Present: DH, DL, JB, PCL, CH, PC, RW, Albus and Scrumpy.
Rendezvous : 8:30, Blackmore Vale ( it was an early start this week as it was summer season and comfortably warm)
Dave had popped in with some runner beans earlier in the week and asked if I could plan a local walk for the group as he knew that John and I had already put a few routes together. There it was – bribery by beans! So … I had a chat with John and we came up with a route down Blackmore Vale suitable for this time of year.
Roll call was at 8:32am, with the Pitcombe/Bruton contingent being on time!
Off we went through Southgate Estate and down Moor Lane, picking up Peter’s Path (a memorial to Peter Rochford), past Wincanton’s former refuse tip and through Wincanton Sports Fields towards Common Road.
Having achieved this goal, we crossed Common Road and climbed over a stile into the fields opposite, heading south towards Lower Horwood Farm. We had been lead into a false sense of security as the stiles here were good; they deteriorated rapidly as our journey continued into ram-shackle and rotten, badly in need of repair, held up by bits of string and often accompanied by vicious brambles – obviously climbing over them did us no favours. They were clearly not designed for intrepid walkers of a senior age!
This all slowed us down considerably as attention to wounds was required and a dishevelled look gradually settled on the group. Coupled with this, if not once then several times, Albus’s lead fell out of my pocket and needed retrieving by various members of the group. Surprisingly, and pleasantly, the views and scenery were lovely. Then again, the Blackmore Vale is one of the least spoilt places in England and is part of the countryside that inspired Thomas Hardy, with its lush clay vales mainly given over to pasture, its even pattern of hedged fields scattered stands of trees and dense hedgerows.
From Lower Horwood Farm, we continued over ankle-breaking ( though luckily not on this occasion) ground, pot-holed by cattle in the previously wet weather. We met a herd of young cattle who took an active interest in Albus and Scrumpy and followed us across the field. On the top side of the farm we turned North East and climbed steadily to 112m, past an enclosed pond screened by trees, stopping for a short lolly break at the top. As usual we all admired the view; the new bio farm being built at Brain’s Farm and the knock on chaos of pipe-laying in Wincanton to service this became part of the conversation. Once suitably rested we began the homeward stretch towards Shaftesbury ( Stoke Trister) Lane where we were surprised to find an actual, functioning gate in good condition. However, having climbed through the gate we were confronted with what is an increasing blight on the landscape – fly tipping!
Crossing the road to a proper, brand new gate ( lead not dropped) we climbed the hill steadily towards Stileway Farm, picking up footpaths very familiar to dog walkers from Greenway Close.
From this, the highest point on our walk, we descended steadily down to the track at Snag Farm and through the new plantation where the group were surprised when, 15 minutes before expected arrival at their destination, Deryck received a text requesting their orders for breakfast.
Breakfast orders taken, we continued down Snag Lane, picking up the bridge over the A303 and eventually back to Blackmore Chase, duly arriving at Deryck’s at 10:45 am.
Luckily the sun was shining and we were all able to sit out in the garden, relaxing into soft seating while nattering about family, holidays ( past and planned) while enjoying a fantastic breakfast (prepared by Maureen) of bacon baps and croissants washed down by copious amounts of tea and coffee. (Maureen didn’t get much chance to sit down as questions were asked about the plants and requests for cuttings of the same were made as the group admired her garden).
Walk : 2 hours 10 minutes
Distance covered : 3.5 – 4 miles ( shorter than anticipated because of state of fences)
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