| Sunday 29th February. Hill Forts from Nether Stowey (photos Roger Conway & Dave Orr). |
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| Walk Stats:- 5miles, Climbs 922ft | The Snowmen greet the walkers on the way up to Dowsborough. |
Bin Combe ^ |
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| On a
most gloriously sunny Leap Year’s day morning, with
the remains of the overnight frost in the air, 28 members
(none admitting to being single men!) set off from the
ancient ‘lock-up’ in Nether Stowey along Castle
St, to skirt around the north flank of the Castle Mount
and across a steep field to emerge into Hack Lane, before
turning into Hob Lane. What thought evoking names they
give the roads around here! Back into the fields to climb
to Walford’s Gibbett, the site where, in the 18th
century, the remains of James Walford were displayed as a
warning against matricide. A little bit of road work
before turning into the woods for the final climb to
Dowsborough Castle, an ancient iron age hill fort, with
absolutely stunning views across the Bristol Channel. (see
photo above) The return route was through one of the lesser know combes, Bin Combe, with the sunlight twinkling through the trees and glistened on the snow that remained on the north facing slopes. Just as we were entering the combe a large herd, over 70 animals, of deer crossed in front of us As we re-entered Nether Stowey we took in the earth works of Stowey Castle before finishing the walk at the car park. 18 members then moved the short distance to Stella’s Tea Rooms for a delicious lunch of home made pies, lasagne, mornay and the intriguingly named ‘National Trust Pie’ not to mention all those naughty puds. |
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| Wednesday 25th February Alfoxton,
Smith's Combe & Sheppard's Combe Walk Stats:- 5.5miles, Climbs 964ft |
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| The sun was shining intermittently through the clouds; visibility was very good with just a light breeze blowing across Holford Bowling Green. Twenty ramblers with three dogs congregated in the car park straining at the leash to start, (although the three dogs were quite content to sit quietly). The leader described the highlights of the walk mentioning Holford church, St Mary The Virgin, which dated from the 13th century and the Stray Dog Pound built by Lord St Albyns of Alfoxton. He told the group about Alfoxton House where in 1797 the poet Wordsworth and his sister Dorothy stayed and walked in the Quantocks with their friend Coleridge and how, because of the local people's suspicions, they were classified as "a set of violent democrats." Suitably informed, our intrepid ramblers left Holford Bowling Green via the lane, past the Stray Dog Pound, on to Alfoxton House (now a hotel) and through the grounds. The walk followed the Greenway running parallel to the coast and this afforded an excellent view of the Bristol Channel with Steep and Flat Holms in the foreground. Eventually Smith's Combe was reached and our gallant band started the ascent gamely battling away until they reached the Quantock ridge. The party stopped just below the ridge for refreshment and, when suitably fortified, continued the walk along the Quantock ridge reaching a height of 935 ft, past Beacon Hill, crossing the Great Road (the drovers track from Watchet to Holford), and eventually arriving at Bicknoller Post. Again there was an excellent view of the channel from the ridge and the Promised Land (Wales) could be clearly seen with the rarity of sunshine lighting up the hills (perhaps a portent for the return of the Celtic royal lineage of Owain Glyndwr). At this point the walk turned downhill into Sheppard's Combe following the stream to the wood at Lady's Edge. Along the way eight deer were seen peering down into the combe from the skyline wondering who was trespassing on their territory; but then, finally deciding we were undesirables, they faded away. Our rambling group progressed from Lady's Edge and into Hodder's Combe again following the stream and enjoying the ambiance here and its perfect balance with nature. The group continued down the combe until Holford Bowling Green was reached and our exhausted ramblers repaired to Stella's Tea Room where copious amounts of cream cakes and gallons of hot tea were consumed. | ||
| Wednesday 18th February, Dunkeswell | ||
| 21 walkers started from the Royal Oak, Dunkeswell dropping down into the village before a short ascent towards the Abbey. Taking a kissing gate on to a path with a steeply wooded bank, at one time home to badgers, the group came out into a field on the Blackdown hills. The way continued via Hutshayes and the ruins of Old Park Farms before entering woodland and going down a very steep track – a bit of a scramble here – to the Madford River valley. Crossing the river by footbridge and then over the hill to drop down to the river valley again. After pleasant level stretch through woodland, the southern end of the village was entered via Cox’s Hill with a final ascent back to the pub. | ||
| Sunday 15th February. Around Otterhead Lakes (photos Dave Orr) |
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| On a soft and misty afternoon, the day after Valentine's Day, thirty-one Taunton Deane Ramblers met at the Otterhead nature reserve on the Blackdown hills, for a four-mile snowdrop walk. Setting off down the path towards the upper lake, the group passed white carpets of snowdrops in the bare winter woods, with the occasional daffodil just beginning to open. Pausing at the bridge and weir, the group viewed the grassy terraces where once a fine mid-19th century manor house stood, the centrepiece of the Otterhead Estate. The stable block remains and also the ruins of the walled garden were passed on the way down. Following the nature trail beside the bubbling infant river Otter, the walkers passed the lower lake, before walking back through the woods to come out by the old stable block. Turning south-west, the walkers crossed open farmland, with fine misty views across the rolling Blackdown hills ahead of them. Continuing across the fields, the group turned up a lane leading into the pretty village of Churchinford. On leaving Churchinford, the ramblers walked beside the country road for a short while, before crossing farmland to pass close by the woods that surround the upper lake at Otterhead. A brief lane walk took the walkers to the short path above the delightful little church at Otterford. After passing through the churchyard, a brief stroll up the lane led the group back to the Otterhead car park. Half the group returned to Churchinford for a buffet tea at The York Inn, with teacakes, scones, cream and jam washed down by many welcome cups of tea. The drive back to Taunton was marked by a lovely sunset bathing the misty countryside in warm colours. Spring is just around the corner... | ||
| Sunday 15th February. The Blackdowns out from Uffculme | ||
| On a misty Sunday morning 19 Taunton Deane Ramblers started from the 18th century Coldharbour Mill, with its working wool museum, and wound their way up to the western end of the Blackdowns, via Gaddon Down to Yew Wood Cross for misty views towards Uffculme. The dilapidated Hackpen Mill was reached via Birchen Tree Cross and Ashill, and then over the footbridge, where snowdrops and daffodils cheered everyone up, and on to Hackpen Hill for lunch and rather better views. Skirting the boggy wood with a few deer leaping ahead of us, the group made for Culmstock, birthplace of Lorna Doone's R.D. Blackmore who, when young, was also fascinated with the yew tree growing out of the church tower. The walk ended along the River Culm (sadly no sightings of kingfishers, dippers or egrets this time) and part of the dismantled Culm Valley Light Railway, via a new wood, Five Fords, and Uffculme to Coldharbour, where they had kindly kept the café open for a welcome cup of tea. | ||
| Wednesday
4th February Trull and around (photo
Roger Conway) Walk Stats:- 4.9miles, Climbs 228ft |
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< early signs of spring? |
| A sunny morning and a dry afternoon tempted 24 members out on a route around the village of Trull. Starting from the village centre we skirted around Cotlake Hill and the edge of Poundisford Pale (Test question for you:- Where does the term "beyond the Pale" come from?), crossing the Honiton Road the group worked their way through to Daws Green and back to Trull via Dipford and Staplehay. The rain did not start until we were safely back to the car park. | ||
