| Wed. 29th June. Crowcombe Park, Rams Combe & Little Quantock Combe | ||
| Crowcombe village was bathed in sunshine with an occasional wisp of cloud sailing across an azure blue sky and a light, cooling breeze wafting over the surrounding hillside; this was perfect walking weather. Fourteen ramblers and two dogs gathered in the village car park exchanging gossip while donning sun hats, socks and walking boots. Our leader called the proceedings to order, (with some difficulty; obviously the 'Wednesday Gang' were showing their independence), and described the coming walk explaining where they were going and what they would see on the way. Having suitably informed his charges, our leader led the party from the car park through the village, locating the Market Cross (after one or two false starts) where mediaeval markets were held that attracted people from an area covering the Quantocks and the Brendon hills, and past the Church of the Holy Ghost built in 1226 and extended in the 15th century. The walk continued up the hill through green fields where the group watched with admiration while a farmer manoeuvred a large flock of sheep through two fields with the help of three sheep dogs; it seemed as if each dog knew its job and controlled its sector of the flock working as part of a team without any apparent instruction given. We pressed on up the hill and onto the slopes of the Quantocks passing just below Hurley Beacon at 353m high and followed the path above the line of woodland admiring the purple bell heather coming into blossom. Eventually Crowcombe Park Gate came into sight and the shout went up, 'the ice cream van's there'; but unfortunately it proved to be a large camper van who's owner when asked said he had no ice cream but might manage a cup of tea. Crowcombe Park Gate was part of the estate belonging to Crowcombe Court that was first mentioned in the Saxon Chronicles of 854 and was associated with King Ethelurulf, father of Alfred the Great. Our ramblers followed the path down to Ramscombe noticing how the floodwaters from the storm of the previous night had gouged large holes in the track and traversed the leisure park scenting the odour of freshly cooked food from still smouldering barbeque fires. At the end of the leisure park the group stopped for refreshments and while refortifying themselves noticed a deer grazing in the woodland not 35 yards away; this went on for some minutes until the deer, obviously tiring of its audience, moved on. We climbed the hill through thick woodland to Lord's Ball and on via fields to Quantock farm where we saw a fox hurrying away down the track; some debate on the direction of the footpath took place and began escalating but our leader took a firm line and said, 'follow me', (and much to his astonishment they did). The walk continued its ascent towards the Main Ridgeway and as our merry band emerged from woodland two deer were seen running across the field to cover. The ramblers crossed the Main Ridgeway, went down Little Quantock Combe to the farm and, via lane and footpath, returned to Crowcombe; on entering the car park our walkers were greeted by a grey squirrel chattering angrily at being disturbed. Tired but reasonably happy our group departed with three intrepid ramblers decamping to the Stable Cottage Tea Rooms in Triscombe to indulge themselves in mountains of hot scones layered with strawberry jam and cream and pots of steaming hot tea. | ||
| Sun. 26th June. Staple Plain to Paradise Coombe | ||
| Staple Plain car park was bathed in warm sunshine with a light breeze wafting across the hillside. Sixteen walkers assembled with old friends greeting each other and exchanging news. Our leader collected his charges together and explained the route they would take that afternoon and the places of interest that they would encounter on the way. Having completed the preliminaries, the party left the car park and made its way down the hill through thick, lush woodland to Weacombe village. Weacombe is mentioned in the Doomsday Book and was owned in the 11th century Roger De Courselle. They turned and followed the footpath along the Quantock foothills to Bicknoller admiring the views of Taunton Vale on the way. Bicknoller came into prominence in the 12th century when the Church of St George was built. From Bicknoller the group progressed to Quantock Moor passing the 6th century B.C. Iron Age hill forts of Trendle Ring and the Turk's Castle. It was at this point that one of our young ladies started to divest herself of clothing. Our leader, somewhat startled, thought perhaps it was the influence of those ancient Britons who had trod this ground so many years ago; but, having removed her anorak and leggings, she seemed content. On reaching Quantock Moor farm, a black spaniel, overjoyed at seeing us, immediately attached himself to another of our young ladies. Our leader, conscious of the paw marks he received on his shorts from this very dog only a few weeks ago, carefully edged him to one side of the footpath gate while he firmly shut it. Our gallant band started to climb the hill first up part of Long Combe and then up Paradise Combe. It was very warm and our walkers were beginning to wilt in the heat but, on emerging onto the hillside, were rejuvenated by a refreshing breeze. Having stopped here under the shaded awning of a large tree for refreshments, the group pressed on up the hill to Bicknoller Post and made their way back along the 'Great Road' to Staple Plain. From here the party decamped to the Vellow Tea Rooms where they enjoyed hot scones layered with raspberry jam and thick cream washed down with multitudinous cups of tea. | ||
| Sun. 26th June. In the Steps of King Arthur | ||
| The
party of nine Taunton Deane Ramblers set out on their day
walk form Charlton Horethorn towards Compton Pauncefoot
skirting around the high fenced Compton Castle they
continued on little used path to Sigwells Farm where one
of their lady members spent her early childhood. After a
pleasant lunch break in the bright sunshine the walk
passed through Whitcombe Farm and on to The Beacon, at
196 metres the view all round was splendid, with
Glastonbury Tor visible to the naked eye. Skirting Corton Denham on the ridge through Wheatsheaf Farm and descending between the ‘Pillow Mounds’ to climb onto the ridge on Poyntington Hill, taking a welcome break after the climb. The walk continued along Millers Hill to bypass Milborne Wick using track and path to regain the road and the final path through a large field of barley and return to the start. Spotted on route was a small blue butterfly with pink edges to its wings and some purple orchids and foxgloves – what a shame these lovely paths are so little used. |
