| Friday 29th September 2006. Around
Staplehay (photos Roger Conway) walk stats 3.8 miles 209ft of climb |
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| As seems usual with Friday walks, the start seems to get more and more frantic, with attendance lists and supper orders to complete, not to mention some deft car parking arrangements to sort out. Anyway, we got off on time and headed south west taking in Sweethay, although the preferred route was varied due to some deliberate path blocking by landowners, and this meant a little more road work than the leader had intended. We soon took to the fields to Chilliswood and Higher Comeytrowe - past the free range chickens - (see photo above) and returned via Trull and, in the gathering gloom, the main road to Staplehay where 16 members enjoyed their supper. | ||
| Wednesday
27th September 2006. Thornfalcon, Knapp & Ham (photos Roger Conway) walk stats 5.4 miles 216ft of climb |
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| The weather prospects did not look good as the 19 members and 2 dogs set off from Thornfalcon Church. A blocked path soon produced a variation in route, but this allowed Jim to explain details of the route of the old Chard Canal, and this helped to compensate for the 'aroma' as we passed the Sewage Treatment works and on to Ham, where we followed the River Tone eastwards past the suspension bridge build by the Royal Marines (see photo above left) and onto Westmoor. On reaching Knapp Bridge we took a break and watched the swans foraging (see photo above right). A short climb up to Higher Knapp and back home via Backham and New Barn. | ||
| Sunday 24th September 2006. Broadhembury | ||
| We did the
climbing first, up the long hill out of Broadhembury to
the top of Stafford Hill where we turned onto a bridleway
which led us to Golden Cleave and the entrance to
the |
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| Wednesday 13th September 2006.
Cockercombe & Aisholt (photos Ken Burgess) |
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| The walk which started by going round the western end of the reservoir at Hawkridge. We then climbed up through two fields to overlook the reservoir and beyond as far as a distant Glastonbury Tor. After a short length of road walking the Group then made the steady climb on forest tracks through the plantation up Cockercombe to near Triscombe where a short break was enjoyed. Continuing up through the woods a small herd of red dear was disturbed just before we emerged near Aisholt common. The route now followed an old drove road overlooking a deep hidden valley described by Coleridge as ‘a deep romantic chasm down a green hill’. Leaving the drove walkers headed over a steam crossing to Aisholt church before turning towards Aisholt Woods and the descent back to the reservoir. | ||
| Sunday
10th September 2006. Newton Poppleford (photos Roger Conway) walk stats 4.3 miles 444ft of climb |
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| A new 'patch' for most of us, and on a hot afternoon was taken at a very gentle pace. The route started from the village car park and across the busy main road and we soon joined the East Devon way up over Harpford Common before dropping down to the pretty hamlet of Venn Ottery where we took a short break on the village green by the church (see above left). On our way back we passed the sign (above right) and through the orchards before retiring to the tea rooms for well earned refreshments. | ||
| Sunday
10th September 2006. Milton Abbas (photos Dave Patten) |
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| Leader Dave Patten's hopes soared when he saw a large group at the start of his new Dorset walk from the top of Woollard Hill (adjacent to Bulbarrow). Unfortunately they were from Salisbury RA and only three Taunton Deane ramblers (but 14 legs) troubled to make the effort. However they enjoyed a wonderful walk in some of the finest scenery that the West Country has to offer.The fortuitous five ambled and sniffed through woods and silent deserted valleys till the imposing sight of Milton Abbey school and Benedictine Abbey came into view. Among other claims to fame this is where the first recorded parachute leap occurred, by the five year old son of the owner in 1588 who fell 60ft from the tower but landed unharmed due, it is claimed, to the then fashionable wearing of petticoats. Capability Brown would have admired the fruition of his efforts in the immaculate lawns and grounds of this £21000 a year minor public school (210 boys, 10 girls). Middleton village of course is now beneath the lake having been rebuilt a quarter of a mile away and renamed Milton Abbas in 1780. And what a picture it was too (though photographically would have been much better without the cars).After an enjoyable pint of Best Ringwood and homemade soup, the group walked briskly over to Winterborne Stickland to admire more knapped flint and superb thatch to make their way gently back to their motors. A walk to be repeated. | ||
| Friday
8th September 2006. Around Bradford on Tone (photos Roger Conway) walk stats 4.2 miles 225ft of climb |
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| Modern agriculture makes little concession for the needs of walkers and the closely planted maize crop required a couple of small diversions. A double crossing of the main line with it's very busy Friday evening traffic was punctuated by a walk through the Nynehead strawberry beds. (did I spy one or two members trying the wares?). Nealy dark by the time we returned to the White Horse for supper in the garden. | ||
| Wednesday
6th September 2006. Wivy to Huish Champflower (photos Roger Conway) walk stats 5.00 miles 891ft of climb |
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| In high humidity this was a bit of a 'toughy' and abuse from ignorant landowners only served to harden the walkers resolve. Starting from North Street we followed the road towards Langley marsh before crossing fields to emerge at the far end of the hamlet, to cross the road and back into the fields where we were accosted first by a horse dealer and his woman, then by the horses and finally by a bull and cows before we reached the heights at Jews Farm. Here, an attempt to get our breath back resulted in another 'person' demanding that we moved on and away from her house. No wonder the leader lost his bearings and the combined efforts of several members was required to get us back on course, which was to reach the main road at the rear of the water treatment works at Maundown. Over the road again for the final climb to the top of Maundown Hill, with the wonderful gardens (see above left) and long descent down Jews Lane (see above right) back to Wivy. The Leader was forgiven his little navigation error because he had generously donated free plums to all. | ||
| Sunday
3rd September 2006. Holywell Lake & Chitterwell (photos Bob Greenshields) |
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| Friday 1st September 2006. Bowerhays Copse, Knapp & Southlands Farms | ||
| Before moving off everyone commented about the lovely setting of the hotel, most had never been there before and never knew that it existed. It was a beautiful autumnal evening, ideal for walking. We set off along a quiet country lane walking towards Dunkeswell but turning off after half a mile to walk a footpath going north. After a short drop to the bottom of a valley we began a gentle climb towards along a desolate drive towards Bowerhayes Farm. After enjoying beautiful views of the Blackdown Hills we continued through Bowerhayes Copse and then turned south – where our problems began. The field we were in seemed to be all marsh land and although most of us got through without too much trouble some found it very difficult and felt trapped. As various routes were tried and failed, time passed by and it became decidedly dusky, the leader began to feel quite concerned wondering if we could get back before it got completely dark. Eventually everyone got across but only after one walker had stumbled in the mud but fortunately suffered no harm. The walk was completed successfully but by that time the moon was up and an owl hooting nearby gave the atmosphere a somewhat spooky feel. Most thoroughly enjoyed the walk and felt that it had been quite challenging but some were not so sure. To finish the evening we enjoyed an excellent supper at the hotel where we were very well looked after. A perfect end to a near perfect walk. | ||
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