octrep06

Sunday 29th October 2006. Fitzhead & the sunken lanes Walk Stats:- 4¾ miles, climbs 482ft (photos Roger Conway)
28 members gathered outside the pub in bright autumn sunshine and started our walk towards the church and then south across fields before taking a short westerly road section to reach an ancient droving lane that took us further south and gave some lovely panoramic views to the Quantocks and the Brendons. Another short road section and then through the woods and a meadow to reach a sunken trackway (see picture above) that took us on a gentle downhill route east. A short refreshment break was followed by some uphill (& downhill) road work before again taking to the arable fields to reach a delightful lake by derelict farm building. More fields, including sight of a hot air balloon (see picture above) and short bits of road to bring us back to Fitzhead.

Sunday 22nd October 2006. Long Sutton & Knole
The forecast was not good and it was indeed a very wet afternoon and the leader did not expect any walkers to turn up - but 8 braved the elements. Long Sutton, unusually for Somerset, is a village set around a village green. The church, flanking the village green dates back to the 15th century. From here we walked along the road to the village of Knole. We then climbed Knole hill. Unfortunately because of the weather there was very little view. However, we walked down the other side of the hill to Driveway Drove where we were up to our knees in mud! Well - nearly! On to the river bank where we followed the river Yeo, crossing the road at Load Bridge. Again following the river and back to Long Sutton. A very bracing walk!

Sunday 22nd October 2006. Exmoor foray
The weather was reasonable at first and we had a pleasant walk across the fields (some of them rather like parkland) to Holnicote House and then across the main road up to the pretty village of Selworthy where we stopped on the Green for an ‘11s stop’. Then we walked back across the fields towards Tivington but just before the main road found a field with lots of field mushrooms. Several of us stopped to pick these and enjoyed eating them later, delicious flavour so much nicer than shop bought ones. We walked past Blackford House Farm and stopped to look at the dovecote there owned by the National Trust preserved in almost perfect condition. Passing through Tivington we decided not to look at the interesting thatched Chapel of Ease but proceeded up the hill behind into the woods of Tivington Curdon and found lots of sweet chestnuts on the ground which, due to the fine hot summer were large enough to be worth collecting which several of us did, hopefully to be roasted later! Just after this the rain, which had been threatening came on and got heavy and most of us got soaked in spite of the fact that we had some shelter in the trees. After climbing a steep bank we found the bridle path down to Wootton Courteway where we found shelter for lunch on the veranda of the village hall. The intention had been to then climb across to the top of Dunkery Beacon and then go down to Cloutsham and on back to Horner by Horner Water, but due to the weather and us being wet decided to go directly back to Horner along the track from Brockwell. The annual 15 ½ mile Exmoor Challenge run was being held that day and we passed many of the runners taking part, most scantily dressed in running gear! We hope none of them suffered from hypothermia. Actually on the way back to Horner the rain eased off becoming intermittent though still with one or two heavier bursts and being on the north side of Dunkery and the moor were sheltered from the SW wind. The teashops in Horner were closed and we went straight back home.

Wednesday 18th October 2006. Castle Neroche (photos Roger Conway) walk stats 5.7 miles 826ft of climb
The thing about starting at the top of the hill is that as you are walking you are always thinking about the final uphill to finish. 14 members set off down the slippery slope northwards to the 'flatlands' of Bickenhall, where we passed the donkeys - ahh- (see picture above left) old chapel that is now a community centre and on to the lush farmland of Staple Fitzpaine & Curland before reaching the old Curland Chapel (see picture above right) and then uphill!!