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| Fri 24th to Sun 26th June. PCP (3) |
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| The
‘third leg’ of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path
from Sandy Haven to Nolton Cross was completed last
weekend by 10 members from their base at the Atlantic
View guest house at Broad Haven. The group were fortunate
to avoid the rainstorms that hit |
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| Wed. 22nd June. Williton, Monksilver & Stream |
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| On the route as well as seeing masses of cows we also spotted a fox and a deer. It was a very warm afternoon but there was some respite along the way as we entered woods a couple of times Of the fifteen walker twelve stopped for refreshments at the Bakelite Museum and enjoyed cream teas as well as the company of Refus the labrador and his feathered companion. | ||
| Sun. 19th June. Dartmoor Tors |
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| Starting from the Wessex Water
Authority’s car park at Meldon Reservoir walkers
initially followed the path above the reservoir on the |
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| Fri. 17th June. Carhampton to Dunster |
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(photo
Roger Conway) walk stats 4.8 miles 459ft of climb |
| It was a close and sultry evening when
the walkers left the car park but shortly crossed the
fields leading to shore where the gentle breeze reduced
the effects of high humidity. We crossed the railway
tracks and went onto the shoreline to turn west through
the impressive array of shore side plants. The Viper's
Bugloss, with it's vivid red and purple flowers was
particularly striking as were the mauve flowers on the
Mallow. At Dunster beach we turned inland and reached the
village by way of Conygar Hill. The group walked passed
the ancient Yarn Market and the pretty shops in the main
street, so hauntingly overlooked by the Castle, and down
to |
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| Wed. 15th June. West from Milverton |
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< Somerset jungle |
| 14 walkers took part in an afternoon that had occasional drizzle. However, this did not stop us appreciating the views and tramping through the Somerset jungle. The warmth and rain of late had sent nature wild so that many of the paths were deep in grass. There were plenty of crops to see including corn, peas, oats and an orchard. Either some alpacas or llamas were also seen. | ||
| Fri. 10th June. Trull, Poundisford & Kibbear | ||
| The weather was absolutely perfect with blue skies, warm sunshine and just a slight evening breeze. People started arriving in Trull church car park, a trickle at first that soon became a deluge. Eventually forty-five walkers and three dogs congregated and the buzz of conversation arose with the odd phrase penetrating; 'How did the holiday go', 'Didn't see you at the Legion dance', 'Megan is getting bigger', 'Did you go to the Brewhouse on Saturday'. Our leader was becoming apprehensive by the minute wondering how he was going to pacify Mine Host at the Winchester Arms as the myriads descended; but eventually twenty-five meals were requested and booked. Our leader called his charges to order and gave a précis of the coming walk including items of antiquarian interest to be seen on the way; the walkers showed polite interest acclimatised by now to his historical tirades. Having completed the preliminaries, our merry band left the car park, went past the 13th century church of All Saints with its 15th century stained glass windows and 16th century bench ends and continued on to Trull water mill where they viewed the water wheel still in situ. The walk went on to Eastbrook Lodge and so to Kibbear where the group encountered a vast field of oil seed rape in their way; deciding discretion to be the better part of valour our leader bypassed it by using the road running alongside. They crossed the M5 by road bridge, went through Poundisford village and on to Barton Grange that was originally the site of the Prior of Taunton's summer residence right up to the Dissolution in the 16th century. The walk progressed around the Park Pale and made its way back towards Trull past Poundisford Park that was formed as an estate by Henry of Blois, Bishop of Winchester, in the 11th century. The Tudor house was built in the 16th century and extensively modified in the 18th century. At this point a hot air balloon was seen travelling slowly across the sky and one wag quipped that it would be quicker to travel by balloon than walking; but our leader would not be drawn and with steely gaze continued leading his charges onward. The group went back over the M5 by footbridge and followed Sherford stream through a number of fields, one of which contained a large herd of cows with a vociferous bull in charge; but having made his presence felt he decided that we posed no threat and let us through. The group pressed on past the Bell House and as their destination approached the pace appreciably quickened until they eventually they arrived back at the car park. From here our gallant band retired to the Winchester Arms where they enjoyed a delicious repast with excellent real ale and entertaining conversation. | ||
| Wed.
1st June. Lilstock & Kilve (photos Roger Conway) walk stats 5.45 miles 186ft of climb |
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| Those 12 members that ignored the weather forecast enjoyed a dry stroll starting from 'Little Stoke' - 1868 map reference - and first visiting St Andrew's Church with it's one service a year and then a little bit of road walking to Kilton Church. Across the glebe field with the lambs prancing around and beyond kilton Farms to reach the fields once more. At the ridge there were good views to Minehead North Hill in the West and Brean Down in the east, not to mention Hinkley Point NPS. Down the other side to pass Kilve Church and more importantly (to the Chairman's displeasure) The Chantry Tea Rooms, although I suspect that he returned there later, to the Retort Tower, reminicient of the history of the oil shale smelting in times gone by. Someone made the comment about keeping quiet about this otherwise GWB and his friends might invade us! The return to Lilstock was along the coast path with great sights of the fascinating rock formations that there are on this coast. On reaching Lilstock the leader gave a history lesson about the old harbour. | ||
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