158.Gold hill or EE BY Gum

 7/10

Parking @ Shaftesbury SP7 8LQ

Download map

Starting at Shaftesbury in Dorset and A very misty start to the walk, started early as well !

Very damp as well with some very muddy tracks.

This the veiw up to Melbury hill from the A350 or not !

Another Trigpoint in fact trig number 95 !

After admiring the view from top, mmmm. We headed down hill towards Spread eagle hill.

On looking back at bottom blue skies starting to show through!

Turning into a lovely day now.

A few steam engines in this yard rusting away.

Long Bottom a very nice path back towards Shaftesbury.

Stump with many Sulfur tufts on.

At end of a Long Bottom this cool looking pond, Duckweed Green looking ace ! 

Just before civilization a small family of goats ready to nibble at anything

 including our coats !

Once into Shaftebury the second reason for the walk first being Melbury hill and this being Gold hill, seem familiar ?...........

Small boy riding down hill on bike ? Heres a clue   link    and to think 1973 ! seems like yesterday almost !

After that flashback in time ! we finish walk overlooking where we've parked and looking out onto a still misty Melbury hill.

Thats all for this week, join me again next week  :)
Join me on Twitter

157.Claverton & Combe Down but mostley up

8/10

Parking @ Bath BA2 5JN

Download map



With blues skies we headed just along the road to Combe down. Filling up those little gaps with footpaths we've not waked. This walk starting at Church road and soon into Rainbow woods. Autumnal trees already.

Soon through but missed the Trigpoint, couldnt find it ! This view from North road looking into Bath over the many Chimney pots.

Across Bath Golf Club via the paths missed another trigpoint !! But rewarded with these great views, Beckford's tower and Lansdown can be seen here. Bit of a eye sore these new properties in Granville road !!

The A46 or Gloucester Road.

Then the award for best placed seat goes to this one what a view eh !

Still on seat Bathampton plus meadows where the Park and ride is not gonna be built !!
Solsbury hill,Colerne beyond.

Bathampton Meadows "JUST SAY NO!" 

Hampton Rocks now over grown. the view from here in the 1920 was spectacular !

After following on past Bath University mostley following the Bath Skyline walk then Past the extravagant Wessex Water Headquarters and down over Brassknocker hill.

The clouds turning a bit moody, but a nice place to stop for a sandwich with views across to Conkwell and Limpley Stoke .

Also a different view of the Kennet and Avon Canal.

Soon on to the canal and the Dundas Basin.

Then the Somerset Coal canal, this dog not really sure what he wants to do ?!

Lots of Narrow boats here, good job they are narrow otherwise they wouldn't fit !!

On out past Monkton Combe school and up Mill lane and this lock up circa 1776.

Then a rare sight a Telephone box and post box in PO Red ! 
With working Phone , not many left.

Onto Tucking mill where you could take in Midford lake , we chose to bypass carrying on footpaths not walked.

Then 66 steps ....73 counted ? 
Back to car, a super walk with some great views hardly anyone seen apart from around uni but a great day was had .

Thats all for this week, join me again next week  :)
Join me on Twitter

156.Charmy Down and Bannerdown

 7/10

Download Map 

 Parking @ Batheaston, Bath BA1 7HS

Today only 6 miles from home and North End at Batheaston the start. Lots of parking, free. The start is all uphill toward RAF Charmy Down or was , done a another walk up this way in 2013 but not this part, it really shows what a large area it is up there !

With still a few Building left from its RAF days.

What is they say God country ! Plenty of sky here.

Control tower can be seen in distance, not sure if any planes still land here judging by the sign id say no. In fact last plane landed here in 1946 site closed in 1950's.

Heres a closer view of the control tower, not wearing well i suppose it is 66 years old.

From the top head on down through farm and towards 

Monkswood Reservoir built in 1876 .They supply the city of Bath. 

         

Through this valley for a better view of res.         

The water comes from 150 springs in the area and is so pure it only needs 

 straining through copper gauze and chlorinating.           

Dumb ass hunter after Wood Pigeon i think !

Stunning blue sky reflecting on water making it a great place for lunch. Although this as close as you can get.

46 Canada Geese and 1 Cormorant on lake also a  Buzzard cruising overhead.

Following on along Catherine's valley and brook we come to Catherine's Court. 

Famous for  Jane Seymour,  The Cure recorded their album Wild Mood Swings, The rock band Radiohead recorded most of their 1997 album OK Computer there. English Rock/Electronic Band New Order also recorded part of their 2005 album Waiting for the Sirens' Call there. The property was also rented by Robbie Williams, as seen in the first episode of MTV Cribs. wiki

Being a Taxi driver i picked Robbie up from Bath one night and took him to the House! Didn't recognize him till he got out !! Claim to fame !

From here we start the climb up to Bannerdown.

A lovely day with some great views.

Once on top we touch the Trigpoint.

Following on round a bench and a final sit down to admire the view over Bath.

That's all for now .