The Rambling Sheep
  • Home
  • Photography
    • The Jurassic Coast
    • Poole Harbour
    • The Lake District
    • The Air Show
    • Sark
    • Birds
  • Walks
    • Meet Wednesday's Walkers
  • Wet Weather Walks
  • Walkers' Blog
  • Canals
    • Breaking Bread
    • The Warwickshire Ring
    • Oliver's Travels
  • Links
  • Cape Warbler
  • Videos
  • Books

Not many new walks

2/7/2020

0 Comments

 
On 15 November 2016 our dear friend Rob became a Sky Walker.
In Jume 2017 Clive had a stroke and is still in a nursing home.
Ray complained of chest pains for months before Peter finally convinced him to see the doctor.  He has recently had some stents fitted.
During "Lockdown" Peter has been walking around the local area.

It was a bit of a surprise to see that the last walk on the blog was now more than a year old but when any more might be added is anyone's guess.

I have however managed to transfer the gpx files for over 300 walks we did between 2004 and 2015 onto my latest mapping software so I may at some time add a few older routes.  Unfortunately many of them have very little in the way of information on the route and some none at all.  Perhaps a task for cold, dark winter evenings!

It's good to hear that at least one group is getting some enjoyment from following our walks.
0 Comments

Hamptworth

25/4/2019

0 Comments

 
Date:
Location:
Distance:
Parking:
Lunch:

25 April 2019
Hamptworth
4.5 miles
Near Golf Course
​Bat and Ball Breamore
There’s a small lay-by just outside the Hamptworth Golf Club that seems a reasonable place to park.  There is an alternative place opposite the Cuckoo Pub from where a parallel path could be taken.

The semi made up track beside the club house leads to Sandford Lodge but our walk took us across a small footbridge and then along the edge of the golf course.  This is a very pleasant stroll through the woods with a few bluebells scattered among the trees.  Turning west at the “cross roads” we very soon came across masses more bluebells on both sides of the path all through the area of the Langley Wood National Nature Reserve.  This was really delightful walking on a day when the sun broke intermittently through the clouds and really brought the woodland to life.
Picture
A Promising Start
Picture
Almost A River
Picture
Proper English Bluebells
Picture
What A Great Walk
Picture
Any Spot Will Do
We found a well placed log to sit and have refreshments and noticed that a few buebells had even managed to plant themselves on the fallen trunks.
After we crossed the road we found ourselves in quite different terrain walking on a damp grassy track on the edge of the fields.  We soon entered another wooded area but still quite damp under foot.  At Little Mount we joined a path which was signed the Wiltshire Cycleway which came as a bit of a surprise. According to the Wiltshire ~Council web site http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/leisure-wiltshire-cycle-ways  the Wiltshire Cycleway does not go anywhere to the east of the A338 - update needed?
Picture
Really?
From here we were back onto very pleasant wooded paths until we came to some more open fields close to our start point.  Here we saw one of the biggest herds of deer we have ever seen on a walk.  They were strung out in a long line across the field.  As we approached they vanished into the woods through a large gap in the fence and we could see no trace of them as we passed.
Picture
A Line Of Deer
This was a rather short walk as a result of feeble feet and gurgling guts.

We then drove to Jim Dawes’ World Garden Plants in West Wellow to pick up a quite large bamboo and then on to The Bat and Ball at Breamore for a very good lunch.
Picture
0 Comments

Bere Regis

28/2/2019

0 Comments

 
Date:
Location:
Distance:
Parking:
Lunch:

28 February 2019
Bere Regis
5.1 miles
Town car park - free
​Drax Arms
There is a very good free car park in Bere Regis.  Travel west along West Street passing the Drax Arms on the right, turn left into Manor Farm Road and then take the first left into Turberville Road.  The car park is at the end on the right.

We set off from here and made our way along a few paths that lead down to Elder Road where we turned left to join Southbrook Road and then first right into Southbrook Road.  The Hardy Way starts at the corner of Southbrook Road by the cemetery although we could not see a Hardy Way sign.  We followed the Hardy Way to Turners Puddle but found the route over Black Hill a little difficult to find at the start.  The rain started to become a bit heavier as we reached the top of the hill and continued to come and go with quite a few sharp showers until we turned right at Yearling’s Drove.

We had come across a couple of quite muddy patches on the stretch from Damer Hill to Turners Puddle.  We had not expected this as it seemed to have been quite dry warm weather recently.  When we crossed the bridge by the watercress beds we found that the water was flowing really fast so a lot of water had come from somewhere!
Picture
Elf Caps

​The rain stopped just as we found somewhere to sit and enjoy the pork pies Ray found in his rucksack and spotted  a few elf cap fungi growing by the path.  This was the first time it was dry enough to get the camera out.

