| Fri.
December 31st Langport & The Aller Ridge (photos Dave & Brenda Orr) Walk Stats:- 5.8 miles, climbs 415ft |
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| On a sunny New Year's Eve morning 14 Ramblers assembled in the car park in Langport for a walk across the Levels and up Aller Ridge. The first field was wet in places but once the bank of the River Parrett had been reached the ground was reasonably dry underfoot. Three trains in quick succession passed over the iron bridge as the walkers negotiated gates and stiles along to Monk's Leaze Clyse and shortly afterwards the way led across the River Sowy and through fields to Aller Church. With the sun at our backs there were splendid views over the Levels as far as Burrow Mump. Passing through Aller, the one short hill up to the ridge was a test as to how fit everyone was after the festive season. Here the views in both directions - over to the Mendips and across to the Quantocks and Blackdowns - were more extensive but photography was difficult with the low winter sun. Wending their way along patchy hedgerows the walkers came to a steep descent which was surprisingly dry underfoot. Crossing the busy road to Combe the final stroll passed through old orchards, crossing rhynes and along the droves and disturbing the odd heron and swan, to re-emerge at the railway bridge. Changing out of muddy boots, the group made for The Old Custom House Inn with its choice of local ales, for a convivial lunch of home-made soup and sandwiches. | ||
| Wed.
December 29th Kingston St Mary, Nailsbourne & Yarford (photos Roger Conway) Walk Stats:- 5.5 miles, climbs 299ft |
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| Those that gambled with the weather were rewarded with a dry walk, through the lush, if muddy, pasture land below the Quantocks. The group of 25 members left Kingston via the church yard, pased the pub and quickly onto farm land through to Nailsbourne. To avoid the Elephant Grass a slight diversion was followed, but the true route was soon regained and open views continued throughout the walk. A little road work up through Pinkney before returning to the fields to Yarford. Up the hill to the Reservoir before returning to Kingston via the Tetton Estate and Greenway. | ||
| Tue. December 28th - Trull & Galmington | ||
| The weather was fine for the Fifteen
walkers who turned out. The ground was very muddy in
places and one lady had turned up in shoes which although
suitable for walking in good weather did not offer much
protection against mud and water but she was not deterred
and completed the walk quite happily. It was not the
best of starts for new walkers, as within half a mile of
setting out we came across a tree which had blown down
across the footpath, completely blocking our way. However,
as the tree had landed on the fence were just able to
scramble under the branches, almost on our hands and
knees before continuing on our way towards the outskirts
of Trull village. Moving on towards Dipford it
became necessary for those not wearing |
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| Sunday December 26th Out From Taunton (West) | ||
| A smattering of snow in the early morning gave way to a crisp, sunny day as 13 members, one newcomer and one dog gathered at Priory Bridge Car Park for a 5.5mile walk on Boxing Day. The group began the walk at a brisk pace to get the circulation going by following the beginning of the circular 45m West Deane Way, walking alongside the River Tone to French Weir and thence out to the Silk Mills Road. The normally congested road was crossed with ease. Leaving the Tone the route followed the Halse Water across fields to the edge of Norton Fitzwarren. From here we parted company with the W D Way. Crossing the footbridge over the railway we stopped to look down at the rather forlorn sight of the empty yards and buildings of the former Taunton Cider Company, once a mainstay of employment in Taunton's history. Continuing through the village we passed through the churchyard and gazed up at the tower with its gargoyles and hunkypunks (the latter being the Somerset name for ones without water spouts). The next stage was N Fitzwarren's ancient hill fort where we stopped for a brief refreshment break. From there we descended to the main A358 and crossed over to Langford Lane. After a pleasant stroll along the lane we turned off at Lower Burlands which in turn led to the moderate climb of Rag Hill, the summit of which afforded an attractive view of the surrounding countryside bathed in a pale pink sunset. Everyone remarked how fortunate we were with the weather. After emerging at Staplegrove we gradually made our way back to the town centre via urban footpaths and paused briefly at Flook House to admire the Christmas tree with its decorations of ribbons in regimental colours to remind us of those serving in far flung places. We returned to the carpark after crossing the Tone once more at Firepool. As the walk had taken the best part of 3hrs we were pleasantly surprised that the light had remained so good. | ||
| Friday
December 24th Dinnington walk & Carol Service (3.6 miles, 200ft of climb) (photos Roger Conway) |
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| The 4 members who ignored the overnight rains, plus a Breton guest, were rewarded with a lovely walk in dry, and some of the time, sunny, weather (alright then, it did start to rain during the last half mile, but that was all!). The lush fields set on the Jurassic sub-strata produced a bag full of amonites and we also had time to imagine ourselves 2000 years back in time as we 'marched' down the Fosseway. As we returned to the pub for the annual Carol Service another member joined us for this very special occasion for the local community. | ||
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| Sunday December 19th The Blackdowns around Yacombe | ||
| An early morning sighting of the snow
clad heights of the Blackdown Hills caused the
prospective walk leader to consider returning to bed and
abandoning the proposed group walk from Yarcombe. However,
the morning quickly improved and by the time eight of the
more adventurous members had slithered their way across
the icy ridge, dropped down on to the southern slopes and
