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eBoot – January 2019

This month’s edition includes:

• Exmoor weekend, June 2019 • Committee meeting • Maps and route planner • Notices ! • Books for walkers • Forthcoming walks • Commercial corner • Some more poems

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Exmoor Weekend 21st to 24th June 2019 This is a reminder that walks are being organised for a long weekend based in Exmoor. So far there are 16 people who have said they will or may come.

The intention is that a full B walk will be offered en route on the Friday, probably in the Brendon Hills. Full and shorter walks will be offered on Saturday and Sunday, with a shorter walk in the Quantock Hills on the way home on Monday.

People are booking their own accommodation in Lynmouth or Lynton, where there is ample provision if booked in good time. A breakaway group will camp at Exford, high on the moor with pubs where refuge may be sought. It should be pointed out that these two venues are 1/2 hour apart by car so early planning of your preferred walk may be necessary!

A couple of walk leaders have offered their services, but another to lead or be on standby would be welcome.

It would be helpful if you would let Chris Sanders know as and when you decide you'd like to come (or lead a walk) ([email protected]). All are welcome, but we'll need to keep an eye on lift availability.

Committee meeting, 4th December The latest meeting of the Group’s Committee had a packed agenda. Among the items discussed were: • the meeting point for Sunday A walks. As from the start of the next Walks Programme, this will be Priory Road, a more central location than the Downs; • the Flickr site. Members submitting photos of walks have increasingly used Facebook rather than Flickr. Flickr have also indicated that they will start charging in January. As a result, it was decided to close the Flickr site. Advice is provided on how to set up albums on the Group’s !1 Facebook account. You don’t have to be a Facebook member to see Ramblers photos: there is a link under Photos on the homepage of the Group’s website; • the walks programme. Apart from Sunday walks, there is a shortage of walks coming forward for the next programme. The Area are exploring the possibility of using a new walk leader training package from the national Ramblers. If you would be interested, please contact [email protected]; • Bristol Walk Fest 2019. Although the call for walks has not yet been received, we are assured that preparations are on course. So if you have ideas for a walk in May, be prepared!

Maps and route planner There is now a page on our website on which you can plot a route on a map. The display includes the total mileage and the feet of ascent. This a valuable aid to planning walks. It is available under Walks>Map and Route Planner, on bristolramblers.org.uk.

Notices Avon Area AGM The Avon Area AGM will take place on 16th February at the Redland Green Bowls Club. There will be a walk at 10am, a buffet lunch at 12:30pm, and the AGM itself will start at 1:30. One of the national Trustees will speak, as will the Programme Manager for the national ‘Don’t lose your way’ project.

HF Holidays The Bristol Ramblers Group is now a member of HF. Chris Sanders has purchased group membership of HF as part of the Group’s booking for an HF holiday this summer. This has certain benefits for Bristol Ramblers members wishing to book a group holiday with HF. If you are interested in booking such a holiday please contact Chris ([email protected]) to discuss the procedure and the benefits.

Your Path Awaits - please write to your MP to support this crucial campaign The national Ramblers write: as you are aware, the Agriculture Bill has been making its way through Parliament and is set to go back to the House of Commons for a full debate of MPs over the coming weeks. We have been working to ensure that the Bill protects and enhances access to the countryside, and this latest debate gives us a new opportunity to push for changes to achieve this. We were pleased to see the first draft of the Bill recognise the importance of public access, but we believe that it can, and should, be more aspirational. Over the past month we have secured the support of two MPs, Caroline Lucas and Angela Smith, to table amendments which can strengthen the bill. You can find out more about the amendments on our website. Now that the amendments have been tabled we need the support of as many MPs as possible. We know how busy you all our at this time of year but we would be grateful if you could spare a few minutes to write to your MP today and ask them to support a more ambitious Agriculture Bill that not only protects, but enhances, our

!2 access to the countryside. If you have any questions on the Bill or on our campaign please email [email protected].

Our Don’t Lose Your Way project The Ramblers believe that there are over 10,000 miles of historic paths missing from the map. The project officer will speak at the Avon Area AGM in February. If you would like to become involved, you can find out about the three steps to finding lost rights of way in your area by downloading the national Ramblers guide. If you think you have found a historic right of way and are not sure what to do next, or you would like to get involved in this project via your local area, please email [email protected].

Books for walkers The Lost Words by Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris Paula Cannings writes: This is a beautiful book, with gorgeous illustrations. It is a large format, coffee table book to dip into and enjoy. The words and pictures combine to produce a magical effect, conjuring a variety of plants, birds and animals in natural settings. From a double page, vibrant picture of kingfishers to a poem about the humble dandelion, turn the pages to discover fresh delights. I'm sure many Ramblers would enjoy this book and it would be a great gift idea for young people. Robert Macfarlane has written several best-selling books, including The Wild Places, The Old Ways, Holloway and Landmarks. He is a compelling and lyrical writer. Jackie Morris has written and illustrated many books, including The Song of the Golden Hare and The Wild Swans.

