Joan G, assisted by Claire (and with a silent backstop of Terry) led us on a beautifully cold and clear day up, down and around the hills to the south of Hawkridge reservoir, Lydeard Hill and Aisholt. The fitter amongst us took a loop via the Highlands (see photo) to finish. We even enjoyed a warm lunch in the sun sitting on the bank.

Seven miles or thereabouts.

13 Ramblers and 3 dogs set out from Lydeard Hill car park on a pleasantly cool but sunny December afternoon crossing over Lydeard Hill and descending down to the track to take us past Durborough Farm to join the road before ascending Watery Lane and back in the sunshine to enjoy a sort break and take in the view, one of our more observant members had his eyes open and spotted two grazing deer. The walk continued past Light Gate and on to the track from Triscombe Stone to take us to the highest point of the Quantocks, at Wills Neck (386 metres). Returning to Lydeard Hill through the woods. An enjoyable and pleasant 5½ mile walk.

(Jim Hurst)

On a bright cold but crisp afternoon only eight ramblers and a dog set off from Milverton on the last walk of Taunton Deane Rambler's Autumn Programme. They crossed the main Taunton road and turned westward along the footpath parallel to the by-pass. After climbing around a farmer's slurry pit there was precious little mud on their way around the scenic hillside to the Fitzhead road. As is common to most small group's conversation topics varied far and wide, but with a good pace set, most breath was reserved for the hills.
 Re-crossing the main road, the group climbed to a good vantage point and enjoyed fine views in the sunset towards Wiveliscombe and the Brendon Hills beyond. A small cheer was raised at the top of the hill when the leader announced :it's all downhill from here.
Re-entering Milverton, walkers paused at the church to inspect the wide variety of graves on show, many of which were well kempt. Still in good light walkers arrived back at the car park.

Next Sunday's short walk explores one of the ridges and part of the valley of the upper Tone. If it is clear, great views are on offer.

With the prospect of a fairly flat walk in dry conditions a dozen walkers plus dog (a delightful golden retriever. (But not as delightful as a Basset Hound: Editor) assembled at Hillfarrance church for a 5.5 mile walk. Most were pleased to hear that the original route contained a footpath closure,so a new route of only four miles was proposed. With the leader catching up with news from a former old boy of the group walkers soon got ahead of the leader (not for the first time), and had to trail back when they missed a hidden stile. Heading off across several large cropped fields towards the main railway line, the long haired retriever was soon after pheasants, but responded immediately to his owner’s call (what a refreshing change!) (Do we need these ignorant remarks?)
  No trains were encountered on the line,so the next bit of excitement occurred when the group met a family of mountain bikers who were a bit lost. Both groups were soon heading for the Allerford Inn, but paused to enjoy views of the Tone en route.
  A short break was taken at Pontispool where the leader, improvising as he often did on walks (how true), decided to lengthen the walk by taking a diversion along the old Taunton to Barnstaple railway line. The route took in some interesting duck ponds and barn conversions at Harnham Farm before re-crossing the railway route on its way to Oake Green.
Though the following field edge was poorly drained and a little muddy, it was good to report that this was the exception, and, after this wet Autumn it was almost exceptional to return to the cars by the church ,still in good light, and with precious little to clean off one's boots. Sadly there was no tea shop on hand to round off the occasion.

