LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOOD

I drove the car to Burrington Ham, where I started walking early to continue my way on the Limestone Link Path, part of my Land's End to John o' Groats 'fill-in' walk. I crossed a couple of fields to Lovers Lane which leads to a road walk up the steady climb of Two Trees Road & Blagdon Farm. Excellent views of Blagdon Lake and Chew Valley Lake to the north from around Leaze Farm. I contined along the overgrown little used Leaze Lane, which I found difficult to negotiate, mainly due to the brambles protruding from the hedges across the path. I emerged from the lane at a field, just before Ubley Drove, then crossed the Drove to a permissive path, passing Ubley Hill Farmhouse to 'Green Plantation'. This plantation is, or was, part of the estate of Hazel Manor. I continued past the Manor and Hazel Farm to a steep descent to Compton Wood. More height was lost through the wood descending to Compton Martin village. I crossed 'The Coombe' lane to the back of some cottages where, to my surprise, a local resident has, or had, a small decking picnic area, with an empty bottle of wine adding the perfect touch to an unexpected idyllic picture of Blagdon Lake in the far background. As I entered the adjacent field I studied the map carefully and decided the route was on the top side of the hedge. As I couldn't see the way out of the field I changed my mind and crossed the open field to another footpath where I could see an exit to Rectory Lane. I looked for a footpath sign on Rectory Lane to continue, which I finally found almost hidden on a large telegraph or power pole. This led me to a small cul de sac with a perfectly trimmed hedge, probably a scissors job. I searched for the exit and wandered around a new, attractive bungalow without success. Then I wondered if the small dingy gap by the back side of the garage was my way forward. Careful inspection revealed a footpath sign high on the garage guttering soffit fascia board. I squeezed past the garage to a small plank across a stream to a gate. I wondered which came first, the right of way or the bungalow. You have probably guessed right. I passed another detached house to Highfield Lane and turned right for a short distance where the Limestone Link is joined by Monarch's Way. I turned off the lane where the two Ways were crossed by the path of a Roman road. I decided to take my refreshments at that point, so I sat on the grass in the warm sunshine and enjoyed the view, which was very pleasant indeed. I continued across a large field to Cowleaze Lane, near Beaconfield Farm. There the Monarch's Way split from the Limestone Link, but I had chosen the short straw. The Monarch's Way crosses a field and the Limestone Link continues along the very overgrown Cowleaze Lane. The only consolation of battling through the foliage was the wildlife: butterflies, flies and dragonflies. I finally emerged at a grassed field, then Ridge Lane, just south of West Harptree village. I turned right on 'The Street' at the centre of the village, then I continued straight ahead along Whistley Lane. It started good, was wide and even, but after Whistley Farm it deteriorated into yet another narrow overgrown path, slowing my walking pace again. When I reached Molly Brook the footpath signs directed me over a narrow footbridge surrounded by more brambles and nettles. I battled through to the next field only to find that the lane, Whistley Lane, skirted the footbridge and continued to the same field, a sweetcorn field. I arrived at Sutton Hill Road and continued to the weak bridge called Shrew Bridge, crossing the River Chew. Continuing through the gate after the bridge, I crossed a small running stream with no stepping stones. Carefully does it. Whoops, another boot full! I crossed a couple of rye corn fields to Widcombe Lane by Hayden's Farm, then turned off the lane after the farmhouse to climb Widcombe Hill. It required care to locate the kissing gate at the top of the field, a steep descent and ascent if you get it wrong. Head to the right of the line of bushes parallel with the stream from the springs. The gate was hidden at the top of the line of bushes, south side. Then through the gate to even steeper fields with a Golden Jubiliee Memorial bench for a very welcome rest with a glorious view of Chew Valley Lake and Blagdon Lake in the far distance. Suitably rested, I continued on the surprisingly flat lane to Hinton Blewett, with its cottages, stables, church and Ring of Bells public House. Continuing south-east down the hill to the village hall, I turned off the lane and through the kissing gate towards Cameley Road, then left on the lane to Lower Farm and the southern end of Nanny Hurn's Lane. I went up the steep lane past Camway Cottage to a kissing gate for a path along the top of the very sloping fields. There were problems before 'Paul Wood', as the gate was closed with barbed wire and no alternative could be found. I entered the field on top of the slope, but there was no gate visible in an easterly direction. I scaled a barbed wire fence with great care, into a wheat field, then consulted by 'sat map' which led me to the kissing gate I should have used. Onwards across more cereal fields to a large warehouse and again, I couldn't find a gate. I asked a van driver who pointed me in the direction of a lane leading to the main road. I passed a couple of brand new lorries parked on the lane where I was suddenly surprised by two pigs, pleading with me for food. I apologised to them because I could not satisfy their demands, then continued, down the lane, where I realised I was approaching the main A37 near Clutton at the wrong angle. I studied the map yet again to find I had missed an overgrown unsignposted path, which took me to the main road and a bus stop at Cholwell near Clutton. Unfortunately the stop was, and still is, in the wrong direction. I hunted for a bus stop on my side, but without success. I ventured further up the road when a bus approached, so I ran to a place where the bus could stop, only to see the bus stop even further up the road. Thankfully the bus did wait for me, but it wasn't all good luck as it took a further 3½ hours to get back to the caravan site at Purn, via Bristol and Weston-Super-Mare. Another adventurous day's walking along overgrown paths with minimal direction signs to help, nevertheless I enjoyed the challenge.

Location Map: - www.streetmap.co.uk, - Start: at BUrrington Ham