Lewesdon Hill in Dorset is 279m above sea level so it's only a tiddler. Spring is on its way and following a very late night and early start on Tuesday and Wednesday I threw caution to the wind and packed with a gay abandon. This is code for stupidity, the only footwear I took was a pair of trainers and the leopard print loafers I was wearing for work, there was also an issue with some mismatched socks. We left Frome after a full English breakfast trusting the sat nav and optimistic that the weather wouldn't be as bad as forecast, myself in particular with my first unsocked feet of the year.
Naturally as we made our way Somerset and Dorset we encountered flooded roads, sleet, lashing rain etc.
Lewesdon Hill is quite near the coast and surprisingly takes some finding, its roughly the same height as the hills around it and it isn't signposted. We had two sat nav fails with only Google Maps coming to our aid. I'd be lying if I said the signs gave a warm welcome to the hill. Luckily with the truck being green in colour we can without too much effort look like we're on countyside business so we dumped it at the side of the road.
The weather was inclement in nature as we began the climb but it was lovely to see primroses, violets and wild strawberries flowering, Spring is definitely here!
That Springlike feeling soon disappeared as we left the private road and turned up through the gate into the woods. This was mud central and it was clear very quickly my trainers were not up to the job. No purchase you see. One step forward, one step back and that was on a good step. Fortunately George and trees got me up the muddy track.
If we had been two weeks later I think the bluebells would have been stunning, this is a great place to walk and the beech trees were just beautiful, there's a lot of fallen trees with dens and puddles full of logs that serve as bridges to catch you out.
Onwards and upwards up the steep path with tree roots that act a steps to the plateau which is the top of the hill.
No fine view for us today as it was misty and murky up at the top. We did some mooching for the required altitude measuring and selfie and began the treacherous descent.
You may consider that I have used some overly dramatic language thus far, I can tell you now that treacherous is the only word to describe the mudslide downhill in my trainers.
I got to the bottom of the hill faster than when I walked up it. I shall let the pictures do the talking.
Being so close to the coast it felt right that we should see the sea so we headed to West Bay for a cup of tea and some fish and chips. Driving through Bridport we were distracted by a Cornish Pasty shop and felt the need to lay in a supply ready for tea. I mention this as an excuse, reason, call it what you will for our second trip driving the wrong way up a one way street. To the lady who waved frantically at us, your concern is noted but completely redundant.
I shall leave you, as we plan our next hill bagging adventure, with some gratuitous shots of West Bay in the sunshine.
Naturally as we made our way Somerset and Dorset we encountered flooded roads, sleet, lashing rain etc.
Lewesdon Hill is quite near the coast and surprisingly takes some finding, its roughly the same height as the hills around it and it isn't signposted. We had two sat nav fails with only Google Maps coming to our aid. I'd be lying if I said the signs gave a warm welcome to the hill. Luckily with the truck being green in colour we can without too much effort look like we're on countyside business so we dumped it at the side of the road.
The weather was inclement in nature as we began the climb but it was lovely to see primroses, violets and wild strawberries flowering, Spring is definitely here!
That Springlike feeling soon disappeared as we left the private road and turned up through the gate into the woods. This was mud central and it was clear very quickly my trainers were not up to the job. No purchase you see. One step forward, one step back and that was on a good step. Fortunately George and trees got me up the muddy track.
If we had been two weeks later I think the bluebells would have been stunning, this is a great place to walk and the beech trees were just beautiful, there's a lot of fallen trees with dens and puddles full of logs that serve as bridges to catch you out.
Onwards and upwards up the steep path with tree roots that act a steps to the plateau which is the top of the hill.
No fine view for us today as it was misty and murky up at the top. We did some mooching for the required altitude measuring and selfie and began the treacherous descent.
You may consider that I have used some overly dramatic language thus far, I can tell you now that treacherous is the only word to describe the mudslide downhill in my trainers.
I got to the bottom of the hill faster than when I walked up it. I shall let the pictures do the talking.
Being so close to the coast it felt right that we should see the sea so we headed to West Bay for a cup of tea and some fish and chips. Driving through Bridport we were distracted by a Cornish Pasty shop and felt the need to lay in a supply ready for tea. I mention this as an excuse, reason, call it what you will for our second trip driving the wrong way up a one way street. To the lady who waved frantically at us, your concern is noted but completely redundant.
I shall leave you, as we plan our next hill bagging adventure, with some gratuitous shots of West Bay in the sunshine.
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