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.

Galatia and Hail

Date:             11th March 2021 

Destination:    Stowell and South Cheriton

Distance:       14.37 miles

Duration:     2 hours 50 minutes

Weather:      9°C sunny intervals, hail, rain and winds of 46mph

In anticipation of inclement weather, we decided on a circular route we've cycled many times over the last four years.  Although still 14 miles long it was a much shorter ride than the 20+ mile routes we've cycled recently.

The temperature suddenly dropped and it started hailing the moment I sat on my bike ready to go.  Fortunately I was already dressed in waterproofs so decided to start cycling and make my way through Templecombe to hopefully meet JC en route rather than hang around and get cold.   Similarly minded JC appeared no sooner had I rounded the corner.

We nipped through Templecombe Recreation Ground, (Benches at the top of the Rec provide excellent views over the Blackmore Vale) and cycled towards Henstridge Bowden.  The  uphill climb seemed much harder this time, maybe because of a very strong head wind and/or maybe  due to the fact that I was feeling slightly fatigued from my first Astrazenica Vaccination on Sunday 7th March.

Just before Henstridge Bowden the hail stopped and we slowed down to make our way past three tree surgeons at work.  We were advised  that it was okay to pass as they weren't chopping any big trees down at that moment in time. No lengthy delays for us!

Tree Surgeons

After cycling though Bowden we turned right into Shoredown Lane.  A flock of sheep was busy eating their way through a crop of presumably turnips.   An electric fence ensured the sheep only had access to part of the field, although somehow two sheep had found their way into the forbidden area!

At the end of Shoredown Lane we turned left and headed towards Mary Magdalene Church in Stowell. I particularly wanted to look for the grave of Galatia, an African buried in Stowell in 1605.  (Victoria History County of Somerset and Black Tudors by Miranda Kaufmann) Unfortunately there is very little information to be found about Galatia and how she came to be in Stowell.  We couldn't find her grave in the churchyard either.

St Mary Magdalene Church, Stowell

After another hail shower, which saw us sheltering in the Church porch until it passed, we remounted our bikes, summited Windmill Hill and turned left into Cabbage Lane, cycling towards  one of our favourite spots for a refreshment break.  Whenever we pass through Wilkinthroop we sit on a wall looking out over the Blackmore Vale.   We have been coming so often that we are recognised by local residents who stop to chat to us.  On explaining the difficulty we have of identifying Wilkinthroop from Cucklington on the other side of the Vale we were advised  to look for a shed on the horizon.  

A great place to stop. Wilkinthroop

Starting to feel cold we continued on our way down Cabbage Lane, across the A357 and through South Cheriton.  From this point onwards though, the temperature dropped and the rain/hail came in to stay. Rounding the corner at the bottom of South Cheriton we had to take evasive action to avoid ploughing into an alsatian and his owner.    We both swerved to our right to avoid a collision.  My front wheel nearly colliding with JC's rear wheel.

Avoiding a collision

At the end of Batchpool Lane we crossed over Battspool Bridge which spans the River Cale and turned right into Moor Lane.  

Rainy approach to Battspool Bridge, Batchpool Lane

By the time we turned right into Gigg Lane we'd been cycling in the rain  for a few miles.  I had several layers on,  unfortunately JC was only wearing only one pair of goretex trousers and with wet gloves was  feeling the cold.  We now wanted to get back as soon as possible.

We had amazing skies for the first half of our journey today and managed to keep dry between showers, once taking shelter in Mary Magdalene Church, Stowell during a hail shower.  The second half of the journey gave us persistent rain, which led to JC feeling particularly cold towards the end of the journey.  Always great to be out and about cycling whatever the weather but always good to get back to our homes, to a hot shower or bath and a much deserved hot cup of tea.