assembled, the weather was looking exceedingly promising
and in the end the day proved to be one of perfection,
still and cloudless with bright sunshine and lovely, far-reaching
wintry views On the Blackdowns in winter, muddy conditions are to be expected and in this the group were certainly not disappointed. In the valleys, melt runoff, surface water and black mud resulted in very sticky going but under the bright sun all glistened and shimmered and even the mud had its own charm. On the hills, the snow still lay crisp and crunchy and proved of the perfect consistency for snowball making. The group walked southwards, looping
around Godworthy and Furley before heading west towards
Stockland where a break was taken in the pretty
churchyard. The afternoon meant a steady climb back up
the slopes to |
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| Sunday
December 19th Orchards, Osiers & cider (photos Dave Patten) |
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| Rambling with Miss Moppet is not all mud and brambles: witness the swinging on Burrow Hill shown here. For such a low eminence this hill of barely 100ft above the levels has a commanding 360º view. Sunday's 6 mile walk from Kingsbury Episcopi on a gloriously cold and clear afternoon revealed views of 40 miles around: from the snow on the Blackdowns to distant Longleat. Pity only five selected walkers saw it. (Patrick looks delighted to reach the top) | ||
| Friday
December 17th Pre-Christmas dinner, North Newton (photos Roger Conway) |
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| 39 members attended and enjoyed a lovely Christmas meal together. No speeches, no formality, just conviviality and warm friendship - excellent. A special thanks to Babs for all the organisation. | ||
| Sunday December 12th Exe Valley Way | ||
| 19 Ramblers left Bampton car park on Sunday 12 December on an overcast but dry day. Setting off down the Exe Valley Way which, whilst staying somewhat away from the river itself, was easy walking along pleasant and traffic free country lanes. Crossing the river at Halfpenny Bridge and then continuing down the valley, the disused Holmingham Quarry was passed before dropping down to cross to the eastern side of the river at Iron Bridge. A short walk down the busy A396 led to the start of a steeply rising “green lane” where a fox was spotted leaving the surrounding wooded area. This path then continued to rise steadily up towards Strawberry Close Plantation where a lunch stop was taken within the shelter of the trees. Descending through Crab Tree Plantation, and after a short steep climb to Cove Village the group deviated slightly along a lane past Cove House to rejoin the way marked path to Cove Down Farm. A short level walk through open fields led to a gradual climb up the pretty wooded hillside to Shute Farm where early lambs could be seen playing in the fields. From this high point it was an easy walk along the top to Three Corners Farm where the path dropped slowly down through open land, back into Bampton itself. The walk was completed in very good time and the afternoon was rounded off with mince pies in the car park and a very welcome cup of tea and cakes at the café in the village centre. | ||
| Wed.
December 8th North Curry (photos Roger Conway) Walk Stats:- 5.8 miles, climbs 257ft |
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Hot-tub? |
Snowberries |
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| Twenty Taunton Deane Ramblers assembled in the Square in North Curry for an afternoon's walk over the Levels. Taking the first footpath off Moor Lane towards Knapp the group tackled a series of stiles which the small dogs took in their stride but over which the large alsation had to submit to the indignity of being carried. At the road the way turned down to Hay Moor and picked up the easy trail along the river Tone. The grey mist meant views were limited though the church tower at East Lyng was visible on the horizon. At the sluice gates on Curry Moor the walkers re-grouped and crossed the road heading towards Stoke St Gregory. The sight of a digger scooping up mud from the bottom of the river only to let it drop back in again with a might splash prompted some speculation as to the object of the exercise but the engineer in the group assured everyone that by disturbing the mud in this way it was more likely to be carried downstream by the river... Turning to climb the ridge up to Meare Green the walkers noted the different colour withies - black and green - planted in ordered rows with an interesting board nearby describing the life cycle of the willow. The tea room at the Willows and Wetland Centre were offering tea and mince pies in exchange for a donation to the hospice and this seemed an offer too good to miss! In record time 20 teas were produced and 20 home-made mincepies consumed and the walk leader was suitably appreciative as she had not warned the staff of their arrival. Refreshed, the walk back along the ridge was uneventful and as the Cathedral of the Moors came into view the floodlighting was already on, reminding us how short the afternoons are in December. | ||
| Wed.
December 1st Pitminster, Blagdon Hill & Angersleigh (photos Roger Conway) Walk Stats:- 4.6 miles, climbs 404ft |
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| The first Wednesday in
December saw 29 Ramblers gather in Sellicks Green for a 4
½ mile afternoon walk. The weather was cloudy and
the haze made distant views disappointing but It was dry
with little wind, making for good walking conditions.
Crossing fields to Pitminster and passing the church with
its fine new East window the group moved on via Higher
Woodram, Curdleigh Lane and Blagdon Hill to Angersleigh
and finally over more fields to return to the starting
point. Although there were a few muddy patches,
conditions were far better than are often found on the
foothills of the Blackdowns in winter. It was also
pleasing to notice that improvements had been made to
some of the stiles and there were no problems with over
hanging vegetation as had been the case earlier in the
year. Towards the end of the walk two roe deer were
seen scurrying away across the fields in front. |
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Amonite hunting
