St Michael's was Thomas Hardy's local church.  His heart is the buried in the churchyard, alongside the grave of his first wife who died in 1912. Stinsford is the original 'Mellstock' of Hardy's novels Under the Greenwood Tree and Jude the Obscure.  We started the walk from the small car park beside the church making our way down to walk along side the river.  Reaching the road at Lower Rockhampton you can see an interesting sign on the bridge which is pictured picture below.

On the other side of the road the path became a little muddy but quite passable.  Ray thought that Clive had had too much attention recently so he decided to throw himself on the ground to see if he could gain the upper hand.  The walk leader did not however show a great deal of sympathy asking him to do it again for the camera.  In fact he then forced him to climb over numerous styles to test his stamina.  There were a few gentle climbs up to Castle Hill and then we dropped back down to the road where we found a large tree trunk that provided perfect seating for our break.  The local constabulary even stopped by for a chat.
After the break we walked along the first part of the Roman Road through Puddletown Forest and up the quite steep climb to Bhompton Heath.  It was then only a short distance to Hardy's Cottage.  There has been quite a lot of development close to the car park by Thorncombe Wood.  We saw a little more of it than we should have done as we turned off a bit too early but it was a worthwhile diversion.  There is a new cafe and the cottages at Greenwood Grange look very attractive.
We then strolled on to Kingston Maurward where there are some lovely old trees and a stately manor house.  We missed the path and took a small detour around a bit of the lake.  This will no doubt soon look very attractive as the bulbs are just starting to show.  Back on track we headed back to the river and on to St Michael's.
Another rather grey day but an enjoyable walk in an area we have not visited for three years and 80% of it was on new territory!  Well found Rob.
Lunch was at a venue that was also new to us.  The Trumpet Major at Dorchester is open all day and has a two for one offer for lunches, provided they are main meals.  Good value, reasonable food, lots of it, friendly staff but the vegetables had been for a long swim in hot water and were worn out.

We found a nice wide stretch of road at the beginning of Fields Close where there is a lay-by.  Kind friends then pointed out that there is a car park just by the school but it was fine where we were so we stayed there and followed the path that comes out of the far end of Fields Close right next to the aforementioned car park!
We followed the road to a junction where there is a rather large tree which I learned is known locally as Badgers Tree.  We then turned left heading towards Weston's Wood  and then on to Cliff Wood and Whatcombe Common.  Between Weston's Wood and Cliff Wood you can see an old oil tank.  The first picture below was taken in May 2006 and the second during todays walk.  It is interesting to see how nature is taking over!  We decided to venture into the unknown and investigate Dark Dale.  This is well named as it is lined by closely packed conifers.  Unfortunately the path just ran out but we had the technology and found our way back to another decent track.  We stopped for a break at the northern side of Whatcombe Wood and then meandered our way into Oatclose Wood.  The bridle path here was very muddy having been chewed up by horses so we took another diversion.
Coming out onto the road at Winterborne Clenston we stopped to look at the The Barn and further on the  
parish church of St Nicholas.  This dates from 1840 and is built in bands of stone and flint.  It is very attractive building but is not seen to its best advantage in the picture below with its dull grey sky.  Unfortunately that is what we had all day but at least it kept dry and it was a decent temperature.
After a short stretch on the road we crossed back into the fields and, feeling fit as fiddles, took a little diversion around The Clump just to make sure the walk wasn't too short.
We decided to visit the Toby Carvery at Fleetsbridge and were surprised to have to wait for 15 minutes even though it was well passed normal lunch times.  The meal was OK but not that special.  It was however "keenly priced". 
Clive was suffering from a bruised ego (or possibly ribs) having tied himself into knots and flung himself on the ground last week.

This walk is somewhat similar to the one that we did on 1st March 2013 but we did this one backwards - not walking backwards but in the opposite direction!  If you are curious you can see the earlier walk in the Archives on the right.
It was a decidedly chilly morning when we set off at just after 10:30.  The path is easy to follow across the field joining the road and then on towards Bokerley Farm.  At the farm  you have to go through the gate on the opposite aside of the lane and follow along side the far side of the hedge. Reaching the disused firing ranges at Martin Down it is easy to take the wrong track as there are many to choose from.  We headed towards the car park and though we intended to take the straight track towards the Tumuli near Peaked Corner we ended up on a curved route which helped to extend the walk a little.  We sat on a very convenient bench, warmed ourselves up with hot drinks and took a group picture against the snowy backdrop.  To get onto the path across Blagdon Plantation you have to go through a gate into the woods and then take the first path on the left.  We discovered this after finding ourselves heading down towards Blagdon Farm.  At the end of this track we managed another deviation as we headed towards Whitey Top Farm before doubling back and getting on the right path to Penury Knoll.  None of tis mattered because after the dull start the sun had come out and it was really quite a glorious day.  Turning to the north west and heading back towards Manor Farm we came across the first really muddy stretch of the entire walk.  Up until this point the ground had been very good but this section was quite claggy.
Another really good day out in an area that we last visited nearly two years ago.
Lunch at The Lambs Green Inn was very good but they have recently raised the prices.  The venison pudding with a suet crust and the beef cobbler were very tasty but at £10.50 - £10.99 not such good value as they used to be.