Hardy and Marlott

Date:             18th March 2021

Destination:  Marnhull 

Duration:     4 hours

Distance:      22.9 miles

Weather:      10 °C Partly Cloudy 

With much better weather forecast today's route was one I had originally planned to cycle the previous week but had postponed because of poor weather conditions.  Marlott (Marnhull) is referred to in Thomas Hardy's novel Tess of the D'Urbervilles, as is the Pure Drop Inn, (The Crown) and Rollivers (The Blackmore Vale Inn). These were our main destinations today.

Heading east from Templecombe towards Buckhorn Weston we paused briefly on Gigg Lane Railway Bridge to listen to and watch a murder of crows squawking noisily to each other.

Crows nests adjacent to Gigg Lane Railway Bridge

From Kington Magna there are three roads from the vale up to the ridge, Barton Hill, Church Hill and Chapel Hill.  The latter was our chosen route today.  Half way up I  spotted a couple of beacons which I thought may have been used in 2012, a year that saw the UK celebrate  the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and host the London Olympics. We stopped by a dilapidated gate to take a closer look, only to discover to my disappointment that they were phone masts.  The masts are only just visible in the background of the following photo.

Chapel Hill, Kington Magna

At the top of Chapel Hill we turned right and then made our way south across the A30 to Fifehead Magdalene, where we made a very short detour to sit atop a wall at St Mary Magdalene Church for a break.

St Mary Magdalene Church,  Fifehead Magdalen

After eating our fruit we wandered around the graveyard and discovered a lovely view east towards  Duncliffe Woods.

Duncliffe Woods from St Mary Magdalene Church

Back on our bikes we cycled down Fifehead Hill for the very first time.  We have cycled up this hill often (or should I say cycled and walked) but never in the opposite direction.  This made for a pleasant change.  At the bottom of the hill we turned left into Mill Lane, crossing over the River Stour before heading up into Marhull.

River Stour, Mill Lane, Marnhull

On turning left into Burton Street we spotted a "spittoon" of llamas which we felt necessitated closer inspection.  Unfortunately we were unable to get any nearer so abandoned our quest and headed for The Blackmore Vale Inn or Rolliver's as it is referred to in Tess of the D'Urbervilles.

Rolliver's, Marlott

Photos taken we once more set off and now with St Gregory's church spire in sight we pedalled up Church Hill and turned left towards  the Crown Inn.  (The Pure Drop Inn in Tess of the D'Urbervilles.) 

Pure Drop Inn, Marlott

Our next destination was King's Mill south west of Marnhull.  We turned round and cycled along New Street towards Cox Hill and a very fast descent which saw me reaching speeds of 30mph.

Cox Hill, Marnhull

At the bottom of Cox Hill, we stopped at  King's Mill, a redundant water powered corn mill. Built in the early 19th Century, it is now a Grade II Listed building, "which retains a good collection of historic machinery, with features and fittings which illustrate the milling process from start to finish." British Listed Buildings - King's Mill

King's Mill, Marnhull

There is much of interest at the bottom of Cox Hill.  Downstream from King's Mill is King's Mill Bridge,  built in 1823 and another Grade II listed building. An inscription on the bridge warns people of the risk of transportation for life if the bridge were to be damaged!  The River Lydden joins the River Stour south of King's Mill Bridge and with the River Cale having joined the Stour a little further up stream this area is prone to flooding.

King's Mill Bridge, Marnhull

Transportation for Life Sign on King's Mill Bridge

River Lydden joining the River Stour, King's Mill

 Having finished looking at all the wonderful sights we cycled over the bridge and up King's Mill Road turning  right into Lower Road  towards Stalbridge, cutting along Jarvis Way to Station Road and then down towards Gibbs Marsh Trading Estate.  

Normally from Landshire Lane we head towards the A30 crossing over to join Park Lane and then onto Yenston.  This week however I wanted to avoid the stretch of main road from Yenston to Templecombe because of the steep hill on the approach to Templecombe.  At the end of a very long ride we both find this hill a struggle and a little dangerous.  The fear is that if one of us were to stop on the ascent we could end up bumping into or under a passing car. 

Instead we continued along Marsh Lane this time taking a left turn towards Henstridge and what a gem this stretch of road turned out to be.  Tucked away behind the main drag, free from industrial estate traffic it was peaceful and pretty.

Marsh Lane, Henstridge

Continuing in our efforts to avoid  approaching Templecombe from the south and aiming instead to arrive from the west we cycled through Henstridge turning right onto the A357 at the Bird in Hand Pub and then left onto the A30. Unfortunately neither of us had anticipated the long hill out of Henstridge which at this late stage in our journey turned out to be rather hard work.

We took the first right into Bowden Road towards Henstridge Bowden.  Another lovely stretch of road, parts of which are on a ridge flanked with mature trees, with views both to the east and west.

As well as avoiding the hill at Yenston there was another reason for arriving at Templecombe from the west,  a wonderful long downhill ride along Bowden Road.  We could coast along and relax in the knowledge that no more effort was required for the remainder of our journey.  

At the end of our longest ride to date JC looked as exhausted as I felt. Culturally and historically, a fascinating ride with wonderful views to boot.

