| Wed. 30th March. Hawkridge, Lydeard Hill, Aisholt | ||
| It was an overcast day with mist on the hills and a cold easterly breeze blowing. Nineteen ramblers gathered in eager anticipation at the Hawkridge reservoir lay by. The leader called the group together and described the highlights of the coming walk. Mention was made of the woodlands of Aisholt where a number of activities have taken place including coppicing for charcoal burning, removal of oak bark for tanning around 1840 and the manufacture of brooms or besoms in early 1900. Aisholt village was discussed with its 15th century church of All Saints although it was likely that a church was established here in the 8th century. He also told of the various famous people associated with the village namely Sir Henry Newbolt who wrote Drake's Drum, Samuel Coleridge who wanted to live here but his wife Sara thought it too quiet and Admiral Blake's family who lived in Plainsfield and are buried under the nave in the church. He then finished by saying that the route went past Durborough farm, built in the 16th century, and branched off to Bishpool farm progressing to Good's farm and back to Hawkridge reservoir. Having informed his fellow ramblers of relevant points of interest, the leader led his party from Hawkridge reservoir, climbed through Aisholt wood until they arrived at Aisholt village. Our intrepid band turned off the road at Aisholt church and followed a footpath through the fields admiring the crop of newborn lambs along the way. They attacked Lydeard hill climbing up to the Muchcare plantation where the party paused to catch their breath. One young lady demanded a 'banana break' to which the leader graciously aquiesqued. Suitably refreshed, the walkers continued their climb up Lydeard hill until they branched off to Bishpool farm. A slight route adjustment was made to avoid a ploughed field and Bishpool farm was reached by lane access. Here the group turned off towards Good's farm where they were waylaid by two horses demanding their toll before letting them past but the walkers, lacking polo mints, managed to bluff their way through. Just before Good's farm the leader suffered a slight aberration that involved an unscheduled deviation from the proposed route; but with excellent group teamwork the party was put back on course. From Good's farm our valiant band returned to Hawkridge reservoir via a rather muddy bridleway tired but happy. | ||
| Sun. 27th March. The Quantocks, ridges & combes |
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| A group of 14 walkers set off from
Crowcombe Park Gate towards Paradise Combe via Halsway
Soggs. Here the leader was already confused about which
path to take in the fairly dense mist, but fortunately
chose correctly. Passing an abundance of spring lambs
some walkers elected to detour the first of many steep
ups and downs before coffee was taken on Weacombe Hill
sandwiched between Bicknoller and Weacombe Combes. A
steep descent to Weacombe preceeded a climb up to Staple
Plain Car Park and then it was on past cleared invasive
rhodedendrons to Vinny Combe, emerging just below Beacon
Hill. Continuing down Smiths Combe and along the northern
edge of the Quantocks to Dens Combe, a lunch stop was
taken. After lunch as the group ascended towards New
Ground a keen-eyed rambler spotted 5 hinds which rapidly
became a herd of about 25, including 6 or more stags of
varying ages, some lacking an antler now that they are
losing them ready for their new sets. The ups proved too
much for one couple who took early retirement and an
alternative, flatter return route back to the start,
while the rest continued, to descend via Short Combe into
Hodders Combe. Ascending to Hare Knaps, four more walkers were “lost” to the tough going, while the remainder soldiered bravely on down into Holford Combe and up Lady’s Combe before returning to the start via the morbidly named Dead Woman’s Ditch and Willmots Pool. The mist hadn’t cleared completely by the end of the walk, which detracted from the views, but the work-out was good for the soul. |
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| Sun. 27th March. The Quantocks, Crowcombe Park to Holford | ||
| The sky was overcast with leaden clouds and a light easterly breeze was blowing across the hillside; a white ghost like mist lay on the waters of the Bristol Channel. Thirteen ramblers and two dogs assembled at Crowcombe Park Gate car park and girded their loins for the oncoming contest with the surrounding rugged landscape. The leader harangued his valiant band and briefly described the highlights of the walk starting from Crowcombe park which was part of the Crowcombe Court estate first mentioned in the Saxon Chronicles of 854 AD, passing to Robert of Mortain in 1066 whose 12th century descendants were the Crowcombe family, and eventually being inherited by the Carews in the 18th century. He said that the walk would then pass Wilmot's (or Withyman's) Pool with its Bronze Age tumulus, down Frog hill into Holford Combe, over Lower Hare Knap, up Slaughterhouse Combe crossing Black Ball hill to the Ridgeway above Thorncombe Barrow and on to Halsway Post. At this point the leader warned his followers not to travel the track alone when there is a full moon as that is the time when the Night Rider on