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Day 24: Hazel circle/Compton wood above Compton Martin to Ladies’ Mile, Bristol (15.2 miles)

Foxes were barking through the night and tawny owls calling one much lower in tone than the other. So atmospheric. I thought the new arrangement was working well but I woke shivering at 4:30. The sleeping bag was damp where I’d wrapped up with the reflective blanket.  I managed to doze but started getting up rather dazedly at 6:20. I suppose predictably there was ice on the inside of the tent again.

Green and spotted woodpeckers along with squirrels churring gave a different slant to the dawn chorus this morning. As I took the tent down I realised there were wood anemones all around me, and was pleased to leave before 8. The path took me down the lovely wood full of ramsons (wild garlic) with some toxic lords and ladies mixed in, white wild anemones and the start of bluebells.

As I came off the Mendips I seemed to come down off limestone onto red sandstone. Looking back over to the Mendips and where I camped, I realised I was now following the Monarchs and the Samaritan’s Way. Progressing through largely pastoral fields, it was with pleasure I saw cowslips growing on a small bank.

An enclosed path led me towards Winford and Dundry and I noticed the first of two aqueducts on my right. I stopped for late elevenses looking onto Winford church, and the second of the aqueducts, as this was half way (I’d planned to be here 1ish). I wondered if I could walk beyond Long Ashton where I originally planned and save Malcolm and Sarie the longer car journey, as well as make a shorter day tomorrow after I’d managed to sort out my required COVID booster.

As I walked up Dundry, a flock of linnets circled over head. A scenic path going along edge of ridge allowed me to drink in the views above the reservoirs and across the Severn Estuary. The bridges as well as Clifton suspension Bridge just coming into view round the corner really gave me the sense that my walk was entering a new phase. Descending off the hill, yellow celandines lit up the under canopy of coppiced beech. 

A Community Forest path with a well kept allotment at Barrow Common and turning east I stopped for a quick 10 minute lunch - I was keen to get into Bristol if I could. I was therefore delighted to make it into Long Ashton for 2:30, and through the delightful Ashton Court and Deer Park to the Suspension Bridge by 16:00. Sarie persuaded me to stop at Ladies Mile where they met me at 16:30, rather than change the walk to finish at their house.


I am staying here 2 nights, continuing the walk hopefully to the bridge crossing at Aust, and it is here that a re-supply has been waiting for me and I can take stock of what I am carrying. But most importantly is catching up with old friends - not just tonight but during the walk tomorrow. 









Location: Bristol, UK

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