John Ollerenshaw

Walk leader Dave Patten reports that while he tries to make his walks interesting, this one was packed with more incidents than usual, from animal rescue to a mutiny. Starting from outside Street YHA 14 + 3 dogs ambled along in dry but chilly weather to the Hood Monument. Despite the dull day the views were still extraordinary. A Former Naval Person in the party told us that there were several Samuel Hoods, all of whom became Admirals or Vice Admirals, but the only son who didn't drowned as a vicar. (Moral: put not thy faith in the Lord?).
 Nearing Butleigh a stranded lamb was spied trapped in a ditch, boldly rescued by John O who plunged in up to, or beyond, his gaiters. Once rescued the lamb was seen to be blind and turned in circles. (Mutterings were made about farmers who don't look after their stock . . . ) From there they sighted some deer, to the delight of the Bassets, who set off in hot pursuit. In Butleigh the group boldly marched through a garden and garage to rediscover a disguised footpath. The group then plunged into uncharted woods for two miles with lunch taken on bursting clear overlooking Somerton. Another two miles and the leader gave two options : Either walk for ¼ mile along the dangerous road or follow me across two fields that have not yet been designated a footpath. As he says "I was surprised to see that only six sensibly followed me up to the ridge. We were then somewhat amused to see the party below us miss the path and follow their own route up to the ridge, also without the benefit of a recognised path. Ah well."
 The finishing miles around Compton Dundon were relatively uneventful till the last steep hill where the group again split, some opting to follow the marked path through one of the largest houses in the area while the more timorous followed the leader around the field.

Starting out from the car park at Steps Bridge walkers passed the Youth Hostel as they climbed up through Bridford Woods to Lower and Middle Heltor Farms to enjoy their first views over Dartmoor. After a short descent through Westcott Wood and fording a stream the steep climb to Mardon Down was rewarded by further views over the moor. Continuing to Butterton Down a sheltered spot was found for a lunch stop before continuing to visit the remains of the iron age hilltop fort Cranbrook Castle with the first views of the deep valley of the River Teign and the national Trust property at Castle Drogo. Brief stops were made on the steep descent to the river through Hancombe and Charles Woods to enjoy views of the gorge with the trees resplendent in their autumn colours. A brief stop was made at Fingle Bridge to admire the setting before walkers followed the river, with sightings of wagtails and dippers, as it meandered and splashed its way over numerous small waterfalls to Clifford and then Steps Bridge.

Ken Burgess

On probably the last day of summer a select if occasionally grumpy group followed, and occasionally led, the nominal leader D Patten on an interesting walk from Axbridge through the Cheddar tunnel (timetable checked), up and down to Cross. Then up to Crook Peak where we admired the R/C gliders with 10ft wingspan soaring aloft.

Then along the ridge while The Bassets wallowed, or perhaps were pushed, into some belly deep mud to cross the A38 and ascend steeply again to the ridge above Cheddar reservoir, formerly known to some as the Axbridge Reservoir. An innovative short-cut led via a convenient cattle trough and through some unkind gorse to exactly above the car-park that the leader intended despite the mockings of the party.

Possible the best cream tea ever, yes with real tea, not bags, was then enjoyed and even the last scone was left forlorn on the table.

Eleven walkers plus Eric the Guide Dog set out last Sunday on the first leg of the MacMillan Way West.  Starting from the house in which Douglas MacMillan   had lived in Castle Cary the group were first treated to some background information from Peggy with additional help from a passer by.  The rain was falling steadily but the anticipated heavy onslaught did not materialize and within an hour waterproof layers were shed and the remainder of the day was pleasantly warm and dry.  Underfoot was another matter though with rain sodden fields, deep squelchy mud and innumerable slippery stiles to contend with.  There were large juicy blackberries to enjoy though whilst waiting to climb over the stiles. 

The lunch break, taken in a green lane, was interrupted by a 4x4 bearing the slogan ‘Aid for the Balkans’.  Another satnav misdirection we wondered? 

13.2 miles of Somerset farmland and picturesque villages had been covered by the time the walkers reached Somerton and their cars.  Stage 2 will follow in November.

A select group of nine enjoyed what may prove to be the last day of summer rambling round Chew Valley under the guidance of Sally Childs fortified by her mother's excellent cake. The morning proved uneventful for all except the writer, who managed to be felled to the ground by impaling himself on a low branch (moral: don't wear sunglasses in a darkly wood). Blood was drawn.

Doubtless still concussed he then managed to electrocute himself while coaching the Bassets over the 59th stile and trying to make sense of John O's no doubt well meant advice to "get your leg over this."

The walk finished along, over and through what Sally claimed was a Roman road while the rest of us thought it a pity they hadn't invented chain-saws while they were about it (see picture). Lovely views of the reservoir were enjoyed as we descended towards the finish.

