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The West Dorset Magazine, July 1, 2022
Health & Wellbeing
Walking West Dorset
with retired Dorset rights of way officer Chris Slade
FROME VALLEY TRAIL: 7th WALK This is a relatively short walk of a little under four miles and is mostly flat and easy going. You’ll get extensive views over the vast water meadows without paddling in them (as I used to do). Start at the former Swan Inn (which used to serve a good pint!) at Fordington. Cross the road and bridge then turn left and head east, downstream, alongside the river. Lubbecke Way is on your right. Mostly the path is well used and mown but there’s one short section which is rumpled and will soon be nettly so, if you’re a wimp or wearing shorts, divert onto the adjacent Tarmac. When you come to a double arched bridge turn right to join St George’s Road next to allotments. Head east under the long bridge carrying Dorchester bypass. Continue through Fordington’s industrial estate and the massive
water works until you get to the town dump. Here you join a bridleway on the lefthand side and carry on alongside a small stream at the edge of a large field. Eventually you join the road at Frome Farm, West Stafford. Turn left and
follow the road northwards for half a mile, trying to keep count of all the bridges you cross! When you get to the large bridge at Lower Bockhampton, bearing a ‘Transportation Plate’, turn left and follow
Bockhampton Path westward for a mile, although you might like to take brief diversions to look at the lake at Kingston Maurward or the church at Stinsford. Again you pass under a bridge with the bypass. It was around here many years ago that I saw an otter being hounded to death. When you reach the road, turn left to Greys Bridge, then left again and back to The Swan.
Remembering Lauren’s legacy after free resources to help people relax and take stock.
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
I have written before about the weather and how it affects our lives. I don’t want you to think this is a weather blog but yesterday was stormy all day until late afternoon when the sun burst through black clouds and... wham: there was a fabulous,
stunningly bright rainbow arching over the hills. It was magnificent. Intense rich colours hung in a perfect arc and I
immediately thought of Lauren. Lauren loved rainbows. I met her in New Zealand where I was living at the
