jul06rep

Sunday 30th July 2006. Dorset Coast (photos John Ollerenshaw)
A pleasant drop in temperature and cooler breeze tempted a baker's dozen of walkers down to coastal Dorset for the group's long walk at the end of July. Assembling at the Langdon Hill car park, now renamed Golden Cap, the party had to negotiate a busy road crossing and brief roadside walk before crossing fields to reach the quiet village of North Chideock where a welcoming church sign led to a brief detour. A long climb up a leafy,but slightly muddy cart track lay ahead,and a welcome breather was had at the top where a ridgeway path crossed. It was easy to speculate in a quiet moment how cart travel had some compensations over car travel on the busy A35 nearby! Descending to Symondsbury , some were tempted briefly by local enterprise as various wayside stalls vied for attention. Unfortunately most rucksacks were full already. Recrossing the A35, the party had a number of descents and steep climbs ahead, and an overgrown path proved a bit of a stuggle on Eype Down. The open down now lay ahead and welcome views of the sea with its pleasant breeze were enjoyed on the meandering route to the coast. After a long period of relative calm,the sea was in a frisky mood, and deterred several hopeful swimmers but not the hardy stalwarts who did have a little trouble getting out on the steep shelving shingle! (see above left) After a lazy lunch, a few clifftop climbs lay ahead culminating in spectacular views towards Portland Bill and to Golden Cap ahead. John L found enjoying the view from a recumbent position much to his liking (see above right). Seatown lay ahead with its loos and ice creams,the latter soon melting in the hot sun. The last lap was the climb up to Langdon Hill, eased somewhat by the unfolding views and welcome bench. Some went on to climb Golden Cap, but the majority had had enough of hills and decided on return to repair to the tea garden in Charmouth, a fine way to end an enjoyable walk.

Friday 28th July 2006 Enmore to Spaxton (photos Roger Conway) walk stats 4.6 miles 360ft of climb
Signing in and supper orders completed (and telephoned to the pub!) the 25 walkers set off from Spaxton Church, past Enmore Castle, a Victorian Mock Castle manor house, and through to Barford House & Park where we admired the saddlestoned store (see photo right). Into the fields to reach the edge of Spaxton where we took in some of the village before starting our return along the lanes that service the fruit farms and where we saw the 'guest' workers tents and caravans. Through picturesque Pightley (above left) to retrace our steps back to Enmore with the Dutch Gabled Farmhouse (above right) all bright in the evening sunlight.

Sunday 23rd July 2006. Dartmoor North West Edge (photos Ken Burgess)
After the recent spell of exceptional hot, dry weather members were concerned when on the journey to Dartmoor several rain showers occurred. However, the weather cleared for the actual walk and thankfully conditions were not as hot as they have been lately. Leaving the car park to walk above the reservoir the first thing of note was the very low level of the water. The top end of the reservoir was barren and the usual island was joined to the bank by a causeway some two or three feet above the water. The initial ascent was to Shelstone Tor and Branscombe Loaf from where the view up the West Okement Valley reminded walkers of the last visit to Dartmoor. Yes Tor, High Wilhays Forseland Lodge and Black Tor all being clearly visible across the valley. After stopping briefly to admire the view the walk continued up the open moorland through long grass rather than on footpaths to the ridge and a rather indistinct path which led across very mossy ground where care was required to Stenga and Kitty Tors. From here the path improved to follow the former route of the railway which served the Rattlebrook Peat Workings for some distance before rejoining the open access land on rather narrow paths to the top of Great Links Tor to enjoy views across the Devon Countryside to Bodmin Moor and Cornwall. Next on the Agenda were Lower and Higher Dunne Goat with views across to the remains of Bleak House. A mix of grassland and narrow pathsgoing south basically parallel to the Rattle Brook led walkers to a lunch stop on a scarp overlooking Tavy Cleave. Another short section of pathless open moorland was crossed to reach the distinct Hare Tor from the top of which the paths to Sharp and Brat (or Bray) Tor were clearly distinguishable. From here the River Tamar and the railway bridge near Gunnislake were clearly visible. The thirteen feet high granite-block-cross on Brat Tor was erected by the artist William Widgery in 1887 to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee. The next obstacle was the ford to cross the infant River Lyd before rejoining the former railway passing Great Nodden and the former ice works at Sourton Tors before descending back to Meldon, the welcoming car park and an uneventful trip back to Taunton

Sunday 23rd July 2006. Around Crowcombe (photos Roger Conway) walk stats:- 5.70 miles, 1004ft of climb
On a hot summers afternoon the 14 members set off past the pub (more of that later!) and took a westerly route under the by-pass to loop back to the village via Lawford. Then straight up the hill to gain the top of the Quantocks a little north of Crowcombe Park Gate with exceptional views towards Exmoor. Passing CPG we followed the Macmillan Way to Triscombe Combe and a swift descent towards the hamlet. A little way above Triscombe we turned off and took the path to Little Quantock Farm and then across the field back to Crowcombe where we discovered that there was a music and beer festival happening at the pub. We arrive just as the landlord was reducing the price of the real ale to £1.50 a pint. Two senior members felt the need to imbibe at such generous rates.