​As we turned into Spears Lane we found that some kind sole had left a few pieces of furniture there for the use of tired walkers.  We were not impressed.  It was an easy flat walk from here back to the car and we arrived back just before 13:00.
Picture
Disgraceful
We walked the few yards from the car park to the Drax Arms where we had a good meal though prices seem to have crept up a bit since our last visit.  The service was quick and very good but there were not very many customers.​

After lunch we paid a short visit to St John’s Church which has a superb 15th Century nave roof.  There is a notice inviting visitors to “light up” the roof and a series of lights pointing upwards but unfortunately we were unable to find a switch.  See https://www.britainexpress.com/attractions.htm?attraction=4556​ for more information.
Picture
St John's Church
Picture
Unusual Roof Ornamentation
Picture
The Interior
Just for fun I used a "rambling man" figure as the track log icon and included it in the image below.  The icons are usually "hidden" but I thought it was time for something different! 
Picture
0 Comments

Breamore

14/2/2019

0 Comments

 
Date:
Location:
Distance:
Parking:
Lunch:

14 February 2019
Breamore
5 miles
By St Mary's Church
​Bat and Ball
From the small parking area near the church we set out to do this walk in a clockwise direction meaning it’s all down hill towards the end.

There is an old barn near the start of the track leading to Gravelhill copse and we were lucky enough to find the resident of the nearby cottage in his garden.  He told us a little bit about the history of the barns and a grant for their restoration.  Looking on the web for some additional information I came across this fascinating document about Breamore which was produced in 2000 and supported by The Millennium Awards for All programme.   Certainly worth reading.

http://www.newforest.gov.uk/media/adobe/f/s/Breamore_VDS.pdf
​

That provided a short break before the gentle but steady climb up to Whitsbury Wood.  Looking back to the south west there was still a lot of mist hanging around but then there is a lot of water in that area.
Picture
Renovated Barn
Picture
More Catkins!
Picture
Late Mist
We had a pleasant visit to St Leonard’s Church at Whitsbury and were amazed at the number of memorials  to naval officers all from the same family.
We then, as on previous walks in this area, admired the beautifully kept grounds of the Whitsbury stud.
Not much further on we found a couple of straw bales that looked ideal for a quick refreshment break so we sat in the sunshine and Ray produced two custard tarts!
Rather surprisingly we had never before taken the short detour to see the Mizmaze so we decided to check it out this time and were very pleased we did.  There is a short article about the Mizmaze on Wikipedia    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mizmaze    . There are apparently only 8 surviving historic turf mazes and just 2 of these are called Mizmazes.
Picture
Home From Home
Picture
Another Ancient Monument
Picture
The Mizmaze
From here it was a gentle down hill stroll back to the car.​

It is well worth visiting St Mary’s Church at Breamore either before or after this walk.  It is considered one of the most historically important Saxon buildings in the south of England, probably founded by Ethelred 'The Unready', around 1000 AD.

This large rood dating from the Saxon era (a rood being a cross or crucifix symbolizing the cross on which Jesus Christ died) can be seen in the porch.
https://www.britainexpress.com/attractions.htm?attraction=4543

The Bat and Ball provided excellent Liver and bacon casserole for lunch.
Picture
Saxon Rood
Picture
0 Comments

Wareham Forest

7/2/2019

0 Comments

 
Date:
Location:
Distance:
Parking:
Lunch:

7 February 2019
Wareham Forest
​6.7 miles
Sika Trail car park
​Lambs Green Inn
A walk around Wareham Forest is always enjoyable particularly on a bright sunny day even if there is a cool wind blowing.  The tracks here provide easy walking even after a lot of rain though we did have to tread carefully in a few places.
It is clear from the map below where we were brought to a standstill and had to turn back.  We can partly blame this on an old barely readable map!

The scenery changes from fairly dense pine forest in some places to waterlogged areas where trees find survival a real problem.  The strong wind made some of the wet area look as if waves were building up on large lakes.