his black stallion is abroad with the Yeth hounds; they will suddenly appear from nowhere, gallop silently past and then vanish into the darkness. It is said that anyone who sees this apparition will experience bad luck. One of the young ladies expressed concern about this but the leader calmed her anxiety by saying she would be quite safe if she stayed close to him. From Halsway Post the walk would follow the Ridgeway back to Crowcombe Park Gate. The group left Crowcombe Park Gate and started up the hill to Wilmot's Pool where they inspected the Bronze Age round barrow. One walker asked the leader if he was going to have a quick swim in the pool; he replied he would if anyone was game enough to join him but there were no takers. They continued down Frog hill and along Holford combe crossing and re-crossing the stream running down towards Holford. Quite a number of other walkers were encountered on the way and pleasantries were exchanged. The ramblers turned off Holford combe and attacked the hillside leading to Lower Hare Knap. To encourage his band of followers the leader cried out that the ice cream van was just over the brow of the hill but the walkers puffing behind him intimated that he was stretching the truth a little bit (or words to that effect); the leader was quite hurt at this remark. From Lower Hare Knap they descended into Somerton and then Hodder's combe where the group stopped at the confluence of two streams for a welcome break to catch their breath. Suitably refreshed the leader led the charge up Slaughterhouse combe and onto Black Ball hill where newborn lambs were seen closely shepherded by their mothers. Visibility was improving in the Bristol Channel and Flat and Steep Holms could be seen like great ships looming out of the mist. The Main Ridgeway was reached and the group continued on to Halsway Post where they encountered a lost walker and managed to point her in the right direction to Holford. The walk terminated at Crowcombe Park Gate where Quantock ponies were seen grazing on the adjacent hillside. Our now happy band of ramblers adjourned to the Stable Cottage Tea Rooms where they devoured mountains of scones layered with home made strawberry jam and double cream and drank gallons of hot tea. | ||
| Wed.
23rd March. Burrow Mump, the Parrett, the Tone & Lyng (photos Roger Conway) walk stats 6.1 miles 138ft of climb |
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| The promised sunshine ererged just as 26 Ramblers set off for, as the leader said, "a gentle and flat walk" and immediately climbed up to the top of Burrow Mump (see right above) and like the Duke of York straight down again on the other side. On to the River bank of the Parrett and the seamless junction with the River Tone towards the village of East Lyng, calling off on the way to inspect the Alfred Stone (above left), but no burnt cakes were on offer! Over the main road and onto the droves across the levels. After a short break for drinks we returned via the road alongside the Parrett to Burrowbridge. No one took up the leaders offer to complete the walk by going over the top of the Mump again. | ||
| Sun.
20th March. Halse, Hillcommon & Preston Bowyer (photos Roger Conway) the ah!! factor > bridge over Hillcommon waters >> |
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| The morning mist was just rising as 25 'early bird' walkers left the pretty village of Halse for a mellow walk across lush agricultural land, old trackways and country lanes to reach the hamlet of Hillcommon, and the lovely sight of new born lambs frisking in the farmyard in the, now bright, sunshine. A swift crossing of the main road and back to the fields down to the Hillcommon Stream, which is one of the feeders to the River Tone where we took a well deserved drinks break. The return leg took us back across the main road and past the wildfowling lakes before returning to Halse through the Churchyard and main street. 17 members stayed on for lunch at the New Inn. | ||
| Sun.
20th March. Around Sidmouth (photos Stewart Owen) |
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| A party of 22 Ramblers enjoyed a 14 mile
walk through the lovely Devon countryside north of
Sidmouth. A sea mist hung persistently along the coast,
obscuring the view in that direction, but inland the sun
shone warmly and the walkers quickly shed their outer
clothing and enjoyed the gift of spring. The route passed
through a variety of landscapes, over farmland, through
forest plantations and ancient woodland and although it
was too early for bluebells, the last of the primroses
still flourished in abundance and the Devon violets were
at their best. Birds sang along the way and roe deer were
spotted in the woodland, but the most amusing creatures
were the massed donkeys in their retirement home at
Paccombe. A collection of classic cars also caught the interest of some. A steep climb up from the East Devon way at Knapp marked the half-way point and there the walkers stopped for a picnic lunch before turning south, back towards Sidmouth. A couple of ridge walks in the afternoon meant easier walking than the through the hills and goyles of the morning and the walkers made good progress, arriving back in Sidmouth about 4.30. |
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| Wed.
