Tuesday 24th January 2017

It was rather like an Agatha Christie whodunit....."and then there were 5"; falls on the ice, colds and holidays to warmer climes (where it snowed !) all contributed to a small select band of Mileaters setting out on a day of thick fog to Evershot and Melbury Park.

But there was no fog as we started our 5 mile walk, just a glorious Winter's day, cold for sure, frosty, but wall-to-wall sunshine. The Park was a delight, and for Cathie and Tony a first sighting of the resident deer herd added to the enjoyment. Onwards past impressive Melbury House, dating from around 1550, and then Thomas Hardy's mother's house, we arrived at Melbury Osmond church with its own Hardy connections.

A circuit of the village and its fine ham-stone cottages and we were beginning our return journey along the eastern boundary of the Park. The one hill of note necessitated a pause for breath but then it was downhill all
the way to the cars, soon to be followed by the delights of the welcoming "Fox and Hounds" in a very foggy Cattistock.

Nick's luck with the weather on a Tuesday walk had been maintained, perhaps he does have a pact with "Old Nick".