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

A walk in the woods

A 11 mile walk today just to get my feet conditioned for The Big Walk at the end of this month. As I headed for Holyford woods I passed the local pig farm. Every pig was up early and busy.The opportunist crows were also sitting on the pigs back looking for breakfast possibilities. The woods were not very April like at all and many of the plants had decided to wait a while until spring really showed its true face again! I climbed up through the dead bracken and joined the road towards the caravan site. A women combed her white Husky looking dog and fir floated in large clumps on the wind. Plenty of birds nest material for passing finches I thought. On sunny banks primroses defiantly resisted the Arctic winds as I trod the long lonely road out of Southleigh. My favourite part of the journey is when I burst out of the woods in the hills just above Sidford. It is almost like emerging from a fairy tale world before civilisation is reached again. Fortunately though I never saw any wolves dressed as old grannies! 

To support me on the Big Walk in the fight against Prostate cancer click on the following link http://www.justgiving.com/Ian-Harris11

Good Friday on Dartmoor

As part of my training for The Big Walk I set out with friends on Good Friday to walk from Belstone on the edge of Dartmoor, in a 8 mile circular loop across Cosdon beacon on northern part of Dartmoor. After eating hot cross buns and coffee we set out from the Tors pub along the moss enchanted valley of the river Taw before reaching the edge  of Dartmoor. Small streams hung with icicles and the bitter wind was soon howling in our ears as we climbed ever higher to the 1,800 ft of Cosdon beacon. On the way up we stopped for our picnic lunch and I struggled to eat in the freezing wind in the lea of a stone wall.Just below the Beacon is a stoneage avenue and at the top a trig point and stone cairn.It is a bleak and wind swept place. As we headed down the Beacon we saw Dartmoor ponies feeding on the rough pasture and watched as the billows of smoke arose from the controlled Gorse fires. Hopping over streams we eventually arrived again at our starting point at the Tors pub. Time to head back home.

You can give to the Ian's Big Walk on http://www.justgiving.com/Ian-Harris11

A day of Reflection

After hiding by the fire from this weeks icy winds and snow it was good to be out on the road again for a bright frosty walk. It is only about five weeks until I set out on my "Long Walk" from Helston to Crediton. Training is therefore required to get my feet toughened up again. Today's training route heads through woodlands and eventually picks up the coastal path just after the Donkey sanctuary before descending to sunny Sidmouth. In the shady woods the ferns are 50 shades of green and I pass a dead badger who had a sinister smile on his face as he lays in the ditch at the side of the road.Heading out of Beer I pass Pecorama a place where model railways abound and take the footpath to Branscombe. The woods above Branscombe are magical with wild garlic and bluebells just starting to emerge. I take the path through the Donkey Sanctuary and my eyes are drawn to the trees with small plaques placed next to them. The messages on them tell stories about people and animals who were loved and are now dead,and departed to the "Saints Everlasting Rest". My eyes by now have tears in them and I have to endure a half a mile or so of this torture of those departed.
The coastal path is now reached and the footpath winds down into Sidmouth. I find somewhere for some soup and a coffee and catch the roller coaster bus home, weaving through narrow lanes and eventually arriving at Seaton. I feel somewhat travel sick but perhaps on reflection I should not have had that large ice cream!

http://www.justgiving.com/Ian-Harris11

Walking in the Devon Mists

I am back in training again for my "Big Walk" from Helston to Crediton  (110 miles) which is part of my walk 1200 mile walk from Lands End to John O Groats. My training route involved a hilly walk from Seaton to Sidbury through the rolling hills of Devon. It is easy to forget how remote some of the Devon countryside is and  you see very few people when you get out into the wilder areas. The day was grey, misty and foggy, towards the sea and over the hills. After weeks of rain the cold easterly wind had eventually dried out the muddy paths and walking was pleasant but distinctly chilly .I met a stoat running down the road and he jumped into the hedge just as he reached me. Two Buzzards took off from hedges close to me as I headed down through the woods and lanes to Sidbury. After four hours of walking it was time for a well deserved lunch at the Blue Ball pub. If you would like to sponsor me in aid of Prostate Cancer UK  please click on the following link http://www.justgiving.com/Ian-Harris11