nov04rep

Wed. November 24th Culmstock Beacon & Sampford Point (photos Roger Conway) Walk Stats:- 4.0 miles, climbs 363ft	No 1	No 2
No 1. The Sky through the Beacon Roof No 2. Culmstock Beacon No 3. The Deer at Wallaces' No4. A Calf observes the walkers	No 3	No 4


Wed. November 17th Ilminster Circular (photos Roger Conway) Walk Stats:- 4.8 miles, climbs 463ft
Starting from the historic covered Market Cross in the middle of Ilminster the group soon found themselves away from the urban area as they briefly paused at a section of the Chard Canal (see above) that is still in water, before crossed the playing fields and up Herne Hill, with lovely views back over Ilminster and to the Blackdown's in the west. A gentle downhill to the village of Donyatt, crossing the route of the Taunton to Chard railway (below left) - now a Sustrans cycle path - on the way. From Donyatt the route followed the banks of the River Isle northwards (below right) and a number of water birds, including a heron were seen. At Winterhay the walk turned south for a while before going east up to the top of Beacon Hill (below centre) and the final descent back to our starting point. 10 members finished their outing with tea and cakes at Bilby's Tea Shop.


Sunday November 14th On the edge of the Devon Border
A party of 24 Member set out on a sunny Sunday morning from a lay-by near Waterrow, crossing the line of the old railway and making for Northcott Farm and then the village of Clayhanger. The early sun soon disappeared but this did not detract from the glory of the beeches and oaks in their final colours before losing the remainder of their leaves. Passing Nutcombe Manor the group paused to argue over its provenance and then pressed on to Denscombe Mill on the River Bathern on its way south to Exmouth. Lunch was taken in the lee of a hedge overlooking Clayhanger before continuing on to Heniton Hill and Dark Lane to the bridge at Stawley on the River Tone, on its way north to the Bristol Channel. Somewhere we had crossed the watershed. Turning north, alongside the river, the group walked up the West Deane Way to Hagley Bridge Farm and got through before a fearsome dog was aware of our presence! The return was via Combe, where we saw some very early lambs, in good time for the leaders to get to a concert in Taunton later that evening. This area on the borders of Somerset and Devon is well known for its fierce farm dogs, broken gates, awkward stiles and beautiful rolling farmland. The outbreak of Foot and Mouth started here in the southwest and as a result the area has been left off many walk leaders' itinerary but that should not remain the case. It is to be hoped that more walkers using its pleasant footpaths may see the gates and stiles repaired and dogs better behaved.

Wednesday November 10th Fitzhead, Hoccombe & Pyleigh (photos Roger Conway)
Walk Stats:- 5.8 miles, climbs 607ft	Attractive Cottages at Pyleigh	Sunshine greets the walkers
A hopeful weather forecast brough out a bumper 32 members (after 5 recounts!) who enjoyed a brisk walk that had a bit of everything, from shaded droving tracks, tarmac roads, lush green fields and mud!!

Sunday November 7th Bishops Lydeard circular
Instead of sleeping off their Sunday lunch 35 Ramblers decided to spend the afternoon on a circular parish walk starting from Bishops Lydeard. The walk leader recruited some mathematically competent assistants to make sure they did not lose anyone from such a large number of walkers and this came in handy when crossing a busy road. Perhaps it was the level nature of the terrain that attracted them and luckily there were few stiles to slow their progress. It was a pleasant autumn afternoon in the Vale of Taunton and there were no surprising sights along the way, there being sheep (24), goats (3), swans (2) geese (3) pheasants (17) and an uncounted number of cattle.

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Reports on Walks in November 2004 updated 11th December 2004