oct05rep

Sun. 30th October. Devon Discovery
Six hardy ramblers met at Sidbury after a night and early morning of rain & wind. The walk lead us over fields & through woodland up to East Hill then north before descending to Alfington. After a short busy stretch of road a track lead to Woodford Barton where we picked up the Otter River and headed south to have lunch in the sun on park benches at Otter St. Mary and a look at a nearby circular weir. Unfortunately we were a little early for the enormous bonfire which was being erected and funfair alongside the river. The Otter River was very swollen after the rain and the weirs quite spectacular. Two swans with three cygnets were the only sign of life not put off by the weather. At Tipton St. John we continued south to Harpford where we walked through a lovely wood alongside a stream, the signs of autumn apparent, to ascend to Fire Beacon. Along the East Devon Way to White Cross then it was all downhill back to Sidbury. To compensate for a perfectly dry day was mud galore!

Sun. 30th October. Handy Cross to Gaulden Manor
Autumn Bounty :- On a bright ,breezy afternoon after morning rain, the sixteen walkers who joined the leader for a gentle afternoon walk from Handy Cross , went home well satisfied from a quite fruitful walk. Dropping down through an open valley to West Leigh and then Tarr, and returning via Gaulden Manor, the group first encountered the unusual phenomenon of a herd of attractive jersey cattle, who were just as interested in the walkers themselves ! Approaching the well named Watersmeet Farm, fallen chestnuts on the track proved a worthwhile forage, but better was to come, as behind the farm a pile of windfall apples lay strewn across the path. The piece de resistance however was above Gaulden Manor where at the top of a large field a considerable mass of field mushrooms delighted the eye.. These encouraged even the sceptic fungi gatherer to pitch in ! Needless to say progress on the latter part ot the walk was slowed by quite a few extra burdens.

Sun. 23rd October. Ilminster South 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 ChardCanal (see above)that is still in water, before crossing 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, note the flood level marker!) and we stopped for a short drinks break by the old cattle ford. 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.


Sun. 23rd October. Winsford to Wheddon Cross
Twelve Taunton Deane Ramblers set out from Winsford heading east via the Huckhams and Kennisham wireless station. On our route we passed two herds of deer, one some 30 strong and the other about 15. Admiring the extensive views over Lype Common on our way to The Rest and Be Thankful public house in Wheddon Cross for well earned refreshments. The afternoon return was via Luckwell Bridge and a very muddy Ison Lane. Both halves of the walk involved some strenuous climbs, so a large contingent took advantage of the excellent Tea Rooms at Winsford

Fri. 21st October Bathpool River & Canal
This was the final scheduled Friday evening walk of the season and the 28 members soon reached the canal towpath and followed it to Firepool Lock. They grossed the weir and evocative waterfall sounds and continued to walk towards the town centre. At the Brewhouse footbridge the group crossed over the river and returned to Bathpool along the left bank (oh so chic these ramblers). Plenty of wildlife including ducks, swans, cygnets and rabbits were evident on route. The majority of the group stayed on to enjoy a meal together at the Bathpool Inn.

Wed. 19th October Railway circular from Stogumber (photos Roger Conway) walk stats 4.25 miles 424ft of climb .
The West Somerset Railway was never far from sight or sound during this walk. It started, in thunder and heavy rain, from Stogumber Station, quite the most evocative on the whole line and after crossing the track we took the path alongside to Kingswood and then to the fields and woods by Turks Castle Camp, one of a number of iron age settlements found in this area to follow the Doniford stream to Vellow. The members didn't take the chance to buy some pottery and the prospect of a cream tea was lost because the tea rooms were shut, so we continued with a little bit of road work and up a sharp climb to emerge to spectacular views of the Quantocks and the Bristol Channel. All the rain stopped and the rest of the walk was in bright sunshine. The return route took us along some narrow lanes down to edge of Stogumber before returning to the fields, not to mention crossing the cricket pitch, to have another brief encounter with the road, but we quickly regain the open countryside and a sunked path. The final stage is back to the railway lines and the path to the Station.

