22nd January 2021.
After much rain, Thursday promised to stay dry, as we set off for a leisurely, socially distanced cycle ride across the Blackmore Vale, dressed for the cold weather, with hats, gloves and multiple layers of clothing.
This week the circular route I had planned included Yenston, Marhull, Fifehead Magdalene, Kington Magna, Buckhorn Weston and Templecombe. As much as possible we try to avoid using main roads, or those with heavy traffic, so to avoid traffic heading towards Gibbs Marsh Industrial Estate we cut across from Marsh Lane, through Henstridge Airfield and onto Landshire Lane.
As we cycled along Landshire Lane it was evident that the River Cale had breached its banks and the road was flooded. Not to be thwarted we pressed on, cycling through the flood.
Floods in the Blackmore Vale
With very wet feet we had a brief discussion on where to cycle to next. We had three options. Continue East, head back towards the A30 or cycle to Stalbridge. We ruled out the latter option as it would've meant a much longer route with cold wet feet. As we were deliberating, a couple of cars/vans stopped to say that they didn’t think we’d get through the next flood around the corner heading East towards Fifehead Magdalene. A car was stranded in the middle of the flood and we were told the water would reach our knees.
It is here that the River Stour briefly comes alongside Landshire Lane. Amazingly the Cale and Stour rivers do not meet at this point but a bit further south after the Cale has meandered its way past West Mill Lane, near Stalbridge. The Stour eventually makes its way to Christchurch and out into the sea.
We thought we’d cycle around the corner to see the extent of the flood for ourselves. Sure enough there was a car stuck in the middle of the flood and as we looked its hazard lights went out. Our decision made for us, we retraced our tracks and headed back through the airfield and onto the A30.
Surprisingly the River Cale had also spilled out onto the A30, but fortunately for us it did not cover the whole road. The central line markings were visible, marking our route through. We slowly cycled along the middle of the A30 holding traffic up as we did so, until we could safely return to side of the road. Strangely it was near a bend a little way along the road after the flood that a lorry decided to overtake us. With another lorry coming the other way I stopped pedalling believing I was going to get cut up. The lorry coming from the opposite direction also slowed down. Somehow the overtaking lorry managed to pull back in without any incident! We turned off the A30 as soon as we could and cycled towards Kington Magna.
All Saint's Church Kington Magna
Although our feet were cold we thought we could last a while longer so we took ourselves up to All Saint’s Church at Kington Magna, for a much deserved rest, tangerine and drink of water. There are two benches situated either side of the West facing door overlooking the Vale. (The picture above shows the north facing door) From this vantage point we could see the recently negotiated flooded A30.
Feeling rejuvenated we decided to head up onto the ridge and then down Hartmoor Hill to Buckhorn Weston. This is an exhilarating downhill ride, it's just a shame there is a sharp bend at the bottom to slow you down. Just after the bend there is a newly laid hedge on the left.
Newly Laid Hedge, Hartmoor Hill, Buckhorn Weston
The next leg of the journey from Buckhorn Weston to Templecombe again involved us negotiating flood water from the River Cale and adding to the moisture content of our already wet footwear.
It was along this road that a barn owl flew out in front of us. We would follow it for a little way then it would disappear before coming back out onto the road again. This happened three times until it disappeared for the last time near Bow Brook. An absolutely fabulous experience and our second sighting of a barn owl on our cycling travels. The first sighting a couple of weeks ago occurred on the road from Wincanton to Buckhorn Weston. A large barn owl flew over a hedge in front of us and in its talons it held a small creature. We followed in total awe until it veered off towards some buildings.
As we made our way past Bow Brook we met some mutual friends of ours, out for a walk with their 10 month old dog. We stopped for a socially distanced chat and a catch up. As we departed ways a car driving far too fast around a corner swerved to avoid us cyclists, ploughed its way through the muddy verge on the other side of the road, before swerving back onto the road to avoid our friends and their dog. A very close shave and a bit of a dampener (excuse the pun) at the end of an incredibly exhilarating bike ride.
Map with route marked in black. Dotted line shows route originally planned.