Sunday 15th October 2006. In & Around East Lyn (photos John Ollerenshaw)
A walk leader driving to a remote location on the far side of Exmoor never knows who’s going to turn up, and so it was on a cool, but windy overcast morning in mid-October I drove up to the old quarry car park at Barna Barrow above Countisbury. Within a short time I realised things were going to be different as half the group were new faces to me who had looked the walk up on the internet, and the average age of walkers was below 50! Dropping down to Wilsham farm we soon spotted our first deer who seemed quite reluctant to move in the bracken. Fungi, and in particular field mushrooms were abundant, and we later spotted a dedicated collector who had a full basket of these treasures. Crossing the East Lyn at Rockford the group paused to enjoy the beautiful spot. A stiff climb lay ahead, first alongside a cascading stream, and then through and up past Shilstone Farm, and over moorland to Drybridge for a coffee stop. Walkers had then to run the gauntlet of a trail riders event as they descended through the woods to Bridge Ball and onward to Hillsford Bridge. Another climb ensued over the Iron Age camp of Myrtleberry Cleeve, and beyond along the ridge with some of the best valley woodland views in Somerset. The group took a late on the Two Moors Way lunch overlooking Lynmouth and its foreshore. Cake and its other usual accompaniments beckoned as walkers descended to the Lyn and started up towards Watersmeet. The number of Sunday walkers out obviously upset the bird population as not one dipper was spotted on this usually well populated stretch of river. Refreshed at Watersmeet, the group tackled the last stretch, a climb up through sessile oak woodland to Countisbury. The old sundial on the church doorway was admired there before a final climb up past sheep and grazing ponies to the car park and farewells.

Sunday 15th October 2006. Blackbrook, Ruishton & Creech (photos Gillian Robson)
A mild autumn day encouraged seven visitor/newcomers plus two children and a dog to join 20 members for a waterside walk on Sunday. The walk, starting from the Master Thatcher in Taunton encompassed stream, ponds, river and canal. On reaching one pond, complete with fountain, outside the Harvester Inn near the motorway junction we were given a visible reminder that it is illegal to use the oh-so-tempting bus gate to gain access to Ilminster Road as a police car was lying in wait to catch the unwary. As we crossed the footbridge over to Hankridge there were clear views to the Blackdown Hills in one direction and the Quantocks in the other. Following the River Tone first to Ruishton and then to Creech St Michael, at one point two of our 'tail end Charlies' were waylaid by a proud fisherman who asked them to photograph him and his prize, a large pike, before it was returned to the river. After a refreshment break at the canal car park the group returned via the canal and Bathpool pausing en route to admire the swans.

Thursday 5th October 2006. Farway Hill & Harcombe Hill
The forecast for the day was pretty grim and indeed it had already been rainy lightly for a few hours by the time we set off, but we set off with a resolve that we could continue whatever the weather. In an area not often walked by the group we enjoyed the views from Farway Hill looking across the valley to Farway and Northleigh below us. As we made our way down the hill towards Farway we continued to enjoy the beautiful scenery so typical of East Devon. The village of Farway was in itself a delight with it’s painted white walled cottages and thatched roofs. After this began the first of four long uphill climbs, to the top of Ball Hill from where we continued along a mile or so of easy level walking across Broad Down. At this stage the rain had almost stopped so when an open barn presented itself we stopped and enjoyed our lunch on the comfort of log stools which appeared to have been set out just for us. When we decided to continue the rain had stopped completely and the sky had lightened somewhat. Our path took us along the top of Harcombe Hill skirting the wood on our right. We eventually emerged to take in a splendid view across Sidmouth and Lyme Bay with Peak Hill looking quite majestic to the west. For a few minutes we paused and marvelled at the view before continuing, down the hill to Harcombe after which began our second uphill climb to the top of Buckton Hill. From here we soon picked up the East Devon Way which would eventually return us back to the starting point, but only after completing the final two ‘up-and-downers’ . We very much enjoyed our walk in spite of the weather, we can only hope that the next time we walk it the weather will be kinder and add even more to the special landscape that is special to East Devon

Sunday 1st October 2006. Nynhead & Grand Western Canal (photos Roger Conway) walk stats 5.8 miles 388ft of climb
With a morning of thunder, lightening and heavy rain, it was not surprising that only 5 members were brave enough to venture out for an afternoon walk, but in true Hollywood fashion, the sun came out and apart from one short and quite light shower, we remained dry. Even the stiff breeze was welcome in those temperatures. The walk headed north, and up hill, to reach the top of Weekmoor, with beautiful views to the Quantocks, The Blackdowns and the Poldens. DownHill past Luckham Farm (see photo above left) to Farthings Close and then onto the route of the Grand Western Canal and some history lessons about our transport past, before turning north again and back to Nynhead Court where we examined the old Ice House (see photo above right) on our way to the car park.

Reports from October 2006 Walks