| Date: Location: Walk Leader: Participants: Distance: Parking: Lunch: | 18th February 2015 Stanford which appeared in Hardy's novels as Mellstock Rob Rob, Clive, Peter, Ray 8.75 miles By St Michael's church The Trumpet Major, Dorchester ★▲ |
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.
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.
 The Bridge |  A Stylish Start |  Legionnaires |  Hardy's Cottage |
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