| Date: Location: Distance: Parking: Lunch: | 18 December 2017, Monday Milton Abbas 6.9 miles By the church The Worlds End, Almer ★★★★☆ |
We shelved our idea of “doing the Hintons” in the last few weeks of 2017 as we thought there had been too much rain recently. Most of the paths on this walk from Milton Abbas are dry and well made up and it is a really nice area. We also wanted to see if we could buy some Romanesco at Steeptonbill farm shop. We couldn’t but we did get some multi coloured chantenay carrots to brighten our Christmas lunches. The Google map seems to show this in the wrong place so I have marked it on the walk map.
We had an interesting chat with a local as we started out from our parking place on the road close to the church. The village has a fascinating history and a brief summary can be found at http://www.miltonabbas.org.uk/History/villagehistory.htm. When we arrived we noticed how chilly it seemed in the village which sits in a valley and gets very little sun at this time of year. It was a gloriously bright sunny day once we had climbed out of the valley but when we returned later in the day the whole village was still in shadow.
In a similar vein to last week we decided to deviate from the main hard surfaced track into Charity Wood. We intended to then go towards Our Farm but an urgent phone call distracted the leader who missed the turn and failed to realise until half way down Whatcombe Wood. Well it was a lovely path and the beech woods were looking most attractive! So we adjusted the walk to suit.
As we rounded the corner by Cliff Wood walking towards Higher Whatcombe Farm we could hear a woodpecker. We managed to glimpse him at the top of one of the pair of trees, that I rather fancifully thought were about to dance. Can you see him? He is one of the spotted varieties.
 Oatclose Wood |  Corner Of Cliff Wood |  Barn, Higher Whatcombe |
It was still bright and sunny as we crossed the road and walked past East Luccombe Farm with its holiday cottages and artisanal workshops. We then turned north on the Juilee Trail for a short while before turning onto the smaller path that took us back into Milton Abbas beside the church and only a few yards from the car.
We stopped at the Worlds End in Almer for lunch and enjoyed their steak and Tanglefooot Pie even if it did cost £13.25. We counted it as a Christmas treat. The tea was a nice surprise. It was loose leaf tea, served in an infuser, in a good size pot with really hot water.
We stopped at the Worlds End in Almer for lunch and enjoyed their steak and Tanglefooot Pie even if it did cost £13.25. We counted it as a Christmas treat. The tea was a nice surprise. It was loose leaf tea, served in an infuser, in a good size pot with really hot water.
 Stylish Seat, View Toward Whatcombe House |  The End Of A Lovely Day |
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