Stalactites and Fly Past

 Destination         Kington Magna

Date                    11th February 2021

Duration:             2 hours 20 minutes

Distance:             14 miles

Temperature:       1°C (Wind Chill factor -5°C)

With such low temperatures ( -5°C including the wind chill factor ),  I planned a much shorter route than usual for this ride and also ensured I was dressed appropriately for the cold weather.  I wore two pairs of socks, walking boots, leggings and tracksuit bottoms, vest, top, two fleeces, raincoat, scarf, hat and two pairs of gloves.  JC seemed to be similarly attired.  

We headed off across the Blackmore Vale  from Templecombe turning right at Buckhorn Weston towards Kington Magna. Little sunlight had filtered through the overhanging trees and onto the road , with much ice in evidence and stalactites hanging from nearby twigs and leaves.

Stalactites

We arrived at Kington Magna  turning left into South Street and then left again into West Street.  It is great to see the old red telephone box, adjacent to the Village Hall, of benefit to the community.  Shelves, full of books, line two sides of the kiosk.  A poster on the rear of the kiosk invites us to phone  for further information on the village "Book Exchange".  Further on I spotted a hedge in the process of being laid.  I asked if I could take a photo but was advised that there was still some work to do before it was completed.  I suggested taking a photo another time and we cycled on.  I shall check on progress next time we cycle past.

Telephone Box Book Exchange Kington Magna

We continued up Church Hill to All Saints Church, Kington Magna for our refreshment break. Two benches either side of the south facing door afforded us panoramic views across the Blackmore Vale.

Two benches at All Saints Church, Kington Magna

In the distance we could see sunlight reflecting off the lines of cars stored at Henstridge Airfield.

Sunlight reflecting off cars at Henstridge Airfield

 

In all the years we have been cycling around the Blackmore Vale and sat on the benches at All Saints Church, we never realised we were looking down upon a medieval fish pond, until I recently read  an article about Kington Magna by Rodney Legg.

https://www.dorsetlife.co.uk/2006/12/kington-magna/

Medieval Fish Pond at Kington Magna

Not wishing to stay still for too long, we continued on our way.  A little way up hill from the church our nostrils were assaulted by a very strong unpleasant smell.   Given that there are a few large barns with silos adjacent to the road, we can only assume the smell emanated from that direction. 

At the top of Church Hill we turned left heading north towards Sandley.  Last weeks ride took us  over the main London Waterloo to Exeter railway line at Bugley Bridge, east of Sandley tunnel.  This week saw us above the other end of the tunnel facing west.

On top of Sandley Tunnel looking west

Access to the tunnel is from the western side, where Network Rail have fixed an Access Point Information sign to the fence.

Access Point to Sandley (Gillingham) Tunnel

Not wishing to climb up any more hills than necessary we  avoided Vessey's Holehill and Shutes Lane, taking the third left towards Cucklington.  Due to the cold weather and as planned we  headed back towards Buckhorn Weston  via Wayclose Lane, rather than continuing to Cucklington.

We sped down Weston Hill turning right into Templecombe Lane and back towards Templecombe.  En route an helicopter, probably from Yeovilton Air Base, flew across the road in front of us, behind the trees to our left, then circled round behind us and back alongside us to the right before veering northwards. Our very own "Fly Past."

Helicopter Fly Past

Just before arriving back in Templecombe we stopped at a gate to chat to a friend  By this time my toes were numb and I had to stamp around and wiggle my toes quite a bit before I got some feeling back. 

With the constantly changing landscape through the seasons, we always experience new sights along the way and our ride this week in very low temperatures was no exception. My only regret is that I forgot to charge the batteries for my action camera, consequently there aren't any video clips for this trip. 

Route