If you would like to write about a book that you think has some relevance for walkers, please contact [email protected].

Our 2018 feature, Poems for Walkers, has unearthed examples of local creativity. See the end of this eBoot for a couple of extra poems.

Some forthcoming walks Full details of the walks programme are in the published programme and on our website and also on the national Ramblers Walkfinder.

If you would like to see walks in future programmes, you can see the spreadsheets on our website (walks>led walks>walks for future programme). If you would like to add a walk to one of the spreadsheets, contact the appropriate Walk Coordinator.

1st January - Crook Peak (B walk, 11 miles) Note that the 2019 New Year’s Day walk will now be led by Chris Sanders, with a different starting point. It will now start from the car park at King’s Wood, south of Sidcot on the A38 (ST421560 on Exp141). This is because the pub we were going to will be closed on the day. We will now be visiting the Star at Star.

2nd January - (Wednesday walk, 5.5 miles)

!3 This is an addition to the published programme. Meet at 10.15pm at Pensford Bridge.

6th January - Toll Free Wye Valley Walk (A/B walk, 12 miles) This is a joint A and B walk to celebrate the demise of the Severn Bridge Toll. It begins in Chepstow and completes a loop of the lower Wye valley, taking in bits of the Gloucestershire Way, Offa's Dyke and the Wye Valley Walk, and offering lovely views as we go. Lunch will be in Tintern, with several pub options. This should be a fun outing helped by there being no less than four leaders guiding the group through the different sections. Note that the meeting point will be the Water Tower for an 8:30 departure.

12th January - Burrington Ham and Black Down (Saturday walk, 6 miles) This is an addition to the published programme. Meet at 10pm at the first Burrington car park.

13th January - Backwell to Wrington (B and shorter B walk, 11/8 miles) This walk replaces the advertised Strawberry Line walk, as First Bus are no longer offering a Cheddar to Weston Sunday service. Our walk starts from the village of Backwell and climbs gently, leading to views across the Bristol Channel to the Welsh Hills, and down to . Later, we have fine views of the Vale of Wrington and the Mendips before we descend into the village of Wrington for our lunch stop at the welcoming and spacious Plough Inn. The afternoon will see us return via and Brockley Combe. The vast majority of this walk is on good tracks and well drained limestone bridal ways. Those wishing for a shorter walk (8 miles) should meet us at 11:15 at the lay-by with a bus stop half way up Brockley Combe (entrance to Fountain Timber, GR ST484664 Exp 154).

16th January - (Wednesday walk, 6 miles) This is an addition to the published programme. Meet at 10:00 in the public car park opposite The Swan at Rowberrow (Exp141 GR ST451583). Pub at end.

20th January - (A walk, 13 miles) From Burrington Ham car park (GR ST 489581), we will head toward the village of , and descend through the village down to footpaths close to the edge of , and along the boundary of Wessex Water land to . We will then start to climb up through fields and woodland to Hazel farm and continue down to Compton Martin for lunch. After the stop, we will head straight up to the top of the hills, and walk back to the car park staying on the higher ground. It should not be too muddy. Magnificent views of and Blagdon Lakes from different angles and height, weather permitting. The total ascent is approximately 2700 feet.

!4 23rd January - , Nightingale Valley (Wednesday walk, 7.5 miles) This is an addition to the published programme. Meet at 10pm at Sea Walls or at 10.30pm at the Suspension Bridge.

27th January - Rhiangoll Ring (A Hill walk, 15 miles) Starting with a gradual climb up Pen Tir, we continue to the summits of Mynydd Langorse and Mynydd Troed before crossing the valley via Castell Dinas and along the ridge to Pen Alt-mawr, and finally dropping down at Pen Gloch-y-pibwr back to the start at Cwmdu. Although mainly a walk on moorland ridges, there is approximately 4,200 feet of ascent, some of which is steep. There will be a pub stop at Castell Dinas, if the pub is open!

30th January - Charterhouse (Wednesday walk, 6 miles) This is an addition to the published programme. Park in lay-by on B3134 at entrance to Ubley Warren Farm (GR ST515558, Exp 141).

4th February - Harptree Combe (A walk, 13 miles) This a typical winter A walk in the Mendip region. Starting by , we will walk across farmland to the village of Ubley. We will then climb onto the Mendip. We will walk through the picturesque Harptree Combe, containing the scant ruins of Richmont Castle and a Victorian aquaduct, to and lunch (a pub is available). We will then continue to and Prospect Stile, with fine views across Chew Valley, and on to Widcombe Common before returning to the lake and the cars.

3rd February - Doynton and Marshfield (B walk, 12.5 miles) Starting from the former pub in Doynton we will walk through water meadows and climb the Cotswold escarpment via Dyrham, eventually reaching Marshfield for lunch (choice of two pubs and a cafe). After lunch we will make our way back to Doynton via Cold Ashton and Hamswell House. Some good views, and very probably some mud!

