Visit to Black Down AONB Part VII A Short Transverse Thru Rowberrow Warren & The Descent to Shipham
Channel: semw52
Date: 2023-08-30

After emerging from Rowberrow Warren I rest for a short while on a stone wall and have a drink, check the time and enjoy the peace.It was a lovely walk thru the Warren so green and lush and a part of the West Mendip Way  route-- a perfect spot to stop and recharge before heading down hill for the old mining village of Shipham with its old pub, shop and church--the other pub 'The Miners Arms' is now closed but has plenty of history   & ghosts of the miners  supping their pottels of ale/cider and talking about their work and lives...A 3rd cousin of mine and her family in Canada have ancestors from  Shipham, Rowberrow and other nearby places and when I first  visited the village it was on her behalf--finding her ancestors--some buried in the local churchyards.So the place has alot of meaning and I am so glad I managed to do some of her family history here in Somerset before she passed away in 2018--a great woman--we made contact across the Icean and we have shared Common Ancestors--the Fletchers of London....Family Tree research, walking  and hiking are my passions---so when I visit Shipham and Rowberrow and walk in the Warrens and climb the  ancient hill fort I think of Barbara and my beautiful Somerset.....I feel Blessed and privileged to walk here--a great healer as well...