aug05rep

Sun 28th August. Beer to Westonmouth (photo John Ollerenshaw & Stewart Owen) Bathing Belles (near) and watcher (far)
Taunton Deane Ramblers’ Bank Holiday walk from Beer to Westonmouth on the East Devon coast proved to be a memorable walk for some for a variety of contrasting reasons ! Early arrivals at the large car park on Beer’s western hillside might have been dismayed by a grey mist covering the sea’s face ,but this thankfully soon cleared ,and the sun shone from an immaculately blue sky. Numbers gathering at the car park were low until a family group arrived ,but they were undecided whether the children in the party were up to the eleven miles involved ,so eventually just two swelled the numbers who negotiated the switchback of Beer’s hills and valleys to set out on the back lane to Branscombe. Before long a beautiful Jersey Tiger moth was spotted on flowers of late flowering clematis.and two photographers in the group vied for the best shots. The leader lingered to catch up on the score from Trent Bridge,which later was to be quite compelling even for the non-sporting element around ! A coffee break was taken on convenient benches in the busy streets of Branscombe before the lanes were left to climb up to pass a Stone Age Hillfort affording majestic views over the valleys flowing seaward. Late flowering scabious and knapweed attracted the attention of ringlet and meadow brown butterflies near to Woodhouse farm before the group descended to the secluded hamlet around the beautiful Hole House.A steep wooded climb had to be negotiated before the group criss-crossed a group of leafy lanes, one notable for its nearby noisy and odorous pig farm, and they finally reached Weston to descend steeply to its shingle beach. Swimmers in the group had scarcely enjoyed a refreshing dip before the party was further swelled by four lady walkers who had arrived late. A leisurely lunch and sunbathe was enjoyed before in twos and threes the party set off to tackle the tough ascent to the top of the chalk cliff high above. The way back followed the well-marked coastal path,and walkers were able to enjoy the antics of a group of hang gliders who swooped and soared in the cooling sea breezes along this stretch of coastline. Approaching Branscombe again ,encounters with approaching walkers increased the interest in exciting events unfolding in the Test match. Tea and ice creams were enjoyed before the final climb of the day to the former look out station on South Down Common. It was now only a short step back to the car-park now surprisingly packed with trippers’cars. Photos of a former holiday in the Dolomites were enjoyed before walkers drove off homewards ,many gripped by events in the cricket,but all satisfied by a stirring walk on a gorgeous summer’s day.

Fri. 26th August. Around Bishops Hull
Full of trepidation on a damp Friday, 33 walkers left Bishops Hull Community Centre walking to the top of Stonegallows, via the Bishops Hull Road, from which point magnificent clear views of the Vale were enjoyed by all. A descent through and across fields towards Hele would have been even more enjoyable had the footpaths been properly maintained. Crossing the Hele Bridge and skirting the river back through the meadows to Silk Mills this energetic band found themselves clean, surprisingly dry and early enough to enjoy splendid snacks at The Old Inn, Bishops Hull.

