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Route started 2010
And this from a walker who wished she'd read more Hardy before she set off:
"On Foot says you are going to "Hardy Country". Does that mean anything to you? When was the last time you read Hardy, or have you ever read Hardy? (These are rhetorical questions--I am not trying to grill you or question your erudition). The reason I ask is that I went to Dorset without reading or re-reading any Hardy. The last time I read Hardy was In high school, and like most high schoolers, could barely get through the first twenty five pages of Tess of the D'Ubervilles, much less the whole thing.
Well I came home and read it all. Went to the library and got Far From The Madding Crowd, Mayor of Casterbridge, Tess of the Dubervilles, Jude the Oscure, Return of the Native, etc etc., and when I finished I went to netflix and watched every version of all the Hardy novels I could find.
This took up most of my free time, of which I have little, during October and half of November. I should have done at least some of it before I went to Dorset. I guess It didn't matter really, but I think it would have been a good idea if I had read SOME Hardy before I went. Ever since I started reading and listening to Shakespeare as an adult I realize that the way you feel about these authors in high school is just not accurate, so I should have made the effort.
Hardy is a brilliant author. His first 30 pages of Tess is breathtaking in the way he captures the feeling of being in Dorset. The birds singing in the hedges, the wind in the trees. Hardy could write twenty pages about grass and I would devour every word--he's that good. And so much of where you will walk is just the way it was when Hardy lived.
Watching all the movies and made for tv series was great---so much of every version was obviously shot right in Dorset---you will see just what the shire looks like--the villages, cliffs by the Channel, meadows, ancient woods, farms, stiles, cows, mud, pubs, wheat fields, ancient cowpaths...all of it.
if you decide to do this, get the version of Mayor with Alan Bates if you can only choose one. Forget Roman Polanski's Tess, it is inaccurate and he virtually ignores the landscape. The thing about Hardy is that the landscapes, the land, is like a character on it's own that affects and shapes the people he is creating. Forget ANY version of any Hardy that has Julie Christie in it. This is just a suggestion if you have any time to do it."
"The track was very well chosen for its interesting and picturesque features. It seemed that at every turn of the track there was another charming cottage, ancient church, nestling village, flowery meadow, or a spreading landscape of rolling hills." June '11
"Dear Simon, thank you for your organizing such a great holiday for us - for me at least it was on a par with Croatia last year. The pubs were all great places to stay, and the walking - notably the day from Evershot to Bridport - is spectacular - and on our doorstep too! For me the most wonderful moment was gazing down at Plush, in its little valley, after that long day's walk, knowing there would be a blazing fire and an excellent meal at the Brace of Pheasants." Oct '10
"We loved particularly the cliff walk between Bridport and Lyme. Dick still has some (illicit) geological souvenirs from Golden Cap!" Sep '10
"Your choice of accommodation was great and the food and wine we consumed was excellent. We were very impressed with your maps and route descriptions - someone has taken a great deal of trouble writing these!" Sep '10
"My favourite walk was between Old Wardour Castle and Shaftesbury on Day 2, through what clearly must have been a lovely park once - what happened to the original house? Nigel preferred the drop down from Hambledon Hill (as you know he does like his archeology) to Chilld Okeford, and the Saxon Inn was great." Aug '10
"Just to let you know, you organised a wonderful week’s hiking. Your attention to detail is much appreciated, and I will definitely be going on more of your holidays!" April '10
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