(Photos: D Patten)

A glorious sunny afternoon as the 19 walkers plus 4 dogs set off through the woods at Brockwell and a short sharp climb to reach the Dunster Path and the open moorland on the eastern slopes of Dunkery Hill. A short break was taken at Webbers Post to admire the views before dropping down through the beech woodland to the pretty village of Horner. The celebratory cream tea was taken here before the party completed the day and the whole walk across the pack horse bridge up to the ridge with super views to Bossington Hill and the last down hill into Porlock. Linda and the minibus were waiting for us and after the obligatory walk finish photo home we went.

The Coleridge Way is 36 miles through the very best countryside that Somerset can offer and was completed in 8 stages. 12 members qualified for completion certificates from the walk guardians.

(Photos: Roger)

At last summer has arrived for the Friday evening walks. Gathering by the pretty medieval bridge at Culmstock the signing in and supper ordering preliminaries were soon completed and the group moved off along the lane through Millmoor, over the route of the former Culm Valley Railway and the smashing new footbridge across the meandering River Culm to the fields. We were quickly across the Hemyock road and the started uphill. The leader received a real ‘smack on the bum’ from an electric fence keeping the horses corralled but that just spurred him on to the top. After passing Hill View Farm the party entered the woods and experienced the ‘real’ Blackdowns – mixed woodland and black mud. Eventually we started downhill, through Bowhayes and Hillmoor and reached the village just as dusk was falling. We changed our boots and drove a couple of miles to enjoy the normal Friday evening supper at the Poachers Pocket.

Photos from Roger: Culmstock beacon from Hill View.

The morning’s rain had stopped as the group gathered at Nether Stowey car park and it was then that the leader informed the party that they were about to become film extras. Taunton Deane Ramblers are to issue a promotional DVD, based on the National Ramblers one, but with extra bits to show a flavour of our locality. Gareth, a professional TV cameraman, arrive on cue and the briefing began.
  Firstly we went down the other end of the village to have some shots of Coleridge Cottage and Castle Street, during which we were able to rescue a lady in distress (I’ve always wanted to write that) who’s electric buggy had run out of power.
   After half an hour’s delay we set off on the walk proper and firstly to Stowey Castle, where we had several ‘takes’ of our merry band striding across the ramparts. Gareth is not silly and rather than carry his equipment up hill he agreed to meet us at Walford’s Gibbet for the next ‘shot’.
   He may have a super 4x4 off roader, but we got to the point quicker than him, in fact the leader even had time to give a history lesson about the unfortunate John Walford and his demise.
   A little bit of back tracking to get the best images of the walkers & Archie the dog trudging up hill before Neil gave an interview extolling the virtues of walking with the Ramblers as an inexpensive, social and enjoyable way of keeping fit in the glorious Somerset countryside (what a scriptwriter this man has!) Gareth then went off to ‘shot’ pretty scenes and we got on with the walk. 
  The uphill continued right up to the top of the iron age hill fort of Dowsborough with it’s incredible views, although the mist did restrict the further away sights of Dunkery, Steepholm, Brean Down & the Brecon’s that are visible from here on a clear day.
   The return downhill was past the 5 lords and through Bin Combe. Half way down we found a metal safe that had been jemmied and all sorts of speculation was suggested as to origin and contents. On reaching the road we passed around the base of Stowey Castle and back down Castle Street to the car park.
   The finished DVD will be ‘premiered’ at the AGM in November, so don’t miss it.