Sun 21st August. Dartmoor delight (photos Stewart Owen)
On a perfect August walking morning - blue skies, cooling north easterly breeze- a large mixed group of 23 Taunton Deane Ramblers set out from Postbridge on Dartmoor heading North East for the 1712ft summit of Higher White Tor. Visibility was perfect on reaching the ridge and magnificent views to the South and West towards Princetown were possible. An easy path was followed for a short while to reach Longaford Tor where the group halted briefly to admire the views down the valley of the upper section of the West Dart river. The main group of walkers descended into the valley and skirted Wistmans Wood, one of the oldest and last remaining dwarf oak forests on Dartmoor, then continued on to Twobridges. A hardy group of six meanwhile chose to tackle the steep ridges of Beardown Tor and could be seen by the valley group below all the way to meeting up again at Twobridges. Lunch was taken in a beautiful valley location looking down the West Dart valley towards Princehall and beyond. After lunch the main group continued along the wide gently descending path that links Princetown and the South Eastern part of the moor, where the vast openness of the moors and the skies come together. Once again, at this point, the same small group of six decided to add an extended loop over Royal Hill in order to stretch their legs further. The main group arrived at the Swincombe Newtake Settlement, established over 300 hundred years ago and located in an idyllic setting at a small river crossing. Moving on the group descended into the small settlement of Hexworthy with its beautiful old bridge and reputed "Pixie"wood. Here, according to William Crossing's Guide to Dartmoor published in 1906, just close to the famous Forest Inn public house, was located Jolly Lane Cottage, the last house to be built on Dartmoor under the old custom of "building sunrise to sunset, thereby claiming the land and enclosure with the property". Unfortunately the group did not have time to check that the property was still standing. After negotiating the crossing of the busy road linking Two Bridges to Dartmeet the group headed steadily North West across the open hillside above Huccaby Tor and after a brief rest by one of Dartmoors majestic standing stones just below Laughter Tor, entered Bellever forest. Then on through the forest for another mile, finally descending back to the carpark at Postbridge. All agreed that it had been a wonderful day of walking (14.8miles) thanks to the perfect weather and the wonderful condition of the moor.

Sun 21st August. Kingscliffe & The Thickets (photos Roger Conway) walk stats 5 miles, 963ft of climb
A change in starting place nearly resulted in the Leader losing 3 members before we even set off!!, but fortunately everyone turn up (eventually!!). The walk started with a short road section before turning into the Kingscliffe woods and traversing the trees to emerge on the northside and into the cornfields. Our break was taken at a 'stone circle' where the covern held a short meeting (see photo above). The return leg was across some newly opened access land at The Thickets and back through the Kingscliffe woods, which gave welcome shade from the fierce afternoon sun.

Sun 14th August. East Deane Way (photos Stewart Owen) walk stats 15.8 miles
The walk which originated as a possible loop in a planned East Deane Way circumnavigates West Sedge Moor and in perfect conditions the 11 walkers set off beside the River Parrett for Oath. The bird life along the river bank was varied, to the usual odd heron and large family of swans was added the late summer gathering of swallows plus a hobby quartering the levels. At Oath we crossed the river, road and railway before climbing all 36 meters to the top of Oath Hill which gave us a perfect view of the whole of West Sedge Moor that we were to walk round. From there we crossed several fields to the South Drove which took us past the Burton Pynsent Monument and the RSPB Swell Wood Reserve. Our lunch was taken in the corner of an uncut wheat field which several roe deer reluctantly vacated for us. We had a slight problem near Helland where a field of elephant grass blocked our way. I am sure that a path will be cut through this eventually but we chose to walk round the edge rather than get lost in the jungle. We were encouraged by the thought that this bio-fuel was sufficient to negate the whole of North Curry's carbon dioxide output for one year. We continued on along Helland Lane to Huntham where we discovered that householders are not necessarily concerned with the state of stiles and paths around their property. A path beside Sedgemoor Old Rhyne took us to Stoke St Gregory where we had to do some road walking for a while before returning to field paths that took us over the railway line and back to Stathe. As we retraced our path alongside the river back to Burrowbridge we noted how much better the new metal gates with an integrated walkers gate were to get through rather than the rag tag of old and nearly new stiles along the way. We felt great sympathy with our blind walker whom we had had to guide through some very tricky and difficult openings Indeed all of the party, except possibly the tallest, complained loudly at the difficulty of climbing over many of the stiles we had met, including some new squeezer stiles which the one dog definitely did not like..

Fri. 12th August. Around Crowcombe
After a rather delayed start we started off from the Carew Arms Crowcombe, in a southerly direction along a path few had walked before. This part, walking away from the Quantocks was level and easy, many already anticipating an easy ramble. However, within twenty minutes we had returned to the village and this time started our climb going around the north west perimeter of Crowcombe Park. By the time we arrived at the top, walking towards Crowcombe Park Gate, our party had spread out somewhat. We stopped for a while to admire the wonderful view and to allow the slower ones to catch up. With the sun now low on the horizon and behind as we walked, it gave the heather and gorse a greater emphasis of colour. Once we had levelled out, on the top of the Quantocks with fine views each side of us we were able keep together as a group and enjoy a gentle, if uneventful amble back to the Carew Arms. Here, most of us went into the Inn and enjoyed good food and excellent hospitality sharing one long table. A very satisfying end to a charming walk through beautiful countryside on a lovely, late summer’s evening.

