Saturday 4th May ‘24. DH & CH
Clearly the majority of the group had far better things to do this Bank Holiday weekend than walk and talk, but feeling like we were back in Covid restrictions Chris and myself decided we would go and stretch our legs anyway. With their being no dogs this week, it opened up the opportunity to visit a dog ‘unfriendly’ cafe and so with a misty start to the day, I picked up Chris for the short drive down to Stalbridge. It was a slow run along the A357 as we got stuck behind an old Volvo 740 estate car towing a stricken 08 reg Volvo V50 estate on what looked like an old tie down strap. Neither appeared used to towing and I amazed they didn't bump into each other or even rip off the tow strap as they lurched from a slack strap to a tight one.
We parked at the far end of the Dikes carpark and with it still being a bit cool opted to start with jackets on. We turned right on the main road and then down Lower Road past the old Stalbridge Arms, now trading as the 'Safron Stalbridge', an Indian restaurant and takeaway. We turned left along Jarvis Way and after about 100 metres took a right turn onto a track with a sign pointing towards 'the trailway'. Chris had previously attempted to cycle parts of the old S & D line so knew about this accessible section, however as we passed a long the back of some residential properties we were both a bit shocked to come across a sign for the Stalbridge Nature reserve. Although we didn't stop to look any further the info on the website here explains a bit about it and the trailway.
We followed the path around the pumping station and came to the old track bed which forms part of the 700m long trailway. We were heading out east into the vale and so headed for the stile at the far side of the track. On the fencepost was a waymarker that I have not seen before on any of our walks, indicating the direction of The White Heart Link path. A bit of time on Google on our return and I discover that this is in fact a 50 mile / 80 km walking route which has been devised as a circular link taking in the five market towns of North Dorset and the villages between. Using existing public rights of way and quiet lanes, it passes through some of the iconic countryside of the Blackmore Vale. But why has it been named the White Hart Link? Well according to the website set up to promote the route which was completed in September 2019, the Blackmore Vale was once known as the Vale of the White Hart. Legend has it that a white stag that was protected by Henry III was killed by a bailiff of Blackmore Forest. He was fined and imprisoned and the vale paid a fine of White Hart Silver for many years. A leaflet with more information about the route can be downloaded here.
Our route along this section of the 6 mile leg between Stalbridge and Sturminster Newton took us into prime agricultural and farming land and as we have come to expect this year, there were many areas where the crops were submerged and we picked our way carefully across the high spots to keep ourselves out of the mud and water. We crossed between fields but had to backtrack a bit at one point after getting to a field corner with no way through, having previously failed to notice the path passed through a small gateway. Going around the edge of another one with intermittent growth we were joined by a old brown Labrador who ran across to greet us, unfortunately no treats in pockets this week so he quickly turned around and took a more leisurely stroll back to his owners. The approach to Gomershay Farm was along a track which initially had concrete blocks, almost like railway sleepers across it. A bit further on it became a lot softer with what felt like carpet or felt laid down, but with the occasional white lines on it, it could possibly have been some old repurposed tartan running track.
In the farm yard we stopped for a few minutes to chat to the old farmer about the improvement (at last) to the weather and he told us that in all his years of farming ( he was perhaps in his 70s), he has never seen the area so wet. He also said that as it’s dried quite well he at least has managed to get all his cattle out at last. We bid him farewell and took the track through the middle of the empty barns and saw a good herd of young cows in the next field. Although the stile should have taken us into their field we stayed on the outside of the wire fence until we could cross into an area they did not have access to and then headed across to our next farm. We approached Crib House Farm from the south west and as we had been walking over 45 minutes at this stage I opted to cut the planned walk a bit short by taking the track northwards and then turn in a westerly direction to start heading back to Stalbridge. There were signs in Dikes car park about only being allowed to par’moor 2 hours so we wanted to get back and have our breakfast before we encroached into the time limit. The track came out at Triangle Farm and again rather than take the longer route through the fields we stuck to the road and headed for the church tower in the distance. All the early morning mist had now cleared and it was considerably warmer than when we started. We had some great views see right around the vale, to Henstridge airfield and Gibbs Marsh trading estates in the north, the ridgeline of Marnhull in the east and as far south as the hills around Bulbarrow in the south. There was very Iittle traffic on the road which allowed us to up the pace, even making it to 4 miles an hour at some points.
The route back into Stalbridge took us past the old sidings and station area now occupied by the town timber merchants. Climbing up towards the High Street we passed the entrance to a 16th century farm yard which is now called The Gugg and houses a Community Interest Company Farm Arts complex. Formed in the last few years their goal is to provide opportunities for everyone, from residents to visitors, to explore creativity at all levels. It is named after the old farm and previous road name and is not to be confused with the similar named Guggenheim museum!
We completed our 4.3 miles in only 95 minutes at an average pace of 22 minutes per mile, some 8 to 10 minutes faster than our average Saturday pace and made our way into the store and through to the area of Williams cafe. We opted for a table in the conservatory and placed our orders for the eggs Benedict with bacon for Chris and black pudding for myself. I then took the opportunity to check on the parking restrictions but was told it’s just
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