Mackerel evening

As summer moves swiftly onwards into August, after months of absence the shoals of mackerel have arrived. As evening falls they hunt the Whitebait close to the shore diving out of the water and driving the whitebait with their feeding frenzy onto the beach in an effort to escape. Fishing at this time of year is easy and requires minimum skill. In an effort to make things more interesting and skilful I tend to fish only with one hook and try some float fishing.

Sometimes you can be surprised by what you catch, It's like being part of a large lucky dip where the unexpected turns up. The other day I caught something unusual a Twaite Shad which is a protected fish species ,

which I released back to the sea. I had never seen one before and knew of it only by my childhood obsession with Brooke Bond PG tips cards. Each day is a opportunity to learn something new and of course watch those wonderful sunsets.

Below a mackerel caught on a feather lure

A Cold Mornings Walk

Wednesday is normally my training day when I walk the coastal footpath from Sidmouth to Seaton. This involves 11 miles of hilly walking and is excellent preparation for my "End to End journey. I catch the bus and see the normal  regulars who make the journey. On my bus ride today I noticed 12 pigs lined up in a row with Crows sat on their backs waiting for them to disturb something "good " to eat. Eventually I arrive at Sidmouth and get myself used to the coldness of the streets compared with the sleepy warmth of the bus. In my youth I  travelled home from work on the bus on a dark winters evening  only to fall asleep and miss my stop, waking up in a panic miles from home.
Sidmouth is busy with shoppers and I can smell the pasty and pie shop as I resist temptation and reach the outskirts of the town. I pass the expensive houses who's gardens are falling into the sea due to the rapidly eroding cliffs. After a demanding climb I am on the coastal path  again heading towards Slade and the Donkey Sanctuary. Last nights snow showers can still be seen frozen against a sheltering hedge. A few miles on I stopped for lunch at the Fountain Head and relaxed by the warmth of the fire. The sun had come out as I left the pub and headed via the Sea Shanty, up through the cliffs to Beer and then home to Seaton. It was very cold but I felt greatful for such a wonderful day.

Hills, Valleys and Aerodromes

Today in preparation for the Big Walk two of us set out on a circular walk through the hills from Branscombe. I hate to say it put it felt almost spring like with everything looking greener after the overnight rain. Walking from the Mason's arms we headed out via narrow lanes into the rolling hills that made us both puff and pant. Eventually we reached a narrow track where the recent heavy rain had washed deep channels in the surface that were 18" deep. We hopped and jump our way across these and eventually descended a steep slope  into a dark conifer wood. The steep banks of the wood had fallen onto the path following a landslip  after heavy rain, taking large trees with it. We emerged from the wood and climbed a steep hill that lead to an old airfield which may have been used in the war. Crossing the airfield we reached the outskirts of Branscombe again near the Fountain Head pub. Fog and rain had now closed in on us and we were glad to take shelter in the Mason's Arms for lunch.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Branscombe
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/branscombe-bakery-mill-and-forge/
http://www.justgiving.com/Ian-Harris11

Preparation for the Cotswolds

Well its only a few weeks now till I head off to Bath to start the next stage of my "Long Walk" journey from Bath to Worcester. This is approximately 100 miles and will mean that when this is finished I will have walked from Land's End to Worcester a journey of about 330 miles.In preparation and to get my feet used to the average daily mileage of 15 miles a day, I set out this morning for my 10 mile training walk along the coast to Sidmouth. The morning was beautiful and the sea sparkled in the bright sunshine. As I descended the hill into the village of Beer  holiday makers were already up and about waiting for the bus to Sidmouth. Walking out of Beer I passed Pecorama gardens and model railway centre, where the first visitors of the day were just arriving. Out through the quiet lanes and down through the steep woodland paths I travelled, finally arriving in Branscombe. A bench outside the local church provided my drinks stop as I headed to the donkey sanctuary. From here

I followed a path through the woods to the coast. The views of the coast above Sidmouth are splendid along with the final descent  into Sidmouth through fields and houses down to the river Sid.

