| Friday 26th August 2006. Out from Bishops Hull | ||
| After a horrendous week of rain for once the forecasters were right and Friday evening improved giving 22 walkers optimism, clear but threatening skies and surprisingly good conditions underfoot. The eager party, led by Jan and Phil, left Bishops Hull walking along the ridge and then dropping down to Lower Upcott, through Hele, across open fields and over a small brook into Rumwell. Over the main A38 the party climbed alongside the Rumwell Hotel. Keeping up a brisk pace to beat the dark; time was of the essence. Some of the finest 360° views in the district were enjoyed from Comeytrowe Farm where there were some frisky young foals. After a short refreshment break the group began a persistent climb to Stonegallows - where again views back over Taunton were much enjoyed. The last incline to Stonegallows and the long gentle fall back to base were negotiated with all in good spirits and state of repair. Dusk, and the excellent meals at The Old Inn, Bishops Hull beckoned.Congratulations to all the farmers, and Taunton Deane, for keeping the paths and stiles on this walk in excellent condition promoting a thoroughly enjoyable walk in the countryside | ||
Wednesday 23rd Aug 2006. Collard Hill, Hood Monument & Combe Hill. |
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| After braving pouring rain, thunder and lightening 9 people and a dog foolishly took advantage of a brief lull in the weather to commence the walk. By the time we had arrived at the Hood Monument the heavens had opened but we proceeded to go bravely onward. Eventually the weather persuaded us to use an escape route causing us to miss perhaps the most interesting part of the walk. The rain did easy off during the last half hour. All got back safely. The first walk had snow and a muddy slippery slide of a lane. This second version had pouring rain but missed the slippery slide of mud but had to be curtailed. We are determined that this walk will eventually be walked in its full glory so next summer we will try it again and hope that it is third time lucky. | ||
| Sunday
20th August 2006. Western Dartmoor (photos Ken Burgess) |
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| Leaving Mary Tavy walkers followed the Chalwell Brook across farmland to Kingsett then continued in a northerly direction to Wheal Betsy. The remains of the pumping house have been restored by The National Trust and are preserved as a memorial to the Mineworkers of Dartmoor. From here the route was across open moorland passing near to Wheal Jewel on the way to the hamlet of Will. From here farm tracks led to a coffee stop at the footbridge over the River Tavy and a short section alongside the river. Re-entering open moorland walkers continued to Bagga Tor pausing at the top to enjoy the open views before continuing to the ridge near Lynch Tor for lunch. White Barrow was the next point on the route then a path passing a standing stone gave access to the top of White Tor from where Plymouth was clearly visible in the distance. Also visible were Hare, Sharp and Brat Tors, which had been climbed on the previous trip to Dartmoor. The descent to Wedlake took walkers past Stephens Grave a memorial to a Dartmoor farmer who committed suicide after being jilted by his lover. The route through Lower and Higher Godsworthy led to the more waterfalls when Colly Brook was crossed. Further tracks led to the picturesque villages of Peter and Mary Tavy for a return to Taunton. | ||
| Sunday
20th August 2006. Blackdown Vale (photos Bob Greenshields) walk stats 5.75 miles 657ft of climb |
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| Visiting the Blackdowns is a journey back in time, with quiet valleys, small fields, thriving hedgerows (the little piggies in the group took advantage of the early crop of blackberries), and panoramas with no visible power lines. Our walk took us south from the Monument down through the fields to Culm Pyne Barton to then work our way back up through Goodall's with the free range hens (see photo right) and Culm Davy Plantation to Blackdown Common before returning to our starting point via the radio mast (above right) and the Wellington Monument (above left) |
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Friday 18th August 2006 Hillfarrance, Heathfield & Oake (photos Roger Conway) walk stats 4.5 miles 198ft of climb |
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| A day of thunderstorms and heavy rain gave way to a bright and sunny evening and the 17 members who 'took a chance' were rewarded with a walk through some of the best countryside in the Taunton Vale. With the crunchy stubble of the freshly harvested wheat fields, the former trackbed of the North Devon Branch of the GWR (see above left), recently 'muck spread' fields, cows and sheep grazing and ingenious electric fencing (see above right), not to mention a cottage with a posting box in the wall (see right) and an empty golf course (well it was getting dark by the time we got there). All 17 stayed on for supper at the Anchor Inn |
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| Sunday
13th August 2006. In the footsteps of Raleigh (photos John Ollerenshaw) |
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| Eleven walkers made their way to the busy little village of East Budleigh, close to the birthplace of famous traveller Sir Walter Raleigh. With church bells ringing in their ears the group set off westwards to climb the hill on to the large expanse of East Budleigh Common, a rolling heathland with mixed woodland heather and bracken. The weather forecast; perhaps daunting to some, again proved unreliable, as the day brightened, and hot sunny spells encouraged most to strip off warmer clothes. The Common is a veritable maze for the unwary walker with many paths and tracks criss-crossing at random, so it was with some relief that the leader first glanced the waters of Squabmoor Reservoir with its noisy flock of Canada geese. Here a coffee stop was enjoyed while the geese performed a number of spectaculat aerial and water antics. Pushing on southwards to the edge of the common, it was noticed how certain plants were suffering because of the long dry conditions,nevetheless. Some early blackberries were enjoyed en route! The way crossed a number of busy roads before bissecting Budleigh golf course with its immaculate greens. Cresting West Down Beacon to join the Coast Path, the party stopped to enjoy the fine coastal views. Descending to Buddleigh Salterton, a twelth member joined the group for a leisurely swim and lunch on the beach. The sea, despite the recent windy conditions, was remarkably placid though a shade cooler than the previous dip in July. Refreshed, some by a welcome ice cream, the party set off along the promenade towards the Otter estuary. An extensive mass of hottentot fig had colonised the sandy cliff face here, and still had some bright pink and yellow flowers in bloom. The river footpath was busy, so the group welcomed the opportunity to stop and bird and fish watch, and was rewarded by the sight of several little egrets,and grey mullet in the river. Leaving the river at Otterton,the group pushed on to the partly ruined church at Bicton, and then on to East Budleigh. The new statue of Raleigh was admired as was his fine portrait in the parish church. While some travelled back to Taunton, some revisited a popular tea stop outside Newton Poppleford to recharge batteries. | ||
Wednesday 2nd Aug 2006 Vellow & the Railway (photos Roger Conway) walk stats 4.2 miles 425ft of ascent |
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| 15 members and 5 visitors holidaying at Halsway Manor set off from Vellow pottery on the road towards Stogumber. A brief pause was taken to look at the old lime kiln before a sharp climb through the wood to the top of Higher Vellow Hill and the wonderful views towards the Quantocks, which stayed with us all the way across the 'top' until we joined the track down to Stogumber Village. However we didn't actually reach the village as we 'by-passed' on the east side footpath that also took us straight across the cricket field looking absolutely perfect and conplete with the groundsman rolling the wicket. Back to fields to emerge onto the road near Water Farm and then up the bank towards the railway just as the late afternoon Schools Class loco was passing (see above left). Along to Stogumber Station where a few members took the opportunity to take photos of this very pretty location. After following the track to Kingswood where there was an excellent example of access archwork (see above right) the path took us through the garden of Cheddermarsh Cottages and up to Turks Castle ancient hill fort and then the final leg through Curdon Mill back to Vellow | ||
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