This was quite a longish walk for someone with bad knees approaching their 79th birthday but there’s no stopping some people.  It was however a relief to reach the Lambs Green Inn and be able to sit down two nice pies - chicken and mushroom pie followed by apple pie and custard.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

Blashford Lake and Rockford Common

31/1/2019

0 Comments

 
Date:
Location:
Distance:
Parking:
Lunch:

31 January 2019
Blashford Lake
5.8 miles
Moyles Court
The Smugglers Haunt, Ferndown
Yes this another repeat of a previous walk!  This one from October 2017.  Finding new walks has become quite a struggle and not that rewarding when the weather forecast is less than encouraging - snow expected later today.
There was surprisingly little frost on the forest, shame as I was expecting some interesting photos, but parts of the lakes were frozen over.  Although it was a very dull grey day it did not seen that cold while we were walking but most people seemed to have decided it was better to stay in doors.  We hardly saw anyone all day.   We did however see the lovely thatched cottage pictured below with wonderfully bow shaped walls.  We also found a few places where the local authority had kindly provided wooden walkways that took us round the edge of what would have been deep mud in warmer weather.
The paths are all quite easy to follow but some care is needed to avoid wandering too far off the route across the common.  We decided to weave a strange path through Appleslade Inclosure in deference to Ray's knee but this turned out rather well as it meant that we spotted the silver birches growing on a tiny island in a pond.  One of us could not resist the temptation to go and take a few photographs while the other sensibly stuck to the main path.
A 40% discount voucher came in very handy at The Smugglers Haunt, a Beefeater establishment in Ferndown.  As it is open all day for meals it is a little surprising that we have never, as far as either of us could recall had a walkers' lunch there before.  It was a pleasant location and good value.
Picture
The Ford, Moyles Court
Picture
Thatched Perfection
Picture
Walkway
Picture
Beautiful Birches
Picture
Birch Island
Picture
View Just Above Moyles Court
Picture
0 Comments

Tarrant Gunville

24/1/2019

0 Comments

 
Date:
Location:
Distance:
Parking:
Lunch:

24 January 2019
Tarrant Gunville
6.9 miles
Opposite Village Hall
​Lambs Green Inn

This walk follows the route we last walked in October 2013 but this time we did it the other way round.  We parked just opposite the village hall.  There are not many options in the village.  Just after the church we turned into the field and followed the path that runs along behind the cottages on the road running through the village towards the Sewage Works.
Picture
Cottages - Could Be From A Film Set
Picture
Sitting Comfortably
The paths are fairly easy to follow until reaching a point just before Bishops Coppice where it deviates and there is no way through where the path is shown on the map.​
​
After a brief spell on the road we we turned back into the woods and soon found a tree right across the track but one that provided a decent seat for a quick break.
The catkins are starting to appear all along the field edges and it is amazing how much pollen they can produce.
​Home Farm is often worth a quick visit but unfortunately it was closed until February.  Their little cottage is looking in need of a little, or maybe a lot, of TLC.
Picture
Catkins In Abundance
Picture
Anyone For Hayfever?
Picture
Forlorn Cottage
Picture
0 Comments

A Watery Walk - Longham

20/12/2018

0 Comments

 
Date:
Location:
Distance:
Parking:
Lunch:

20 December 2018
Longham
6.9 miles
Bridge House Hotel
​Bridge House Hotel
This walk turned out to be very different from the planned version!  Do not however get put off this area.  We have had some good walks around here on previous occasions.  A search for "Longham" will provide details.

We started from the car park at the Bridge House Hotel where we planned to have their excellent cavern for our lunch.
Turning right outside the hotel we took the Ferndown Stour and Forest Trail along the edge of the Stour but not for long.  After about a third of a mile the path was underwater and there was no way we could go any further.
We turned back and took the same trail this time leading north beside the Longham Lakes Reservoir.  Looking over what should have been farm land to the west the extent of the flooding could be plainly seen.


Picture
The Stour
Picture
Farm Land! - Looking West From The Lakes
We turned off towards Coneygar Farm and rejoined another section of the trail towards Ferndown with the intention of taking the footpath to Knoll Gardens.  Alas this footpath had  vanished.  We carried on for a short distance to see if there was an alternative route to the gardens but no we had to turn back again.  We felt we deserved a break now so we found a decent log to sit on while we regained our enthusiasm.

This time we thought we would take the bridleway across to Knoll Gardens but we were faced with another submerged path that was impossible to bypass.  We had to turn back for a third time.  We have never before been forced to turn back three times on one walk.  In fact we have hardly ever turned back at all!
Picture
A Minor Obstacle We Overcame
Picture
A Car Plant?
If you would like to see many more strange pictures of cars have a look at the International Car Forest of The Last Church.  Here's a link on Tripadvisor .  
​Eventually we found a reasonable route back and happily reached the Bridge House at 13:30 in good time for lunch.  It was a very nice lunch for a very nice price.
Picture
0 Comments

Cranborne

13/12/2018

1 Comment

 
Date:
Location:
Distance:
Parking:
Lunch:

13 December 2018
Cranborne
6.5 miles
Outside Sheaf of Arrows
​Sheaf of Arrows
We managed to find a convenient spot to park right outside the Sheaf of Arrows and were pleased to find that they serve lunches until 14:30 and offer a 25% discount for the “not so young” during the week - an incentive to walk quickly.