Walking along the Undercliff

Alison had to go to work at her new part-time job in Lyme Regis so I caught a lift with her to walk the Undercliff  footpath back to Seaton, a distance of just over 8 miles. The Undercliff is a strange area formed by cliffs collapsing into the sea and then the fallen area gradually becoming established with woodland and other vegetation. The sun was shining bright as I passed the crowds of sun seeking holiday makers, heading towards the Cob. From here I picked up the coastal path that leads to the start of the Undercliff. Even on a warm day the Undercliff has its own quality. The deep shaded woodland floor is covered with ferns and in sunlit clearings Speckled Wood Butterflies roam. Although right next to the sea you seldom ever see it once you come under the Undercliff's influence, as you only emerge from its darkness towards the end of your journey.  Its a Topsy Turvy world deep gullies, ponds and ups and downs. A place used in fiction for romantic liaisons by John Fowles where the remains of houses and fields that have fallen into the sea can still be seen. I emerged at last into the bright sunlight, crossed the fields and the golf course and joined the river Axe at Seaton. My journey into the past was over.
http://www.seatonbay.com/adventure/undercliff.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_French_Lieutenant's_Woman

Walking on the Hanger Way

The satnav commanded turn left so I did and drove up a very narrow lane that was somewhat on the twisty side. You get to a point with some roads where you think, will I make it through to civilisation, this was one of them!  Lots of soil had collected up the middle of the road and the pot holes were plentiful as I bumped along and eventually burst out into the village of Hawkley. I found the pub where I was staying and had arranged to meet up with Robin and Jon. The landlord was just locking up so I just sneaked into my room before he left for the school run. The room was good and the pub was homely but I still managed to lock myself out of my room within the first 5 minutes of being there.I sat about thinking, that I would have a long wait on my hands when I spotted the chef who luckily had another key.Later relaxing in the bar and sampling the local beers, (which were all excellent) I caught up with Jon and Robin . After eating we took a walk around the village and then headed back to the pub for a pudding and some more beer.
Tuesday arrived and after a good breakfast we set out in hazy sunshine, down deep lanes filled with Ransoms heady with the scent of onions. The banks were fringed with bluebells and clear streams flowed quickly through wooded valleys. We climbed up through the hills and eventually reached Shoulder of Mutton hill with wonderful views across the Hanger way. It started raining and we were glad to take shelter in  the Harrow pub at Steep. This was a most unusual place with stuffed birds and indoor miniature garden. A homely pub with good beer and hearty soup. As we left the rain grew stronger and we grew wetter. The path  descended  deep slippery lanes where staying on your feet meant paying careful attention. The leafy  footpaths 

lead back to Hawkley and 10 miles had been covered. We packed up and and said our goodbyes. It was good to see everybody again. “Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: "What! You too? I thought I was the only one.” ― C.S. Lewis

Golden Cap

My walk this Friday started from Stonebarrow car park just east of Charmouth. An exposed area of heathland close to the cliffs. This area has had many landslips especially in recent times due to the wet weather requiring that the coastal path often takes unplanned diversions. I had company in the form of the local East Devon Ramblers. The sun shone bright but the easterly wind was still biting cold as we followed the meandering path towards the coast and the deserted settlement at St Gabriel's which was abandoned in the 18th century . The ruins of the small church which dates from 1240 and the medieval farm house which was rebuilt again in the 18th century can still be seen.Crossing the fields we headed up the hilly windy fields  bounded by stone walls and thick hedges. Eventually we reached Golden Cap the highest point on the south coast of England at 191 metres above sea level. The wind was so strong as to nearly blow you off your feet but the view along the coastline were wonderful. We headed down Golden Cap and followed the coastal path until we reached Cain's Folly and climbed back  again to Stonebarrow. Time for lunch at the pub at Charmouth. A good way to finish any walk.

For more information on the local area around Stonebarrow see http://www.southampton.ac.uk/~imw/Charmouth-East-Stonebarrow-Hill.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Cap