Saturday 14th September. DH, RW, PCl, CH & Scrumpy
A cool but bright late summer morning saw just four of us meet at the Dorset village of Motcombes recreational ground car park for the first ever start from this wonderful village. The site is next to the Memorial Hall but unfriendly signs on the building meant we weren’t quite sure if we were allowed to park there. The area looked really well kept and we headed out on a slab path past the recent addition of a new village amenity, The Clock Hall. There was none of the usual rubbish often found littering public spaces as we crossed by the kids play area heading out in a North Easterly direction. Before we left Phil had been persuaded to dispense of his bright red three season coat and as the temperature was quickly climbing it looked like being a good bit of advice.
We crossed through a well maintained gate into another large field as we got into our stride heading away from the village. Crossing a minor road and with a slight adjustment to a more easterly direction we continued towards the large wooded area of Kingsettle Woods on the ridge-line to the north of Shaftesbury which is a clearly recognisable skyline when looking eastwards from much of the Blackmore Vale.
Although we have walked in areas of the Gillingham Royal Forest this is the first time I have seen any signs of gateposts. Thankfully all the crossing points were came to were in very good condition and certainly put a lot of other areas in which we have walked to shame. The sun was shining on our backs as we continued climbing although at one point the lead duo were too keen to push ahead before we realised that we have gone a bit too high whilst looking for our next gateway. However when we turned around to look at the view, it was certainly worth it, (for those who could see past the power lines and poles in front of us) The view to the West was simply stunning and it’s quite amazing that this was the very first time after four years of walking that we have been in this area and able to enjoy such a view.
After the obligatory groupie we dropped the extra height we had gained and heading through a flock of sheep passed by the side of North Hayes Farm. Coming out onto the small farm track we spotted a well laden apple tree with a good number of rosy red apples just waiting to be picked. With the large numbers of fallers and attendant wasps it was clear the tree wasn’t picked regularly so we all selected a nice one each to munch on as we continued down the track. At one point we heard a vehicle approaching and like naughty schoolboy scrumpers we quickly hid the apples as it drove past. With no candy supply this week (which we clearly missed), it was suggested that maybe we should abide by the group name - the health walks, and have more nutritional items each week. Apples and blackberries are readily to hand at this time of year but not sure Dereyk, or Maureen would be happy to provide a regular supply throughout the year. Especially with Phil suggesting nice juicy nectarines and Chris opting for the more exotic kumquats, I think it’s probably a suggestion that’s dead in the water before it even starts.
At the end of the lane Phil spotted a beautiful butterfly on the hedge and with a bit of whistling from Richard I swiftly grabbed a shot of it as it spreads its wings for us. It’s wing pattern identified it as a Red Admiral.
The Red Admiral is a large and strong-flying butterfly and common in gardens. This familiar and distinctive insect may be found anywhere in Britainand in all habitat types.
Starting each spring and continuing through the summer they fly in from North Africa and continental Europe. The immigrant females lay eggs and consequently there is an emergence of fresh butterflies, from about July onwards. They continue flying into October or November and are typically seen nectaring on garden buddleias or flowering Ivy and on rotting fruit.
We skirted across the top of Motcombe and paused to admire both a Triumph Dolomite which was on the road but looking very tired and then both a Humber Sceptre and another unidentified vehicle, possibly a Lotus or Triumph tugged away in an open fronted garage. There was much talk about our early car experiences but Richards attention was soon drawn to a property on the opposite side of the road offering a few personal services including a spot of High Frequency massages and some laser skin treatments. Thankfully for the rest of us, the particular bits he though needed this specific attention he chose not to reveal. That would have been a thought too far to ever etch from the memories! Luckily the view across to Duncliffe woods allowed us to change the topic quickly and combined with a lovely old milestone showing the distance to both Shaftesbury Town Hall and Mere Market Hall any cosmetic treatment thoughts were soon forgotten.
We turned left and followed a small track by the side of some woods running parallel to the main village road. Whilst walking along this my thoughts turned to famous Motcombe residents and I eventually remembered it as being the home and operating base of a certain former military explorer, Colonel John Blashford Snell.
I attended one of his talks a few years ago about his journey from Bolivia down the Amazon in a reed boat called the Kota Mama. A totally enthralling evening with wonderful stories of success mixed with many moments of ‘calculated risk’. He is now in his late 80s but must be remembered for setting up Operation Drake, later to become Op Raleigh, and the many opportunities for young folks to carry out adventurous expeditions in all corners of the world. He also founded and still runs the Scientific Exploration Society (SES), a British grant-giving charity dedicated to exploring and conserving the planet.
At a gate on our left we turned into the area known as Motcombe Meadows, a semi nature reserve which is now doubt a haven for the local wildlife. We cut through the middle of it before turning left back towards the village. Coincidentally I have subsequently discovered that rather appropriately the HQ of SES backs onto this meadow area. We headed towards an owl box atop a large pole, from which the inhabitants would be able to survey the land and pond for tasty meals, before exiting through a gap in the corner and out onto a small track. Once at the main road, it was then just a half mile stretch through the village and past the Post Office with its attached cafe and we were back at the cars after a really good walk of three and a half miles completed in just over 100 minutes.
Originally the plan at this point was to head into Shaftesbury to sit at the top of Gold Hill for breakfast, but during the walk I had made a call to a new (for us) cafe in Gillingham so we jumped in the car and headed that way. Clearly the car park was not big enough for us all but once Richard had settled on his third choice spot, he and Phil soon joined Chris and myself on a small corner table partly in the sun. A good menu gave us a bit of a dilemma but in the end Phil and myself went for the A303 (large) whilst Richard opted for the B3081 (small). Chris went for the unnamed veggie options (suggestions as to what that could be called on the back of a postcard please)! Before our food arrived the very helpful and friendly staff put a couple of tables together to give us more room and allow us all to enjoy the morning sunshine for a bit longer. With a good helping of additional black pudding, drinks included and fast and cheery service, this is definitely another watering hole to add to the list for a return visit sometime soon.
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