Sun 7th August. SW coast path misty repeat (photos Ken Burgess. for larger versions just 'click' on the image)
The party, who had a choice of either a short, half day or a long, full day walk travelled by coach to start walking the South West Coast Path from Osmington Mills on a return trip to walk a section of the SWCP which was in sea mist when we walked it last year. The route starts at the Smugglers Inn where the path is briefly alongside the inn before an easy climb up to the coast path for a panoramic view back to Weymouth and the Isle of Portland. There is then a continuation down to Ringstead before a long comfortable climb up to White Nothe where a stop was made for refreshment. During the climb a visit to the small wooden church of Saint Catherine’s was made. After coffee the party divided with the half day walkers opting for a more leisurely pace to enjoy the Dorset coastal scenery. After White Nothe there is a wonderful undulating walk on the cliff tops of this part of the Heritage Coast passing Bat’s Head, Scratchy Bottom and the much-photographed Durdle Door on the way. A brief stop was made at Durdle Door for ice creams before climbing Hambury Tout and descending to the tourist honey spot at Lulworth Cove for lunch. The long walk then continued round the gravel beach of the cove before climbing back up to the cliffs and then soon entered the area of the MOD Lulworth Firing Ranges. A visit to the Fossil Forestwas an interesting detour before continuing to Mupe Rocks from where the next section up Bindon Hill was clearly visible. The reward for this demanding ascent is clear views inland and to Poole harbour with the Isle of Wight beyond A very steep descent to Arish Mell followed before the second significant climb up to Flower’s Barrow and then the reasonably civilised descent to Worbarrow Tout. Here some walkers elected to take a dip in the bay and then to rejoin the others who had continued on to Tyneham. This village was taken over for military purposes in 1943 and despite promises made at the time the villagers have never been allowed to return. The church and school have been restored and are now museums telling the story of the ‘lost’ village. After the group had re-gathered the walk finished with an unexpected climb up to Whiteway Hill to rejoin the coach which, because of the narrow lanes, had not been prevented from going to Tyneham. Those who opted for the shorter alternative had enjoyed some time at Lulworth Cove where after visiting the Heritage Coast centre, the Cove and the famous Stair Hole more than one type of refreshment had been enjoyed

Wed. 3rd August. Around Luppitt.
Perhaps the word ‘challenging’ in the walk description deterred many people from turning out. Only eight ramblers to turned up, which is very unusual for a Wednesday walk in the summer. This was a pity as the walk, consisting a variety of scenes through quite lanes, droves and narrow footpaths, was very much enjoyed by all those who took part. Starting out from Luppitt, which is a very spread-out village in a very attractive valley in the Blackdown Hills of East Devon, we set off for Hensemoor. Early in the walk we disturbed a small deer which we took to be a Muntjac, it rose only a few feet from us and bounded off, to a more secluded part of the moor. We saw two larger deer (Red Deer perhaps?) later in the walk, looking quite magnificent as they stood proud in the bracken viewing us from less than a hundred yards away. They also moved on but in no great hurry. Much of the route, the ‘challenging’ bit, had not been previously walked by anyone in the group. This part of the path was difficult to find at times, steep in places, very wet in places, very uneven under foot and where it was dry, covered in bracken which came over the heads of the shorter ones amongst us and again, obscured the path in front. But when we eventually emerged into the more open moorland we agreed that it was well worth the effort and we could continue to enjoy the wonderful views of the East Devon countryside. We returned to our cars in the village hall car park at a gentle amble. A very satisfying walk in beautiful countryside.

Ramblers of Taunton Deane

Reports from Walks in August 2005 updated 3rd September 2005