Hail Stones and Big Stick

Date:                    18th February 2021

Weather:            9 °C  Hail  and Sunshine

Destination:     Circular route 

                            Templecombe, Milborne Port, Stourton Caundle, Stalbridge 

Duration:         4 hours very leisurely ride with lots of stops

Distance :         17 miles approx

                             (measured using a piece of  thread and a map)

One of the Girls!

 I thought I had allowed plenty of time to get ready for our trip today,  however I was about five to 10 minutes late meeting JC for the start of our ride due a lack of forward planning on my part.  With temperatures  10°C warmer than the previous week I wasn't wearing a hat,  so had to adjust my helmet straps; there was a quick last minute dash back upstairs to change my socks as  one of the pairs I'd chosen to wear were so thick I couldn't put my boots on;   I had remembered to pre-charge the action camera batteries, but I hadn't actually fitted the camera to my bike;  I had downloaded Map My Ride onto my new phone but hadn't thought about needing to log  in and although my bike was ready by the backdoor already loaded with bike pump, tyre repair kit, tangerines and a bottle of water,  where was I going to store my waterproof trousers for the forecasted hail showers? 

Apologising for being late, we started cycling out of Templecombe towards Bowden.  Infuriatingly and not surprisingly the combination of an uphill climb and changing down from front 2 to 1 gears, resulted in my chain coming off.  (This is becoming such a common occurrence that I really must get it sorted!) Not much further along Bowden Road it started to hail.  With my waterproof trousers stored in my saddle bag I stopped to  retrieve them and put them on, teetering around  as I  endeavoured to quickly get them on over my walking boots.  I was wearing cotton tracksuit bottoms and the prospect of cycling for the next few hours in wet trousers was not very appealing.  JC was more suitably attired in Gore-tex trousers, which are waterproof and breathable. 

Come sunshine or hail!

We cycled on through Bowden and down Wheathill Lane,  not dawdling  at the top of the lane to take in the views over Milborne Port, but instead stopping in the middle of the village to admire a fast flowing River Gascoigne rushing under Rosemary Street, on its way to join the River Yeo, just before Sherborne Lake.  The Yeo  eventually feeds into the River Parrett, which ultimately empties  into Bridgwater Bay and the Bristol Channel.

River Gascoigne, Milborne Port

We crossed over the A30 into Goathill Road, this time cycling over the River Yeo.  At the end of the following clip you can just see the river on the left.

Cycling into Goathill 

 

Fortuitously we found some good excuses to stop en route up the steep hill of Rue Lane .  Our first sighting of new born lambs in 2021 necessitated our first stop.  

Our first sighting of lambs in 2021

A little further up the hill we came across some unusual cattle sporting a white stripe along their backs, our second stop.  Comparing my photos with online images led me to deduce that they are Riggit Galloways, a Scottish breed of  cattle able to live outside all year round and renowned as beef cattle.  

Riggit Galloways

At the top of the hill and along the ridge we found a gap in the trees with a north facing aspect across to Purse Caundle in the distance, another stop.

Normally at the crossroads north of Stourton Caundle we turn left into Stalbridge Road, however my plan this time was to turn right for a quick cycle through the village. We only got as far as St Peter's Church where we stopped for our first refreshment break, sitting in the sun on a wall at the back of the church, before turning back and heading northwards towards Stalbridge. 

St Peter's Church Stourton Caundle

For our next refreshment break we sat on a bench located in a recess in  Stalbridge Park's surrounding wall, with views  towards Bulbarrow on the Dorset Downs.  

View from Barrow Hill over to Bulbarrow

We then cycled down Barrow Hill through Stalbridge crossing over the A357 into Station Road and on towards Gibbs Marsh industrial Estate.  

Cycling into Stalbridge down Barrow Hill

Normally we cut through Henstridge Airfield from Landshire Lane to avoid industrial traffic, but much to our consternation  our route was blocked by a recently erected fence, forcing us to rejoin Landshire Lane.  As we crossed the A30 into Park Lane we lamented the departure of "The Girls."  I tried to find a collective noun for group of alpacas and  somebody online brilliantly suggested  a spittoon of alpacas!   

The Girls

Further along Park Lane we negotiated a long large puddle, disturbing reflections of roadside hedges and a solitary tree.

Cycling through one long puddle Park Lane, Yenston

Approaching Whitchurch Lane  a tall man a little way ahead of us, reached down to hold onto one of his dogs, or so I thought.  Imagine my surprise and concern when he turned around with  a large stick held aloft in his right hand ready to throw in my direction!   Fortunately he spotted me and quickly lowered his arm before I took evasive action.

Our final section involved cycling along the A357 from Yenston to Templecombe,  timing the traffic lights correctly so that I could get some downhill speed  to propel me someway up the following steep incline.  I couldn't risk my chain coming off along a busy road so had to continue in front 2nd gear, knowing it would be difficult to get to the top.    I made it three quarters of the way up and nipped into a small drive where I jumped off my bike and manually changed the front gears down to 1 whilst stationary, then continued on my way. 

Arriving back in Templecombe

Numerous stops added to our journey time this week, but we would not have it another way.   We always like to take in and enjoy our surroundings rather than charging on by.  

Route