| Sunday 29th July 2007. Dorset Coast (photos John Ollerenshaw) |
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| The group's first walk of the year with a swim option looked doomed from early weather forecasts for the weekend,but overnight rain had cleared as ten walkers made their way to Cogden Beach cp.,beyond Burton Bradstock and the skies at last were clearing. Though parts of the coast path were sticky from the effects of two of the wettest months on record,the party made good progress on their way down to the picturesque village of Burton Bradstock and then the steady climb towards Shipton Gorge. Good views of Chesil Beach to the east, and then westwards beyond Golden Cap,Beer and Sidmouth were enjoyed at a coffee break before the party descended down through soggy fields to the quiet dormitory village of Shipton Gorge. Ahead and upwards lay the domed cap of Shipton Hill, and, after a stiff climb culminating in a scramble up through bramble scrub, panting ramblers had a great panoramic view of most of western Dorset. A leisurely lunch was taken on a sunny bank viewing the way downwards ahead. Dorset C.C. had fortunately cleared several of the bridleways to be used,and good progress was made until the group reached a partly disused trout farm. Though egrets and other waders soon made themselves scarce,a swimming grass snake and thousands of active and vocal frogs made for a fascinating traverse of the ponds. The pace was slowed somewhat by a steady climb up through tracks and footpaths to Swyre,and the leader had to acknowledge that a knee injury sustained on a swiss walking holiday was giving him trouble. Fortunately the way ahead was easier downhill through muddy fields with the blue waters of the sea beckoning. Whilst some of the group chose to seek tea and ices at West Bexington nearby ,three stalwarts opted to brave the surf and deeply shelving beach for a refreshing dip. One veteran walker even had trouble remembering which foot to put his boot on when getting dressed ! A most enjoyable walk of eleven and a half miles ended with the gentle climb back to a now packed car park. | ||
| Sunday
29th July 2007. Quantocks, Cothelstone & Hawkridge (photos Bob Greenshields) |
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| Sunday
22nd July 2007. Round High Ham (photos Dave Patten) |
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| A gentle walk from High Ham down to the Levels, alongside the River Cary to Henley Corner, squelch through some mud and nettles and back via Heavens Gate. 6 miles, 2½ hours of pleasant Somerset. | ||
| Wednesday
18th July 2007. Exmouth to Budleigh (photos Bob Greenshields) |
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| Sunday 15th July 2007. 2 Counties
Way (part 6). Silverton to Poltimore (photos Roger Conway) walk stats 5¾ miles, 312ft of climb |
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| The
rain stopped as we arrived at our starting point and didn't
start again until we were all safely in the minibus and
on our way home. A well deserved bonus for the brave
eight who disregarded the weather forecast. Setting off from Silverton church we were soon in one of those famed Devon Lanes, with stone filled earth banks on both sides and all manner of hedging adorning the top. The lane eventually opened out and the path took us through the first of the fields of maize to cross the GWR at one of it's fastest spots (below left) and onto the River Clyst water meadows. A little bit of road walking to cross the river bridge was followed by a stroll through the parkland of Killerton House. The group had a brief drinks stop at the tea rooms before continuing on the tracks and paths through the NT farm (more maize) and over the M5 on a stylish footbridge (see below right). One of the horses took a liking to Jo and helped her across the field by nudging her back-pack. The downhill into Broadclyst was through meadows with sheep & goats and weather beaten corn to emerge from a lovely wood by the side of the pub, which unfortunately was shut (above right). On through the church yard and the past the cottages to re-cross the Clyst and more meadows (below centre) to the service bridge back over the M5 and the final green path into the small village of Poltimore where Linda and the bus were waiting by the church (right). |
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| Friday 13th July 2007. Sampford
Peverell (photos Roger Conway) walk stats 2¾ miles 99ft of climb |
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| If those doom mongers were ever choosing weather for Friday the 13th, then this time they got it absolutely right! As the group of 17 assembled in the car park the 'rain in the air' became so real as to suggest to the leader that perhaps a short stroll along the canal and back was enough exercise on this particular evening. Even so, it was more than 5 of the party were prepared to undertake and they immediately dashed off to the pub to await our return. The hardy (or the foolish!) set off along the canal tow path to Rock Bridge and back. In the conditions it was at a pretty brisk pace and it wasn't too long before we were all in The Globe and enjoying our dinner. | ||