Friday 21st July 2006 Around Hillfarrance (photos Roger Conway) walk stats 4.3 miles 199ft of climb
A flat and gentle walk on a hot Friday Evening that took in calf herding and train spotting as well as the delights of harvest ready crops. Supper was taken al fresco.

Sunday 9th July 2006. Ottervale
The village of Newton Poppleford in East Devon was the starting point for a group of 15 Tauntondeane ramblers and a guidedog called 'Eric',who set off in fine July weather for the beautiful hillsides of the river Otter.After an easy descent into the valley the group then tackled a long hot ascent along a deep sunken path to reach the top of Muttersmoor,which was the major climb of the day.The scenery and views along the ridge approaching Peak Hill were quite breathtaking and the welcome cool breezes on the highground were very much appreciated. An early lunch stop taken on the beach at Ladram Bay resulted in two hardy members taking the plunge in what was considered to be a very choppy and coffee coloured water. Well refreshed the group continued along the clifftop path,enjoying wonderful views along the coast in both directions, to the mouth of the riverOtter overlooking the tranquil town of Budleigh Salterton.The last section of the walk was thankfully very flat,following the banks of the river northwards,as the temperature began to rise,in the early afternoon. The river was at its Summer best.languid and gentle,with over hanging trees and fullgrowth vegetation.Eric the dog was seen disappearing towards the water on numerous occasions, but non of the walkers was brave enough to venture beyond the waters edge.All walkers and Eric arrived back at the start,hot tired and happy having enjoyed a wonderful midsummers route along one of Devon's prettiest rivers.

Sunday 9th July 2006. Around Dalwood (photos Roger Conway) walk stats:- 5.25 miles, 919ft of climb
Up and over x 2 was the warning from our leader and she was not wrong. On a very hot afternoon we set off from Dalwood over Danes Hill (see photo above left) into the Yarty Vally, where we followed the River Yarty upstream (see photo above right)to Waterhouse Farm. We took our drinks break by the ford after some member got wet feet avoiding the footbridge. We returned over Beacon Hill; well named for the special views and, after passing the cottage with this lovely sign (see photo right);back to our start point along the River Cory.

Friday 7th July 2006 From Taunton Police Stn. (photos Roger Conway) walk stats 4.3 miles 199ft of climb
A summer that just goes on and on, what better Friday evening could there be than to take a gentle stroll from the town, south to Trull and back again and then to have refreshments in the cells of Taunton police station.

Wednesday 5th July 2006 Stonegallows (photos Roger Conway) walk stats 4.20 miles 602ft of climb.
The leader was pleasantly surprised that as many as a dozen turned up for this walk as the weather forecast had been more than off putting, thunder storms, hail and local flooding. Earthquakes were not mentioned, but with a forecast as doom laden as this, one could never be sure what might happen. Deeming it prudent not to ignore the threat of such inclement weather, the leader decided not to go ahead with the scheduled walk, which was to Bradford-on-Toneand back, but to do a shorter circular walk around Stonegallows House so that if the weather did suddenly turn foul it would not take too long to return to base. It was spotting with rain as we set off, the sky was leaden and the air very humid. No one was very optimistic that we would manage to avoid a good drenching. But we did. The route was easy, going via Comeytrowe, Rumwell, Hele and returning to Stonegallows House. Somewhat shorter than the average Wednesday afternoon ramble, but in such humid conditions just about right. Everyone enjoyed the walk, glad that they had braved the threat of thunder storms and had not yielded to temptation and stayed at home to watch the tennis at Wimbledon. On return, it was still dry and certainly warm enough to sit outside and enjoy the view together with tea and homemade cakes courtesy of the leader’s wife and her very good friend Joan. On behalf of myself and the walkers I would like to thank you both very much for playing the perfect hosts. A very pleasant end to what, rather surprisingly, turned out to be a very enjoyable walk.

Sunday 2nd July 2006. Carhampton to Dunster (photos Roger Conway) walk stats:- 5.0 miles, 510ft of climb
On the hottest day of the year our merry band gathered in the car park whilst the sounds of the local music festival were all around, including a sparkling display by a toupe of dancers from Romania. The decision was taken to follow the short route and we quickly moved up the hill into Dunster Old Deer Park and down the paths to Gallox Bridge and Dunster itself, looking an absolute picture with the pretty gardens all in bloom. An ice cream stop was taken in the Yarn Market before we commenced the homeward leg over the Conyars Hill, through Marsh Street and over the railway to reach Dunster beach (and that oh so pleasant breeze). The tide being out gave us oodles of sand and shingle to walk on before recrossing the railway and taking to the fields to get back to the starting point.

Reports from July 2006 updated 31st July 2006