| Sunday 31st December 2006. Glastonbury | ||
| Six hardy members of the Taunton Deane Ramblers set out from West Pennard across flat farmland to the foot of Glastonbury Tor. Climbing the path the wind was strong but nothing compared with the blast once they reached the top. Sheltering in the tower the view was not particularly spectacular due to the clouds but the Hood Monument was visible and at least it was not raining! The full force of the wind was felt on the downward path but dropped once they were at the foot of the Tor. The way lead back across fields again crossing the oddly named Ponter Ball - a linear earthwork, possibly of Iron Age date. Back in the village the walkers were joined by five additional members for an afternoon's walk which climbed up Scottles Lane to walk along Pennard Hill ridge. It was only when turning back along the south side of the hill that the showers started but luckily the rain held off until all were safely in their cars and driving home. | ||
| Sunday
24th December 2006. Dinnington (photo Roger Conway) walk stats 3.8 miles 194ft of climb |
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The Legionnaires march the Fosseway again |
| The traditional Christmas Eve walk attracted a bumper turnout of 24 walkers from of both Taunton Deane and South Somerset Groups. An earlier start this year ensured that we returned to 'The Docks' in good time for the Carol Service, although there were mutterings that we did not pause for long enough in the 'amonites' field to allow for some serious collecting. Most of the group stayed on for the Service of 9 Carols and 3 lessons, not to mention the dialect stories from the MC. | ||
| Friday & Saturday 8th & 9th
December 2006. Halsway Manor Christmas Dinner and walk (photos Roger Conway) |
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| Happy Eaters with funny hats |
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| 49 members attended the dinner at Halsway Manor, where the evening was completed with an hour's Country Dancing to music and calling from Alan & Christine Corkett together with the Chairman, Roger Conway. A dozen took advantage of a special B&B price to stay the night in this wonderful Elizabethan manor house and on Saturday morning another 4 members arrived to walk to Dead Woman Ditch and back. from Halsway Manor the first 800ft was almost straight up, but after pausing to get our breath back we were able to take advantage of clear skys and sunshine as we crossed 'the top'. A short drinks stop at DWD where several of the company cast envious looks at the Morgan car that arrived. The home run was down through the woods and up to Crowcombe Park Gate, along the Great Road to Halsway Post, down Halsway Combe and along the lane back to the Manor | ||
| Peter learns the steps & Roger calls the dance (pay attention Peter & Jan!!) |
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stats 5.8 miles 1,004ft of climb & views of Hinkley
Point all up for the last dance |
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| Sunday 3rd December 2006. Samaritans Way loop |  |
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| Heavy showers and the remains of a serious gale from the previous night reduced numbers to eight hardy souls. We set out in a heavy downpour but none climbed back into their car. A walk through the Kennisham Hill Forestry Commission woods, heading in the direction of Luxborough, brought us to a normally pretty stream but now in daunting flood which had to be crossed. Negotiated without mishap, the mud, anything but glorious, was a bigger preoccupation. Past an impressive Chargot House, briefly joining the Churchtown road, we went back onto muddy track to commence the climbing part of the walk where we were met by high, high winds. But the lowering clouds gave way to a butter-wouldn't-melt-in-its-mouth smiling blue sky including a superb rainbow reaching down to the valley far below. All agreed that the panoramic views were something special and we paused there for our break the winds notwithstanding. As the sun began to disappear, we commenced a steady descent across the fields, accompanied by the return of the clouds and showers, back to the Kennisham woods and the car park. | ||
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