| Sunday 1st July 2007. Dartmoor,
North from Ivybridge (photos Joan Gubbin) |
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| When the walks programme is compiled, July is usually a good bet for fine weather on Dartmoor and 12 Taunton Deane Ramblers obviously thought the wet weather jinx might be broken this weekend. In the event there were one or two showers - enough to put on waterproofs - but on the whole the day was reasonably dry and often sunny. The walk started with a climb over Sharpley Moor to the Tor followed by Hookney Tor and then down to the amazing Bronze Age circle that is Grimspound with its 24 hut circles. This was followed by a further climb to Hameldown Tor with a diversion to the remains of the Cross before passing Barrows Broad, Single and Double. Descending to the road near Challacombe the group passed a couple of Dartmoor mares and their tiny foals before turning to walk along the river to the ruins of the medieval village. The first of the showers kept the group moving past the remains of the tin mines worked as recently as 1930 to Headland Warren Farm. The owner had recently died and clearance workers told the group that the farm complex had recently sold for over a million despite there being no electricity. Just past the farm, with the rain over, a pleasant lunch stop overlooking the valley had everyone agreeing that it was certainly a millionaire's paradise! Climbing past Headland Warren, one of several rabbit warrens in the area, to the road the group ignored the Warren House Inn searching instead for the mysterious V stones. Despite having a grid reference they proved elusive and remain to be discovered another day. Crossing the open moor past Water Hill the route dropped down to Fernworthy Reservoir passing the dam which looked like a waterfall after all the recent rain. To return to the cars the route was along the Mariners Way - supposedly the path taken by sailors from Bideford to Dartmouth - passing a series of tiny hamlets with their houses and farms, some in excellent condition but one a veritable scrapyard of old machinery, cars and junk which was a sad sight in one of our National Parks. (The cream tea at Bovey Castle cost £12.50 so we hastily left but we got lucky at the White Hart Moretonhampstead where we were offered free scones, jam and cream left over by a group on a Saga walking holiday! John L got lucky as he had offered to pay and it only cost him £4 for the pots of tea!) | ||
| Sunday
1st July 2007. Dartmoor, North from Ivybridge (photos Joan Gubbin) |
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| Despite the forecast of thundery rain showers seven TDRA ramblers assembled in the Ivybridge Park and Ride for a walk on the southern slopes of Dartmoor. A brief shower as they set off was followed by sunshine so macs came off as they climbed up Ugborough Beacon. The route crossed the start of the old Redlake tramway constructed in 1911 to bring clay from the Redlake workings and then went over Lud Brook which had swelled considerably since the walk was checked a couple of weeks earlier. At the top of the Beacon there was sufficient shelter from a strong wind to take a break in the lea of the rocks and then, taking a compass bearing across the moor the group made for Spurrell's Cross marking the intersection of moorland paths and encountered the only real shower of the day. Crossing the tramway again the way followed a line of boundary markers including the oddly named Hobajon's Cross up to Sharp Tor. The wind kept the clouds moving and there were severall sunny spells while the group had lunch. Dropping down to Harford Moor Gate to leave the moor the walkers followed Butter Brook to the small hamlet of Harford with its church and then took the path along the valley of the river Erme through fields and then woods. The turbulent river water was the colour of strong tea as it crashed over rocks bringing moorland peat with it after the heavy rains. A speedy dash for Ashburton found the Green Ginger tearooms still open for a welcome cup of tea and cake before returning home. Pics show some of group on Sharp Tor and the River Erme | ||
| Sunday
1st July 2007. 2 Counties Way (part 5). Bickleigh to
Silverton (photos Roger Conway & Anne Currie) walk stats 4½ miles, 910ft of climb |
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| The toughest leg by far, with over 900ft of climb in just 4½ miles. Starting in one of those 'short sharp showers' we passed through the hamlet of Bickleigh (right) and on to our first hill, but the climb was worth it to get those views across the Exe Valley. Dropping down to the road only to go up again, but with the views just getting better and better, especially at the top of the third climb (below left) before the final descent into Silverton (below middle) with it's prize winning pie shop (below right). The leader's recommendation of finishing at The Lamb Inn was welcomed by the thirsty (that was all of them!) and the sun also 'came out to play' as we walked into the Village. |
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