common_nature | A walk in Thomas Hardy country

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. 😊

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...

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

Along hidden tracks.

Across the wide open downs.

The countryside around Beaminster has some splendidly sinister beeches.

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.