Cranborne Manor was looking a bit bleak as we set out but.  Having been originally built as a hunting lodge for King John in the early 1200s it will have certainly seen days a lot worse than this one.
​

Although it looks like a pleasant track it is worth remembering that from Manor Farm to Cranborne Farm it is more like walking on a road.  We had forgotten!
We followed the signed path around the farm though it would have been easy enough to just walk through the rather deserted farm yard.

There is no sign but the footpath turns right through a gate into the field and then up towards the road.  There is no need to walk along the edge of the road as there is a nice wide path just inside the edge of the field.  There are several places, just inside the small copse, where there is no wire preventing walkers crossing the road onto Monkton Drive.  We then had the pleasure of a stroll down a grassy track with hedges on both sides protecting us from the increasingly chilly wind.
Turning right on the road, for a short way, we joined the Jubilee Trail which soon turns across the fields and then through a little gate onto the edge of quite a steep embankment.
The wind was now becoming really chilly so we looked for some shelter where we could enjoy our drinks without freezing.​

Picture
Cranborne Manor - Looks Comfortable
Picture
Our Manor - A Little Less Attractive
Picture
Out Of The Wind
Feeling revitalised we continued along the Jubilee Trail all the way back to Cranborne.  It isn’t all that clear but the footpath runs inside the fence line along Parsonage Lane and there is an exit point just by Creech Hill House.  There is however no option but than to walk along the road from here to the corner where it crosses the fields again.​

We were back in good time for lunch at the Sheaf of Arrows and were happy to purchase the last two steak and kidney puddings.  The couple who followed us in were not so lucky!
Picture
Bright But Breezy
Picture
1 Comment

Wilverley and Holmsley Inclosure

6/12/2018

1 Comment

 
Date:
Location:
Distance:
Parking:
Lunch:

6 December 2018
Wilverley and Holmsley
6 miles
Large car park, north east of Wilverley Inclosure
​Cat and Fiddle, Into Admiral
In spite of the rather dull day there were a lot of people parked in the large Wilverley car park. We saw very few of them once we started walking, partly because we started out on one of the minor paths which may not have looked too inviting to most of the dog walkers.  We did however come across a group using trees, bungee cords, mats and other paraphernalia  as an outside gym.
Every now and then a small, rare burst of sunlight helped to make the bracken glow with a lovely golden colour.

We have never been able to find a way of reaching the style to cross the road without having to take the rather grotty route that goes under the bridge.  It seems impossible as the road is fenced on both sides.  We followed a route that we have used several times before along the disused railway.  The picture of the reflections of the trees gives some idea as to the extent of the water in the forest after the last few days rain.
Picture
Pure Gold!
Picture
The Next Train?
Picture
Treeflections
We stopped for a break close to Holmsley Lodge and then walked along a short stretch of the road before taking the small track on the left which leads to the bottom of Lodge Hill.  It wasn’t as wet as we feared and after passing through the gate at the bottom we had a fairly easy stroll before crossing the road and splurging our way to the footbridge over Avon Water - it is quite close to the road and could easily be missed which would prove difficult!​

We walked around the road and back towards the Tea Rooms looking for a place where we could cross the fence.  We noticed a horse rider taking the track under the road to our east and thought we would check this out for future reference.  The answer is you need a horse or very long waders.
Picture
Just A Tree
Picture
Not For Walkers
Retracing our footsteps we went through the gate into the Inclosure and followed the cycle track for most of the way back to the car.​

Lunch at the Harvester, Cat and Fiddle, at Hinton Admiral rounded the day off nicely.
Picture
1 Comment
<<Previous

    The Walkers' Blog

    If you see something in pale blue such as Wikipedia it means that this is a link.  Hover over it and you will see the hand symbol. Click on it to see an article from somewhere else on the web.  
    ​

     At the end of April 2019 there are 218 walks on the Blog.


    Click on a "Category" at the bottom to select only one particular Leader's walks.

    Archives

    July 2020
    April 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013

    Categories

    All
    Clive
    Peter
    Ray
    Rob

    RSS Feed

Picture
Design by DivTag Weebly Templates
Picture
Picture
Proudly powered by Weebly