Mileaters V&V Report – October 17th
It’s wonderfully illogical, but many of us still do it. Faced with a bad weather forecast, we scroll through different weather apps on our smartphones until we find a more encouraging forecast. The variety of different daily predictions can at times be puzzling.
But on October 16th every app was extraordinarily unanimous. Rainfall of biblical proportions was on its way, and in due course the deluge arrived. Very wisely, we postponed the mid-October Mileaters walk for 24 hours, and then enjoyed what could have been an entirely different season. We set off from Burton Bradstock, enjoying a blue sky and warm sunshine. Most of us shed our sweaters, whilst wishing we had brought sunglasses, though inevitably we still had to plough through sections of deep and sticky mud.
Making our way inland along the River Bride, we spied another walking group up ahead. Clearly the route had been double booked. Catching up with them – a group of about thirteen women and one solitary male who wistfully told us that this was a gender ratio he had dreamt of in his younger days – they told us they were the West Dorset Ramblers, based in Bridport, and mercifully were ultimately following a different route to us.
Our route took us past Bredy Farm, then up a steady incline towards our coffee stop overlooking the beautiful Dorset coast. Heading back south towards the beach, a flock of hang-gliders soared in the sky just above our heads. Along Chesil Beach, through the caravan park, past Hive Beach, and back down to our cars and a splendid lunch at the Three Horseshoes. What a difference a day made.
David Haslam
Mileaters Walk - Thornecombe Woods
“In the steps of Thomas Hardy”
After several days of heavy rain, 17 Mileaters (and 3 dogs) set out on a cloudy and cold morning, not knowing whether they would be encountering flooded fields and lots of mud. In the event we found quite benign conditions as we crossed water meadows and walked alongside streams. The walk started at the Trumpet Major pub, close to Hardy’s home, Max Gate. We then walked down to cross the River Frome and then across the water meadows to Stinsford and onto Lower Bockhampton. It was interesting to think that Hardy may have walked this same route from his house to visit his mother who was still living in his birthplace in Thorncombe woods at the time.
The walk proceeded on through the woods and we had a coffee stop at the lovely Rushy Pond. We walked past Hardy’s birthplace and then back to Stinsford, where we stopped at the churchyard to look at the Hardy family graves.
It was then back across the meadows to the pub, where we had a convivial lunch, although the calorific intake proved too much for some!
Overall, a most enjoyable walk of 5 1/2 miles, and not too challenging, even though we had variable weather conditions - a mixture of cold winds, showers and some sunny periods.
Mike Beesley
Mileaters Powerstock Walk
We were blessed with terrific walking weather for this 5 mile testing jaunt around the hills above Powerstock. Eight intrepid set off on a walk following some less well trod paths (for “less well trod” read overgrown and not at all clear).
From the Marquis of Lorne we made our way down past the old water mill and straight up the steep side of Powerstock castle. The site of the mott and bailey are still very clear and we learned about it being known as the Winter Palace of King Athelstan (no evidence) and that there were several records of King John being in attendance on many occasions, specifically 25th August 1205 and 8th Sept 1207 using “Poorstock Castle” as a hunting lodge as the area was one of the many deer forests reserved for the king.
From there we walked along the Kings Lane and through “The Bloody Gate” (as in “Close…”) and across the old Dorch to Bridport railway line (see picture), climbing to the hill above the Boden Estate. The rest of the walk was hidden valleys and steep climbs finishing through the picturesque and architecturally intriguing Powerstock. This was a challenging walk and the last hill up to the pub nearly finished us off but I counted them all out and counted them all back again. And all were smiling at the end. We walked for around 2 hours 20 mins plus a 20 min walk and a stop to pet the donkeys… (don`t ask).
Tom Webb
Tibbs Hollow walk
A group of 17 walkers plus 2 dogs set off in good walking weather, dry and a gentle breeze for an approximate five mile walk starting at Tibbs Hollow car park in Frampton. We headed off downhill to the valley bottom where the river Frome flows, passing the site of a medieval village now merely bumps in a small field occupied by some friendly goats. We walked along a cycle route through the pretty village of Notton towards Cruxton where we joined the Macmillan Way, following it up a steepish hill towards Notton Hill Barn. A coffee stop soon afterwards allowed us to recover from the climb whilst also admiring the far reaching views.
Leaving the Macmillan Way we headed down towards Longlands Farm, walking single file across a maize field, with the leaders disappearing from view - as the photo caption says – spot the Mileaters! At Longlands Farm we had a roll call to make sure no one was left in the maize. Two snoring pigs in a field beside the road were seen but disappointingly completely ignored those who walked over to say ‘hello’. Then we walked down the road to the car park.
Spot the Mileaters!
Our lunch was booked at The Chalk & Cheese in Maiden Newton. However, on arrival, we found an apologetic notice on the door telling us that due to illness they had to close. Not a pub with no beer but no pub! With a large group of people hanging around on the corner of the road a decision was needed so Gerald ‘phoned the Saxon Arms in Stratton, they had room for us all – disaster was avoided! Off we went where the excellent staff served us lunch plus a beer or two which was enjoyed sitting outside in the sunshine.
Rosie & Gerald Duke
Sydling St Nicholas walk
It was a gloomy, drizzly morning. A group of 11 walkers were due to set out for a 5 1/2 mile walk around Sydling St Nicholas. But one couple had failed to appear on time and a decision was taken to go without them. We parked in the pretty village of Sydling and made the long, slow ascent up to the Ridge. Suddenly two small figures appeared far below. Our lost walkers had caught up and found us. Quite a feat as they didnt know the walk. They had overslept and good manners prevents us from naming them. Our full complement reached the beautiful long stretch of the Ridge with far reaching views which even the weather could not spoil. A coffee break near the famous Turning Point crossroads of five ancient tracks set us thinking of all those who have passed through over millenia. A pleasant ramble back downhill past fields of standing barley and wildflower meadows eventually brought us back to Sydling. A short drive to the comforts of the Saxon Arms and delicious lunch. Linda led and Sue at rear shut the gates - quite a lot of them - Good teamwork!
Linda Scott and Sue Shephard