16th March. Around Broadway (photo Roger Conway) Blackdowns Folk? > |
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| Before 19 Ramblers could set out on their
afternoon walk one of the group asked why was the church
so far away from the village? The
walk took us from the church via Sugg’s Lane and on
to Puddlebridge, Forest Gate and the rather unpleasant
task of having to cross the A 303. Then on to Haines Farm
with a permissive path to avoid the farm buildings. There
we took the road to pass Crock Street, Lawless farm and
Barley Hill, where a welcome drink stop was taken. The
return route then took us up lane, track and fields to
walk along side the A303 and make use the underpass to
cross to Horton. Further track and field paths took us
back to the church, where we were told that local legend
has it that the isolation of the church from the village
was due to the 1365 black death plague. |
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| Wed.
9 March. Runnington & River Tone (photos Roger Conway) the turkey trott > path through canal bridge >> |
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| Sun.
6 March. Around Westhay Moor (photos Roger Conway) walk stats 4.9 miles 210ft of climb |
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| On a lovely afternoon 25 walkers set out
for a 5 miles walk around Westhay Moor. The walk started
off along Dagg's Lane Drove before turning off into to
Wetlands Nature Reserve. A short loop through the peat
bogs followed before rejoining the wetlands and
continuing until joining London Drove. The group
proceeded along the drove where large ponds, bordered by
bulrushes and other water plants could be seen on either
side (se photo above left). At the end of the drove the
group walked a short way along North Chine Drove before
turning into fields for a short climb to the ridge above
Mudgley House Farm, where excellent views unfolded across
the wetlands and the Levels with Glastonbury Tor in the
distance. On this part of the walk rabbits were seen
playing in the fields and primroses grew along the side
of the path. The walk then continued downhill into Dagg's
Lane Drove for the final stretch through the wetlands. A
short detour was taken on a wooden walkway on stilts over
water (see photo above right) to a large hide which is
also built on stilts. During the walk many birds and
raptors were seen, some on water, some on the ground and
some in flight. |
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| Sun. 6 March. Sampford Peverell & Grand Western Canal | ||
| A splendid sunny Mothering Sunday saw 18 Taunton Deane Ramblers setting off along the canal towpath at Sampford Peveril. Crossing over on a canal bridge they headed north away from the town climbing towards the bridge over the busy A361 while older members reminisced about how originally the footpath had crossed this road and walkers risked life and limb dodging cars to get to the other side! The church at Uplowman had a collection of buggies outside and strains of All Things Bright and Beautiful greeted the group, reminding them of the significance of the day. A pleasant path along a valley to Wood was followed by a steady climb to the top of Beer Down. A slight haze made the Blackdowns less than clear in the bright sunshine but the Wellington Monument was easily seen. Passing Wally's Wallow (or Buck's Bog if you were approaching in the other direction) they took a watery wooded path downhill where in places the frost still hadn't melted, shaded by a high bank. Passing a huge pit which they surmised was an old limestone quarry the walkers settled in the sunshine along a bank for lunch, sheltered from any wind they decided it felt almost spring-like. While enjoying the break the landowner passed by and confirmed that the various quarries for limestone had been used to build the small village of Hockworthy. He told the group something of the history of the village which had been badly hit by the Black Death and saved by the inhabitants of Holcombe Rogus who left food for the starving villagers in what is still known as Black Lane. Taking a wooded track into the village the group swung right up over the brow of the hill and down into Holcombe before continuing to re-join the canal path. The final couple of miles on the flat canal towpath in warm sunshine was accompanied by mallards, coots and swans and finally took them back to the cars. | ||
| Wed.
2 March. Hood Monument & Compton Dundon (photos David Davis) |
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| As the snowflakes floated to the ground 20 Ramblers set off for the Wednesday afternoon walk up Collard Hill. By the time we had reached the ridge line the snow had stopped and we were able to appreciate the views. Then a brief stop at Hood Monument before following the ridge line and the magnificent views to Coomb Hill Wood. From here we descended Coomb Hollow Lane to Compton Dundon or should I say slithered and slid our way? A couple of short sections of Droves in the rain, two fields and a short lane brought us to Ivythorn Manor and then a short sharp climb up to the ridge and back to our cars. | ||
