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The West Dorset Magazine, August 12, 2022
Health & Wellbeing
Walking West Dorset
with retired Dorset rights of way officer Chris Slade
FROME VALLEY TRAIL: 11th WALK This stretch of the river Frome and its tributaries has no footpaths close by so the walk is entirely on asphalt. Traffic is busy on part of the route so make sure you’re visible. I was passed by quite a few cyclists, so if you’re a biker you might prefer wheels to feet. The route is undulating but not very steep. Start near Tincleton Church and head south eastwards along the road for about a mile and a half past Clyffe and Pallington. The map shows that you will be passing numerous lakes and water features and the sculpture park but, unfortunately, everything is invisible because of the hedging. You can see more of the countryside to your left where there are good views. Eventually you come to Waddock Cross where you turn right and head south west along the B3390, youcantalk.net is a new wellness and mental health resource launched by Bridport-based duo Kerry Miller, pictured, and Alex Fender. It features lots of free resources to help people relax and take stock. I’ve been trying to find a home on social media for a good while now, but so far nothing is sitting right. I’ve done a bit of halfhearted posting on Instagram and Linkedin,
which can be busy but is nearly straight so you can see the traffic coming. There are several interesting features to look out for including iron men and watercress beds. You’ll cross lots of bridges. After a mile, on your right, you’ll reach Hurst Heath which seems to be unfenced and unmanaged ferny woodland which looks as if it would be
interesting to explore to spot wildlife, but, unlike Pallington Heath further north, it’s not recorded as Access Land. Turn right at the junction and head north west for a mile past Woodsford Lower Dairy then turn right and head north for mile towards Tincleton, again crossing many bridges over the streams. You might spot some swans.
At Tincleton Farm, turn right and walk eastwards through the village for a furlong where the road turns left and leads up to the main road where you turn right and soon find your car. 5.8 miles
Getting yourself involved in but it hasn’t really done anything for me, and I don’t think I’ve done much for it either! A friend recently said that posting on social media feels like ‘just another place to be ignored’ and I agreed initially. Then I tried playing the game and connecting with people with similar interests, and almost
immediately I felt overwhelmed. It was like being at a huge party where everybody was talking at the same time and I couldn’t tell if any of them were saying anything interesting because there was just so much racket and kerfuffle. I’m not sure why, but somehow I just don’t fit in, I can’t find my place, I
can’t find a home on social media. However, an ‘old school’ opportunity arose recently. With the help of a friend who has done this sort of thing for many years – I have sponsored an event! (Thank you soooo much DE). yachtsandyachting.com/ news/251211/Youcantalkne t-sponsors-2022-CadetEuropeans
