puddleshark: (Winteroak)
puddleshark ([personal profile] puddleshark) wrote in [community profile] common_nature2024-12-04 05:00 pm
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A walk in Thomas Hardy country

Bridleway To Higher Meerhay 1
A walk in West Dorset, in southern England, on the downs above Beaminster. I hear the views are spectacular. It's just that every time I've ever been there, it's been foggy. 😊




Bridleway to Meerhay
The track uphill to Meerhay. Water flowing in streams alongside the road, and through culverts under the road, but mostly behaving itself and staying off the road itself.

Onwards and upwards, into the cloud...

Bridleway To Higher Meerhay 3

Bridleway To Higher Meerhay 2

Once up on the hills, I followed a short stretch of the Wessex Ridgeway long distance path.

The Wessex Ridgeway above Beaminster 3
Along hidden tracks.

The Wessex Ridgeway, above Beaminster
Across the wide open downs.

Near Langdon Farm 2
The countryside around Beaminster has some splendidly sinister beeches.

The Hardy Way, near Beaminster 3
Headed back down the valley towards Beaminster, with the rain starting, through fields and woods. I was following another long distance footpath - the Hardy Way - which explores many of the villages and landscapes associated with Thomas Hardy's works. I can report that the upper stretches of the Hardy Way are quite muddy. The lower stretches are very, very muddy indeed.
full_metal_ox: A gold Chinese Metal Ox zodiac charm. (Default)

[personal profile] full_metal_ox 2024-12-04 08:18 pm (UTC)(link)
Some of us would love to prowl broodingly through such terrain (in a billowing cloak and sturdy water-resistant boots.)