10th February - St Catherine's Valley (A walk, 15 miles) Starting from the Swainswick layby, we climb Little Solsbury Fort, descending to St Catherine's Valley via Charmy Down, and ascending to Cold Ashton. Here we pick up a short section of the Cotswold Way through to Hanging Hill to admire the ongoing dry stone walling project, on to Beckford's Tower (more dry stone walling) and Hamiltion House (guess what! More dry stone walling plus a recently uncovered parish boundary stone). Return to the cars via Upper Swainswick. Just over 15 miles and 2200 ft ascent. Note that there is currently no pub stop.

10th February - Hewelsfield (B walk, 12 miles) A delightful walk in rural, uncrowded countryside. Beginning in Clanna Woods, on the Gloucestershire Way, we head as far as Willsbury Farm before departing the Way, crossing fields to reach the lovely Slade Brook SSSI. We then descend beside the stream to Mork, before next climbing up to St. Briavels for the lunch/pub-stop. Thereafter, a maze of

!5 entertaining and complex lanes await us as we make our way towards Hewelsfield via The Nedge and Cows Hill, eventually reaching the remarkable St. Mary Magdalen church. We finish with a gradual descent to the hamlets of Woolaston Woodside and Woolaston Common, completing the day with a lovely stroll beside Clanna Lake. In short, expect woodlands, open-country, pretty villages, a lake or two, plus some great views of the Wye valley from the meandering lanes above.

17th February - Dyke and Ditch (B walk, 13.5 miles) A circular walk from Bishops Cannings. In the morning we ascend a downland ridge along the Wansdyke to the Neolithic long barrow known as Adam's Grave. We will then descend to Alton Barnes and the partly Saxon church of St Mary's with its ancient yew tree, estimated to be very old indeed. If people are interested we can stop at the idiosyncratic Alton Barnes photo museum. Our return route is mostly along the canal. Please note that there will not be a pub stop at lunch time, but we can stop at the Crown Inn as we come into Bishops Cannings at the end of the walk. The walk is on the long side for a B walk, but no steep hills.

Commercial corner

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Ramblers Holidays (and Ramblers Holidays Worldwide) is the Ramblers holiday walking partner. If you book a holiday with Ramblers Holidays, this Group will receive a contribution if you let them know that you are a Bristol Ramblers member (£10 for UK holidays, £20 for short haul, £30 for long haul). See www.ramblersholidays.co.uk/page/ thewalkingpartnership.

Note that this has no impact on the price you pay for the holiday.

Discounts for Ramblers members Most outdoor gear shops offer discounts to Ramblers members.

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Cotswold Outdoor is the Ramblers national sponsor, and their discount is 15%.

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!6 Taunton Leisure sponsors this local Group, and also offer 15% discounts, rising to 20% at their regular special events.

You are receiving this communication as a member of the Bristol group and you have previously asked to be kept informed of the Ramblers work by email. If you no longer wish to receive communications like this, please update your mailing preferences at www.ramblers.org.uk/my-account.

The wind in your hair: Chris Holloway

Eight thousand meters, what’s that in feet? What the hell, I’ve my destiny to meet, Up on the summit, where the earth meets the sky, Touching the Gods, where brave men cry, Or down to your arms, your body, your breast, Hear you saying, it’s over; it’s over now rest, The cold numbs my brain, the snow burns my eyes, But I can still feel your body, your warmth, hear your sighs The summit plateau, I’ve made it, I’m there, But what’s this, you’re with me, the wind in your hair, The long silken skirt you wore when we met, Clings to your thighs, like a gossamer net, I remember that summer; we fell madly in love, Like a bolt of white lightening, a sign from above. I know you’re a dream, not really here, But to feel you so close drives away fear’ Make love with me now, my body in yours, I’ll never feel pain, even though you give cause. The summit’s behind me, I’ll never reach there While you’re here with me, the wind in your hair. This challenge is nothing, a whim, just a mess All I need now is your happiness, So I’ll go down to meet you, make love while we can In the warm scented meadows, I’ll feel like a man.

Dundry - ‘the steep ascent of the ridge’: John Flanagan

South, against the drifting clouds, the great arc of the hill on which the Wansdyke, long since pastureland, contains the city still. Its ramparts, raised by Saxon men, remain along the rise, green now, and rounded by remorseless centuries.

Here, below, a cankerous rash of social homes, contained by its verdant mantle, laid over ancient bone of limestone whence were hewn the blocks of Redcliffe’s noble pile, a groin against advancing tide of bitumen and tile.

!7 Now, in this first month of the year, a moist west wind is warm. Cloud-patched fleeting sunlight gives wintered fields their form. Rectangled tower blocks stand erect, their upper windows gleam against the undulating hillside, brushed with green. Higher, beyond the urban fringe, the purple ploughlands rise, along the thin-skeined hedgerows to the ever restless sky. Old Dundry. The ridge between the city and Wessex land stands strong, and bold.

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