DH, RW, TO, PCL, AC, DL, Sully, Scumpy & Bill
A short trip down the Blackmore Vale today to Marnhull, Dorset’s largest village where six of us met in the car park opposite the village post office. Trevor was keen to unpack his new Pork Pie hat and try it for size and was also somewhat taken aback when being presented with a specially baked (by Sarah) belated birthday cake, which was wisely decided to hang onto until after our walk. After some debate about the need for coats and meteorological advice from Adrian that no rain was forecast, we all headed off with waterproof coats at the ready. It’s not that there was no trust in Adrian, there was no trust in the weather app looking at the dark clouds around us.
Heading through the village past some very nice properties we turned up a driveway that almost looked like we were heading straight for the front door of a large bungalow. Fortunately the track turned in front of the property and we were soon walking down a grass track and into open fields. The view from the gateway looking west over the vale towards Stalbridge was certainly one to be added to the list of great walk views we have had the pleasure of taking in these last couple of years.
It was the first style into the field that caused much trouble this week, narrow, poorly placed steps, nettles and brambles obscuring the way and a large drop on the far side, but we all made it over safely and continued along the ridge line, through a field of very inquisitive young friesians and out towards the road.
It was at this point that Dereyk realised where he was in Marnhull, and wandered down the drive of a house to see if he could bid the occupants a “Good Morning”. Thankfully, he tells us afterwards it was the home of extended family, however there was no answer to his knock and he was soon striding out to catch us up.
We took a right down a country lane and before long we’re loosing height and dropping down towards the River Stour in the bottom. The gate into the field soon caught the attention of the eagle eyed group as a very strange rectangular area had been welded into it. Large enough to pass Sully through, but what was its purpose? 400m down the field and another gate with a similar “hole” in it. This time, not to be out done by a dog and to save the struggle of climbing another style Adrian showed his nimbleness and flexibility and followed Sully through the hole. Maybe they were designed for walkers who don’t fancy climbing styles!
Sully was delighted to be back near water having not found anything last week, and it wasn’t long before he was stirring up the mud on the edges of the River Stour. Still not confident out of his depth he was happy to be just waist deep and cooling off as the rest of us started warming up as the sun was breaking through the clouds. Still no sign of rain. Adrian now buoyed with extra confidence took another unusual route onto the bridge, was there nothing stopping him this week? Bearing right after the bridge we were soon on the outskirts of Gomershay Farm and although there were no livestock to be seen, Sully was put back on the lead. scrumpy being a much better behaved dog was still off as we rounded a corner to see 3 chickens running free in the yard. Unfortunately Scrumpy decided they were about her size and looked far easier to chase that pheasants in the fields, so with her eye on a nice juicy breakfast she decided to give them a run for their money. Thankfully there was no barking and when all the recall training she has endure paid off, she was quickly gathered before any damage was done. 10 yards after putting her on the lead the farmer appeared in the yard, a close call. A quick chat with the farmer about the route through the farm and off we went. The map shows the public right of way going through the middle of the farm buildings, normally in this case that means a gap between cattle sheds, but this week it was right through the middle of a large cow barn, thankfully the stalls were empty as we made our way through.
At the next farm the path is shown as heading diagonally across the fields but we stuck to a good track as we headed towards the large building on the souther edge of Henstridge airfield. At the third farm the path was also unclear so rather than barging our way through to the styles we could see beyond the farm, we politely asked another friendly farmer who pointed out the route we needed to reach the river again. A couple more high tricky styles had Adrian experimenting with his crossing technique, but I don’t think he settled on a particular method at all this week, every crossing a different solution! Sully is also still unsure when needing to be lifted over a style with no dog access through the sheep fencing as he was again this week.
Into the last field and Sully was back by the river, but unnoticed by us all this time it was the Cale he attempted to enter initially, for it is at this point that the River Cale joins the River Stour on its route to the south coast. We were obviously far too focused on reaching the bridge and we walked past this major Blackmore Vale confluence without batting an eye. Onto the bridge for the weeks selfie, then a slow steady plod up the hill to re-enter Marnhull from the west.
A short walk along a very nice residential road, past The Blackmore Vale pub and we were back at the cars. 3.8 miles walked in 2 hours and 720 calories burnt, Time to head to Thymeaftertime for breakfast. A tight squeeze into the corner with three around each of the two tables, and before long we were enjoying our morning snack. Trevor in his haste to tackle a half sausage toast sandwich forgot to allow for gravity and very kindly, and with some huffing and puffing allowed the sausage to drop to the floor where Bill must have thought it was his birthday as well.
All suitable nourished it was back to the cars for a rendition of “Happy Birthday”, well we thought about it, and to share in the freshly baked raspberry filled Victoria sponge cut into six very sizeable pieces. Another enjoyable week was had by all.
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