celandines and white and purple violets. We kept to the road as the field into Thorne St Margaret I knew to me ankle deep in mud, we went far enough on the path to see a guinea fowl enclosure although most of them were in the fields. Back on the road past the new path leading to the lime kiln in Bluebell wood. We passed Thorne Manor with its ancient barn with a Domesday plaque. Through the Millennium wood and down into Chitterwell, we had to take the new route of the footpath to the A38 and back to Whiteball., the weather was perfect throughout the walk. 3 of us enjoyed a carvery at the Beambridge. | ||
| Sunday
9th April. Dorset Hill (photos Dave Patten) |
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| Sunday's walk in unknown Dorset (at least to many Taunton Deane regulars) started from Powerstock with a confession from the leader Dave Patten. "The pub option is non-optional. Though I checked on the web that claimed that the pub at Toller Porcorum served lovely grub, it is now closed." To keep ramblers from fainting he offered some of Miss Moppet's lunch of fresh Bonios, or a nibble on his French stick with paté. In glorious weather the group of 16 wended up to Eggardon Hill a well preserved hill fort with views almost to France. The ramparts were thought to be the equal of Maiden Castle. From this summit the group walked down to Toller where en route a friendly farmer related that the vacant pub had not closed last week as the leader had surmised, but nine years ago. Though the villagers tried to buy it, Palmers Brewery refused to sell. Three hungry walkers munched the leader's loaf then continued through the village to Kingcombe and pleasant woods, some felled to Poorton. From here it was a pleasant descent through a steep sided valley deserted by folk and livestock. Then back via West Milton to the cars by 4.30. An excellent walk enjoyed by all. | ||
| Friday
7th April. Out from North Newton (photos Roger Conway) Walk Stats:- 4.8miles, climbs 165ft |
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| On a fresh, but sunny evening 21 walkers gathered at the Rising Sun Inn and after supper orders had been taken and passed to the chef, we set off on a route that took us through farm yards, open fields, access tracks and finally back to North Newton along the Taunton to Bridgwater Canal, including negotiating our way past an intransigent swan sitting on the towpath. | ||
| Wenesday
5th April. Orchard Portman circular (photos Roger Conway) walk stats 4.5 miles 304ft of climb. |
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| A sunny day, so it must be walking time. 22 members and 4 potential members set off from Thurlbear Church and shortly reached the postmans nightmare (see photo). Onwards and upwards around the woods and down the tracks to Orchard Portman where the group paused to view the Polo grounds and the waterfall (see photo). The return leg was mainly across the fields with clear and uninterupted views of the Blackdowns. | ||
| Sunday
2nd April. Around the Quantocks (photos Stewart Owen) walk stats 10.55 miles 2,065ft of climb. |
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| 14
Ramblers a retriever and a bassett hound headed northwest
from Crowcombe Park Gate past the trig point and on
towards Halsway Soggs and taking the lower path they made
their way to Paradise Combe, spotting seven deer on the
way. Avoiding the descent and ascent out of the combe in
expectation of enough toil ahead, the walkers again saw
deer, this time 4 stags keen to vacate the area. Heading
approximately west on Weacombe Hill, a short break
sheltered from the west wind refreshed the group. Leaving
National Trust land a further group of fifteen deer, all
stags, was spotted (see photograph). Turning northerly the
group made their way via Staple Plain to Vinny Combe, and
we had lunch on the edge of the birch copse. After lunch the ramblers skirted Beacon Hill and followed the Great Road before crossing Longstone Hill down into Lady’s Edge, Slaughterhouse and Hodders Combe. A short but steep climb up to Lower Hare Knap and down the other side into Holford Combe preceded the final leg along the stream up Holford Combe and back to the start at Crowcombe Park Gate. |
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| Sunday
2nd April. Around Brompton Ralph (photos John Ollerenshaw) |
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| Nine well
wrapped up walkers set out from a very windy Forches
Cross on the Brendon Hills hoping to avoid the blustery
showers that had affected the morning’s weather. The
view from the cross encompassed the Quantock Hills, a
large part of Taunton Deane, and the sweep of The
Blackdown Hills to the south, and this was enjoyed for a
while before the path led down the steep and slippery
slope of Combe Davey where several large uprooted trees
caused walkers to seek a diversion. One unlucky walker
unfortunately turned his ankle clambering amongst the
branches, but gamely opted to continue the walk. Walking
up out of the combe proved much easier, and on a
sheltered roadside celandines and dog’s mercury were
coming into flower. Fine views continued as the group dropped down to walk through the quiet little village of Brompton Ralph with its isolated post office store. Short of the village a family group out for a walk was encountered; mum, dad, young daughter, black Labrador dog, and big ginger tom cat ! Out from the village the first ewes with young lambs were seen enjoying the fitful sunshine. The group entered the forestry holding of Ollery wood with its big stand of Douglas Fir , and dropped down along a muddy track to cross a sparkling stream at the lowest point of the walk. A steady climb followed up an old cart track once used to take slate from the nearby quarry. A close inspection of the exposed rock on parts of the track revealed old wheel impressions. Reaching the road at Whitefield , walkers continued upwards, pausing briefly to admire an engaging group of alpacas sheltering under a tree. Despite their thick fleeces, apparently the wind was a problem. Attaining the crest of the hill, views backwards over Wiveliscombe and the Blackdown Hills, and forwards to the Brendon Hills and the distant cars were savoured. The group crossed a large field to the road and soon were enjoying terra firma for a while before the walk ended once again at Forches Cross |
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