Sun. 16th October Coast to Beacon on Exmoor
(photos Stewart Oweb) Flyagaric & the Right to Roam sign

Sun. 16th October Axbridge.
Along the river, up the peak, and through the tunnel was the cryptic title of a medium mid-October walk led by the former Programme Secretary John Ollerenshaw. A dozen members and two dogs gathered in the centre of the medieval town of Axbridge just below the escarpment of the Mendip Hills, and in hazy conditions with a threat of rain, soon set of southwards along by one of the many drainage ditches in this low lying area. The two Bassett hounds accompanying the group soon took up the scent of a ‘rival” hound and their leader had to scamper to retrieve them. The banks of the turgid flowing river Yeo were soon reached and the group turned westwards. The formidable ridge of the escarpment loomed ahead in the mist and passing through the quiet village of Cross walkers climbed to reach a traversing path. where they again turned westward to pass through a series of grassy fields some with a sprinkling of field mushrooms. Much to everyone’s delight, far from thickening, the cloud began to break up and the sun appeared. The village of Compton Bishop lay ahead nestling in a natural amphitheatre below the hills, and walkers stopped to admire some fine carvings in the 13th century church.A climb lay ahead, but at first not too steep. Emerging from natural woodland, much bedecked by old man’s beard, the bridleway taken rose up through heath land with some late flowering heather and gorse to reach the ridge path. It was only a short distance to Crook Peak with its panoramic view, and to day there was a further interest. Below the rocky headland a large group of keen enthusiasts sought to outdo each other with their large radio controlled gliders.A leisurely lunch was taken out of the wind and it was so cosy that one walker and his dog were rather reluctant to move. Gathering their possessions together the group set off along the smooth grassy ridge eastwards. Climbing Wavering Down the misty waters of Cheddar Reservoir could be seen in the distance below. The way ahead lay downwards at last, and passing an upland farm, the two dogs enjoyed a long drink in its small duck pond completely covered by duck weed. Crossing to a series of volunteer made steps walkers descended to Winscombe church.With its fine stained glass windows, large brass chandelier, and beautiful carved wooden angels on the edge of its wagon roof, here was a lot to admire, and outside with its attractive circular seat, was one of the largest yew trees in Somerset. Leaving the village the group took an old cart track and a footpath crossing several fields to reach a disused railway line-once called the strawberry line. Ahead lay the tunnel under Shute Hill, and halfway through by torchlight the party were able to admire the work of a roof spring that over the years had deposited an impressive ‘icing” of stalagmites, Leaving the tunnel the track, now a popular cycle way, crossed the A38 to end near the site of the old Axbridge station. The group parted in the square, some to head homewards and some to enjoy a good tea with a selection of cakes

Wed. 12th October Dowsborough Hill Fort, Holford Combe & Halsway Post
In Bridgwater the sun shone briefly, perhaps on the righteous, but at Dead Woman’s Ditch angry grey-black cloud hung low over the Quantocks. Ten hardy and determined walkers with three dogs assembled in the car park and donned full wet weather gear; the three dogs, namely two Yorkshire terriers and one Jack Russell, greeted each other rather boisterously at first but the status quo was soon established. Our leader collected his charges together and described the highlights of the coming walk starting from Dead Woman’s Ditch which has been portrayed as part of the fortifications of Dowsborough Hill Fort built during the Iron Age in 2700 BC, passing Robin Upright’s Hill and climbing up Dowsborough Hill to the fort. The walk descends from the Hill Fort to Holford Combe, climbs up over Lower Hare Knap and goes downhill to Somerton Combe. It ascends Somerton Combe and just after Halsway Post follows the track over Black Hill and Frog Hill eventually arriving back at Dead Woman’s Ditch. Our leader started the walk with a warning; he said, ‘Beware of walking this part of the Quantocks at night as you might bump into the ghost of Dead Woman’s Ditch, a grey apparition of a female figure roaming the hills, and as if on cue the heavens opened up and rain cascaded down. The group enthusiastically tackled the path to Dowsborough Hill Fort and on reaching the top found cloud shrouding the surrounding hills with a thick white mist lying in the Bristol Channel although Steep Holm could be seen floating as if in mid air. At this point our leader recounted to his party the legend that a band of Danish raiders were cut to pieces in the vicinity of Dowsborough Hill leaving only the young son of their chieftain alive; this inspired Wordsworth (who walked this area with his friend Coleridge) to write the poem ‘The Danish Boy’. From the fort the walk descended to Holford Combe encountering on the way a grey squirrel who dashed across our path about his nefarious business and three Quantock ponies who viewed us rather suspiciously as we traversed their preserve. From Holford Combe our intrepid band stormed over Lower Hare Knap with water cascading down the footpath as the rain became heavier and descended to Somerton Combe. The ramblers climbed up Somerton Combe over Black Hill with low cloud obscuring the combes below and along the main track across Frog Hill back to Dead Woman’s Ditch. Our triumphant and cheerful band arrived back knowing that they had accomplished their goal and defied the elements on this day.