(Photos from Roger)

From the lay-by there was a short walk along the road before turning, with wonderful clear views

over the estuary and across to Wales, towards Eastern Wood to follow the wooded perimeter before descending over two streams and passing a small waterfall into the wood. The first point of interest was the crossing the part of the former Mineral Line Railway known as The Incline, a three quarter mile section with a gradient of 1 in 4 where railway trucks traveled from the hill tops down to the bottom of the valley. Continuing through the woods a long descent led to the first resting place to admire what is understood to be the highest natural waterfall in Exmoor in full flow after the recent rains. There then followed a tortuous climb, similar to The Incline, on a permissive path through Western Cliff Wood with walkers pausing to regain their breath on the ascent. A second break was taken at the top to recuperate before continuing on the lanes to Smithays Corner and then the Naked Boy Stone. This ancient parish boundary marker is reputably so called because of the tradition of pulling a lad’s trousers down and beating him during the annual Beating of the Bounds to ensure that he would remember the position of the parish boundary. Nearby is the site of the Naked Boy Bridge where the lane crossed The Mineral Line with the former railway cutting clearly evident below. After another short section of road walking a field was crossed leading to Beverton Pond, which is the source of the River Tone. Continuing on the way walkers formed a group to cross a field occupied by several cows and a magnificent brown bull who was more interested in his lady friends than the walking group. Continuing on paths across fields with intermittent short sections of lane walkers returned the Raleghs Cross after an energetic scenic walk with several points of interest.

(Photos: Ken Burgess)

On the last Sunday in August 30 Taunton Deane Ramblers spent an interesting day exploring the tiny island of Steepholm in the Bristol Channel. Setting off in mist and drizzle to drive to Weston Super Mare the day did not look too promising but by the time they boarded the Bristol Queen the rain had stopped and the air was clear. On calm seas the journey to Steepholm took an hour and once everyone had safely descended the gangplank to the landing beach they dispersed into smaller groups.

Now a Nature Reserve owned by the Kenneth Allsop Trust the island has been a site of fortification since Roman times and there was evidence in plenty of Victorian and WW2 artillery works. It was also the site of a medieval priory and a very interesting talk about life on the island in those times was given by one of the volunteers.

Some of the ramblers met a botanist who was collecting beetles from the carcass of a dead seagull and from him they learnt that there are 1800 types of insect on the island. Cave spiders with their eggs were seen in great numbers in the underground ammunition stores but no one managed a sighting of the Muntjac deer which were introduced to the island some years ago.
This was a good way for ‘all day’ and ‘half day’ walkers to meet up for otherwise they rarely meet.

Dilys gets her feet wet

(Photos from Wendy)

Sunday 31st August: Coleridge Way stage 7, Wheddon Cross to Brockwell

As we were picking up Basil at Ralegh’s Cross the missal was closing in and all the cars had

headlights on and it was with a little foreboding that we set off to the walk start at Wheddon Cross. Pulling up in the car park the weather was definitely lifting and by the time we were walking past Raleigh Manor Hotel there were even glimpses of the sun.

The section of the walk leads the unwary into a false sense of security as the path meanders through the woods and down the new cut path to the banks of the River Arrow and the riverside path up to the ford. It is then that the uphill starts and gets steeper and steeper for the next ¾ mile. Out onto the open moor, across to spangate and then to drop down to the bottom of Hanny Combe before another sharp climb to reach Mick’s path and the final stretch of the day to Brockwell and the pleasant sight of the minibus waiting for us.

Back to Wheddon Cross for, the now traditional, cream tea.

(Photos from Roger)

A memorable walk in deepest Dorset. Memorable, for though the calendar says August, the 15 strong group faced several hundred yards of the deepest mud any could remember. Starting from Powerstock a hidden village near Bridport, the party walked to Loders, Mangerton and round through Maperton gardens, 12 miles altogether. Walk leader Dave Patten had walked the route three weeks before and knew parts would be mucky, but the recent rains had created something approaching a swamp.

"One path led through a farmyard and then I had managed to walk on the crust of pure slurry. This time the rains turned it into every rambler's nightmare. My Basset Hounds were belly deep in slurry, and to add more spice, there was an electric fence that inevitably someone clutched. Oh dear."

Being Dorset, the route led up and down – some said more up than down – and also against an unclimbable wire fence, that defied the Dorset waymark on the post. Still Taunton Deane Ramblers are nothing if not resourceful, and a way was found that satisfied everyone.

In surprisingly good humour the group did finish the walk, but not without a few mutterings about farmers who don't scrape their stock yards.