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LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOOD


Derek Harwood's Walking Records

If you have any queries about the pictures or descriptions e-mail me at: derek@harwoodonline.com

     Lands End to John o'Groats Fill-in Path

             Purn  to   Strawberry Line (A38)


Wednesday 8 July 2015 ......................................Walk No. 1095

Lands End to John o'Groats Fill-in  No. 9     Total 67.50 miles


Time Taken:  4:50 hrs               Distance:              Enjoyment:          Weather: Overcast
 11:55 am - 15:15 pm                  4.25 miles                   90%                     and very windy.

Temp:      Cloud:        Rain:       Visibility:        Ground Conditions:                   Nature:
 16oC         90%           1%            Good                  Slippery             Skylark, farm animals


Total AA:         Total MH:       Total LD:          Total AW:        Other:         Total Distance:
 1116.5 mls        976.0 mls     3246.0 mls         167.5 mls       1932.5 mls       7438.5 miles

Companions:  (Derek)

Points of Interest and LINKS:
Purn Hill				Bleadon Hill           				West Mendip Way
Compton Hill          		Crook Peak					Webbington Hotel  
Wavering Down     		Strawberry Line Path			Strawberry Railway Line
						          
Description:
I walked from Purn Holiday Park, crossed the A370 main road to Bleadon village, passing Catherine's Inn public house (where we had a meal after the walk) and the local croquet club. From the post office on Purn Way there was a short footpath to the West Mendip Way. As I approached 'Celtic Way” a lamb in the field saw me, came running over and followed me to the next kissing gate. I guess that the lamb was being reared by someone. From 'Celtic Way' I enjoyed the ever opening-up views across the Somerset flats to the coast. I walked past houses in Clovercot to a footpath, climbing through a wooded area to the open Down. Here I encountered the first problem: no Way sign to be found, only a Mendip Pub Trail sign at the end of the wooded area. The map suggested, “turn right” with the pub trail sign showing “turn left.” I searched for a stile or a kissing gate but could find neither. After further studying the map I turned right and walked up the Down. After a short distance I could see that I was off track and scaled a barbed wire fence. It wasn't easy as I had to pick my location and take great care, but I managed to do it without harming the fence. It was a good job I hadn't cut my toe nails for a while. After passing through a couple of farm gates to 'Roman Road', I stopped at a bench for a short while for a 'breather'. As I walked along the straight Roman Road I passed a suspicious-looking young man who was loitering around a property. There was a good view to the north from the Roman Road. As the lane turned left down the hillside, I continued straight ahead along a muddy track on Bleadon Hill. Here I continued along the West Mendip Way by turning right at a Way post and maintaining height to Loxton Hill. That is where I lost the Way again, which was mostly my fault but also due to the poor signing I took the wrong track and walked too far west. When I realised my mistake I had to track east two fields. However, from that point there were great views to the south and west. Luckily I found the gates to move from field to field, so no problem. It was a steady descent straight down the ridge of Loxton Hill to Loxton village. Walking through the village I went down a passage to Criston Road, then to save time, round the lanes via Sevier Road to a motorway bridge instead of finding the footpath across the fields. There was a good view of the motorway winding through the valley. I crossed over the motorway to the Compton Bishop area and Webbington village then went up the road to the crossroads in the village and took a left turn to Barton Road. I passed the Webbington Hotel when looking for the footpath to Crook Peak but no signs were visible. I only found one possible entry to the hill and climbed up, finding the track with a sign post in the wood. It was a very steep ascent to reach the top of the tree line. Half way up I stopped for a rest and refreshments. When I reached the top of the Way I met a lady at the signpost who was just about to descend the peak. She was training for a power walk challenge. The West Mendip Way does not cross the summit of Crook Peak but heads for the summit of Winscombe Hill, so I continued on the wide, sheep-nibbled track, across the ridge of Wavering Down as a horse and rider slowly ascended the Down from Compton Bishop village. As I walked on I carefully watched as the horse and rider slowly ascended Winscombe Hill and disappeared over the summit. I passed other walkers and cyclists during the day's walk, who were all enjoying the magic views all around. I stopped several times for a rest on my way to the summit, my final rest being on a stone which formed a seat, with an inscription in bold letters “Only a hill but all of life to me.” When I reached the summit OS column I took a wide berth because wild horses around the summit were taking an interest in my approach towards them. The descent down to the A38 main road was steep with very slippery conditions in Kings Wood due to the tree roots and knobbly stones. I waited by the 'North Somerset' sign for Ann to collect me in the car. It had been a great day for good views and scenery but hard walking. If you're planning to complete this walk, make sure it's a good weather day and you are fit.

Location Map: - www.streetmap.co.uk, - Start: at A370, Purn


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