LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOOD

After driving the car to Strawberry Line, Ann dropped me off at the petrol station by Winscombe Hill Lane. I crossed the A38 main road to Winscombe Drove Lane, the start of the walk. It was a steep ascent past several houses to the very muddy Drove. As I'd forgotten to put my boots on and was only wearing trainers, I had to pick my way very carefully. A very senior moment. The constant mud in the lane made if very difficult to judge the distance I had walked, and although I was constantly looking at my map, I had trouble finding the lane I needed to for Winterhead Hill Farm. I almost walked down the lane before the West Mendip Way Lane I wanted. If it hadn't been for a huge floor across the lane I would have gone wrong. It was only while I was investigating a by-pass route that I realised my error and that I had to go further down Winscombe Drove. As I approached Winterhead Hill Farm I was greeted by two very large barking and growling dogs. I shouted for their owner to allow me to pass, which he did. In the excitement I missed my turn and had to walk across a field to get back on track. At the farm I spotted an abandoned car which was only just visible because it was almost completed engulfed by flora. Good views from the Mendip Hills of north Somerset on Winterhead Hill. Steep descent to stream and very steep ascent to Cuck Hill at Shipham, where the signpost shows that the West Mendip Way meets with the start of the Limestone Link Path. I changed paths at this stile to the Limestone Link from the West Mendip Way, by walking through Shipham instead of skirting the village. I spotted a bench on Cuck Hill where I stopped for refreshments, then continued past St Leonard's church to 'The Square' and war memorial. After passing through the village I stopped again for more refreshments at another convenient bench on the north end of Rowberrow Lane near Hill Lane. I walked along Hill Lane to Rowberrow Bottom earthworks although I wasn't sure what the earthworks were for, dwellings or flood relief. Without delay I continued on the track into Rowberrow Warren Wood instead of following the Limestone Link past Apple Tree Cottage and Doleberry Warren. There were good tracks through Rowberrow Warren back to Limestone Link Path, which was fortunate as one signpost was almost hidden in the bushes. As I approached the Path again I could hear young girls' voices which was quite a surprise after the tranquil wood sounds in Rowberrow Warren. I met the young ladies as I exited the wood, they were obviously having a good time in a completely different environment from normal. I continued onto Black Down where I had to take great care to follow the correct route because there were far more paths in reality than the few shown on the maps. As I approached Burrington Ham on Black Down the trees dwindled and the ferns became higher and more intense. At this point a path had to be followed, as it was almost impossible to walk through the ferns to another path. The cliffs on Burrington Ham became more and more impressive as I walked east, so it was no surprise why climbers travel from afar to enjoy the cliffs. It wasn't until I encountered 'West Twin Brook' and 'East Twin Brook' that I was sure I was on the right track. It was a steady ascent to the east end of 'Beacon Batch' before the descent to Ellick House and Burrington Combe, the end of the walk. Ann was there to meet me at the car park, thank goodness. We drove along Burrington Combe on the B3164 and I'm pleased we did because the scenery was spectacular. I can understand why the Combe is so popular with walkers and climbers. We drone on to Weston Super Mare for a walk along the prom, yes I did have enough energy! Another excellent day's walking with lots of variation and constant navigation through the myriad of footpaths in the area. Pity about my footwear.

Location Map: - www.streetmap.co.uk, - Start: at Strawberry Line