A select group of 11 members of the Westbury Walkers set out from Bromham on 12th May, for a 7 mile walk led by Linda Cooke and Rob Hearnden, through beautiful spring countryside on a fine sunny day.
Climbing out of Bromham the group soon crossed the Melksham Road and walked through cultivated fields towards Chittoe, passing through woodland with many spring flowers. Coffee was enjoyed in the sunshine with fine downland views to the west.
The walk continued on towards Bowden Hill before turning west past a curiously named farmhouse- Frogditch – which had recently had an impressive makeover. After passing through two farms, lunch was taken facing the midday sun looking towards Sandridge Park. The return across the main road to Bromham was the shorter part of the trip. All agreed that a beautiful day in the Wiltshire countryside had been enjoyed.
Report by Rob Hearnden
The following weekend, 18 members travelled to Minehead for two days of walking. On the Saturday the weather was ideal as the group took the steam train from Minehead to Watchet and then followed an 8.5 mile route back to the start. Led by Teressa and Brian Mitchard, they followed the former railway track, the Mineral Way as far as Washford and then took the Monks Path which descended towards the village of Old Cleeve where the only climb of the walk took them to the village church. They then crossed two fields, passing Binham Farm with its fine agricultural buildings before reaching the coast at Blue Anchor. Here they enjoyed a leisurely lunch whilst sitting on the beach. The group then followed the Steam Coast trail via Dunster back to Minehead.
The following day was just as good weatherwise as the walkers drove to the National Trust village of Selworthy with its delightful thatched cottages. This walk, led by Paddy Yerburgh was in complete contrast to the previous one as a steep climb took them up onto high ground where they paused at Selworthy Beacon (over 300 metres) and chatted to a group of young people doing their D of E. The group, having just walked down from the highest point on Exmoor (Dunkery Beacon – 519 metres) where they had overnighted and carrying very heavy backpacks, did not seem to be enjoying the walk experience quite as much as the Westbury Walkers!
From there the walkers followed a level path out to Bossington Hill, all the while enjoying spectacular views across the Bristol Channel to the Welsh Coast. At the Bossington Beacon they again had a relaxing lunch as they gazed across to Porlock and the cliffs of the North Devon Coast.
It was then downhill along a narrow path before reaching woodland and a level track which took them back to Selworthy where they enjoyed a cream tea in Periwinkle Cafe on the village green. Everyone agreed it was a most successful weekend in an outstandingly beautiful part of the country in near perfect weather conditions.
Report by
Paddy Yerburgh
