When the Light Returns: From Flooded Moors to Brighter Days.
As winter slowly loosens its grip, I find myself reflecting on incongruent sadness, the weight of low moods, and the small daily beauties that help us move forward.
Monksilver and the Edge of Exmoor: A Subtle Detour into Childhood
We woke to a suggestion of frost beneath an icy sky. Recent rain reflected the sun’s rays, and the stream running through the village burbled audibly out of sight. All was still. For those who have delved into my earlier posts, you will be au fait with Hunky Punks. The grotesque relatives of gargoyles that adorn churches, taunting unsuspecting parishioners and pilgrims from above. Coupled with the fact that, despite slightly woolly details, Sir Francis Drake was wed here for a second time in 1585, you have a recipe for a fantastic place to start a walk. History and folklore again combine to elicit curiosity.
Wandering Barrington’s Hidden Ways. Autumn Among the Holloways.
Thankfully, one of the many delights of living in Somerset is the opportunity to enjoy exploring places that remain off the wider radar. It doesn’t take long to lose yourself in a walk that transports you to another world altogether, even though, in reality, home and the daily bustle lie close by. This is particularly true when you throw ‘Holloways’ into the mix.
Sydling St Nicholas. A Big Sky Walk in Hardy’s Dorset.
Having battened down the hatches the previous day, ‘Storm Amy’ was still baring her teeth on an altogether brighter Saturday. On days like these, when the wind can be heard at the moment of waking, I am always drawn by the need to get outside and experience the elements in all their glory. To feel a greater sensory connection to the landscape. Indeed, with Autumn firmly announcing its arrival, it felt right to embrace this change of seasons by taking a wander that would offer an opportunity to become immersed in the countryside and let the weather be part of the experience.
Pentire Point and The Rumps. Where Legacy Meets Landscape.
The author reflects on annual family holidays in Polzeath, celebrating children’s enduring joy and the beautiful landscape. The coastal path offers an escape, inviting exploration and contemplation, particularly at ‘The Rumps,’ a poignant historical site. These moments evoke gratitude for simple pleasures, emphasising kindness and grounding perspectives in life’s complexities.
A Curious Cyclist’s Somerset. Hunky Punks and Hidden Histories
The chance viewing of a programme about folklore inspired today’s two-wheeled wander. This particular one was hosted by Charlie Cooper ( He of ‘This Country’ fame), who took a warmly amusing and enthusiastic look into folklore tales from around the country. From the ‘Black Dog’ to crop circles and the legend of King Arthur, the …
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Somerton at Dawn. A Chance to Take Stock and Appreciate Simple Pleasures.
So here I am, at an important moment. The school year has come to a close, and more significantly, the threshold of turning fifty has been crossed. My task for this summer break is clear. Can I demonstrate an improved ability to relax and enjoy making the most of it, without anxieties creeping in? The …
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Tealham and Tadham Moor: Seeking The Wilderness Nearby
Since boyhood, I’ve been fascinated by wilderness, not as a place at first, but as an idea. One Christmas in 1988, I unwrapped a hardback guide called Wild Walks, a book that chronicled some of the most remote landscapes in the UK. Its photographs carried me far beyond the edge of the suburbs, and I …
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London’s Royal Greenery. Monumental Landmarks and the Urban Forest
The author reflects on growing up near London, cherishing memories of exploration and connection to the city. Revisiting areas like Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park evokes a sense of nostalgia and appreciation for both natural beauty and historical monuments. The journey culminates in Trafalgar Square, juxtaposing serene nostalgia with contemporary societal issues.
Lambert’s Castle and Fishpond Bottom: The Joy of Wandering Spontaneously
Today’s little slice of exploration took me somewhere I have driven past countless times on the way to Lyme Regis but never stopped to see. The lure of a castle sharing my family name, paired with the childish delight of visiting anywhere with “Bottom” in the title, was enough to point the car towards Dorset …
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