A good turnout this the first colder evening, with several returnees including Rent Boy plus visitor from the Ascension Islands who was no doubt feeling the chill.
GM Piltdown's question “which village was featured on Country File” was swiftly answered “Bickington” followed by Doris's requests for Hares for January and Fallen Woman’s request for payment upfront for Fish & Chips ready for her 11th Dec.Trail.
After Pisswell's advice re L/S and “THE HILL” off we set into the dark woodland of Stover Country Park. I had thought that my knee would be ok this evening but after a few yards I was forced to walk
:(We all headed out of Stover to Drum Bridges roundabout, passing through the array of lights and crossings, into the Great Plantation walking as swiftly as I could I just managed to catch up with Bobbiball another of our walking wounded!
Wide Receiver passed as we trekked on through the ever deepening mud, so at least we still ahead of some! We followed the well marked trail out of the Plantation, dodging speeding traffic on the Bovey Straight, to the footpath through Heathfield Estate meeting up with Pisswell at THE HILL!
Never been into this woodland or up this unique HILL feature which had somehow been left surrounded by homes and industry. At the top of the steep slope was the Sweet Stop where most of the sweets had gone I thought immediately of Piddler, but found that he was only just appearing up THE HILL.
We moved on Bobbi and I deciding this was far enough, taking our own Short trail back to Stover, which involved crossing the A38, where that pedestrian gap had now been closed, so a “leg over” was needed to clear the barriers and a brisk limp to avoid traffic!
Facing us now was the impressive old main gateway to Stover House was built by James Templer in 1780 (of Templer Way fame), who made his fortune as a building contractor. After finding a way around this huge feature we headed towards the CP helped by those very useful reflective markers on the trees.
The On Down was The Star at Liverton where Party tickets and Raffle Tickets were being sold, also a mixed hot and cold buffet for £5 had been promised, but we had to pay for the Down Downs, which were awarded to:-
Arfanar for getting Stover confused with Decoy (well they both have trees)
Pisswell for not checking for Down Downs with the pub
Tripple Jump leading the Lost off trail.
Hunk O'Beef going round the Long twice!
Rent Boy a Happy return drink from the pack
Well done to Pisswell for an excellent solo lay and evening!
On to next week on Little Haldon Nat. Trust CP, OD Dicey Reilly’s, Teignmouth, (Acrobatic Air Wing Walking theme)
Hares, Rise n’Shine, Zoot & Soapy
On On
Winfield
