Brompton Regis

We have Ron staying with us. Ron and Derek have grown up with each other and share many of the same interests in farming, wildlife and the countryside. We all went down to Bury near Brompton Regis last evening and walked up the Haddeo river towards Wimbleball Reservoir. On our side of the river, we walked along Hartford Bottom and Storridge Wood which is mainly oak, beech and ash trees. Tracks have been created so there are lovely walks up through the wood itself.

We passed Brompton Regis Fish Farm were they hatch and breed trout for fishing lakes. We watched hundreds of trout at various stages of growth in the lakes. Aeration 'buggies' on the lakes keep the water moving and these are interconnected via locks. The whole area is very interesting.

We carried on to the hamlet of Hartford where a car had got stuck. What is about men and getting cars out of difficult situations? Ron and Derek’s eyes positively lit up at the thought of solving this particular problem! After alot of discussion, scrabbling in the dirt, the creation of a towrope out of baler twine, the vehicle was successfully extricated and the grateful driver (yes it was a woman) drove off.

Time was getting on so we walked over the bridge and followed the path through some fields and then up a steep hill to the top of Wimbleball reservoir. It was almost uncanny to see such a huge concrete building in such a beautiful area of countryside but the views across the reservoir and up to hills in the distance were amazing.

By now it was beginning to drizzle slightly and I wasn't sure whether the sound of rumbling was distant thunder or mine and Ron’s tummy - we were all very hungry. We walked back via Haddon Hill and through the woods dropping back down to Bury. The bluebells were vivid and the damp air made the scent even more intense. The birds love this type of warm damp weather and the blackbirds and thrushes were almost competing against one another!

The walk was about 2 .5 hours in beautiful countryside with ‘unbelievable’ company! We arrived back at The George Pub in Bromton Regis a little soggy and very hungry but its amazing what some good food and a couple of glasses of beer can do!