Sun. 9th October Neroche Millenium Walk
On a warm and sunny Sunday, 10 of us met up at the village hall at Bickenhall, the starting point for the Neroche Millenium Walk. A few steps along the road led to a path crossing open fields and a small corner of a newly planted woodland to emerge at the RSPCA Wildlife Centre close to the Farmers Arms public house. We left the road again at Thurlbear Wood and followed a wide forest track through the trees to the Norman church of St Thomas, which is believed to date from 1110. The fields between there and Netherclay Lane yielded a feast of Inkcap fungi for one adventurous member of the group while blackberries were in abundance along several stretches of the walk. Avoiding the temptation to call in at the Greyhound Inn at Staple Fitzpaine, we passed through Piddle Wood and fields of corn stubble to climb gradually up to the ridge and into the Staple Hill Plantations where we stopped for lunch. At this point the path became a little wet where it passed along the wooded hillside, opening up only in the area between Mount Fancy Farm and Britty Common, but this presented no real obstacle to either our group or the more intrepid orienteerers that we met along the way. After crossing a fairly minor road, a short but steep climb took us to the ramparts of Castle Neroche itself, a motte and bailey construction from which we had magnificent views out over the Somerset Levels, as far as the Quantock Hills and the Bristol Channel. A sharp descent took us to Middleroom Lane, a somewhat muddy track down through the wood, from where a gravel path led to Curry Mallet Drove, a wide and grassy way between very pretty hedgerows. The walk ended by crossing newly cultivated fields to arrive back at Bickenhall village hall around 4.30pm.

Wed. 5th October Chard to Wambrook walk stats 6.2 miles, 689ft of climb. (photos Roger Conway)
On a misty, overcast day, the substitute leader left, like the old Great Western Railway, spot on time. Through the housing estate and straight into the first climb of the afternoon. A mixture of quiet country lanes, woods and fields made up the bulk of the walk, plus a couple of 'added extras' as our leader got us back on route to bring all 11 of us back to Chard, safe and happy.

Sun. 2nd October Around the Culm Valley
The walk is Walk no. 10 in the Group’s ‘Somerset Walks’ booklet. From the car park in the centre of the village there is a stretch of road walking down to and over the River Culm. Then there is an ascent of the Blackdowns to Blackdown Common where walkers walk on the ridge on the north/west side of the Culm Valley. During the climb walkers stopped to admire the village seat erected to celebrate the millennium (see below right) and proceeded as far as the landmark Culmstock Beacon from where there are extensive views over the Culm Valley and distant views of both Dartmoor and Exmoor. The descent from the beacon is steep and uneven and has to be done with care but once completed walkers proceeded to the footbridge (below left) for a delightful riverside lunch stop during which several large dragonfly were watched as they danced over the water. After lunch the crossing of the valley was completed and walkers climbed to the opposite side of the valley walking along the ridge at Owleycombe Common. This time the views were back over the valley to the ridge walked in the morning with the Wellington Monument clearly visible. After a brief stop for refreshment walkers returned to their cars parked in the village. A very pleasant circulation of the unspoilt Culm Valley which passes through farmland, commons, woods and the riverside.
(photos Stewart Owen & Ken Burgess)

Reports on Walks in October 2005