‘Exploring the countryside and lanes of Dorset’
Hi, my name is Terry, The Dorset Rambler! The name is more about the fact that I ramble on about a variety of subjects in my blog rather than that I am a rambler in the accepted sense (i.e. ‘one who wanders aimlessly from place to place’) – I do do that sometimes but I am actually a long distance walker who usually knows where he is going……..well, sometimes anyway 🙂 !
I was born in Dorset over 70 years ago, and have lived here all my life…….so I guess if I was a stick of rock and you cut me in half, the word Dorset would go right through me! I love all things Dorset, especially the quirky……and there is quite a lot of that! Oh, and I sound very Dorset too! I love the outdoors, wildlife and the countryside, in all weathers and seasons, as there is so much beauty and character to enjoy. I also enjoy photography and have followed this pursuit as both amateur and semi-professional for many many years, enjoying some success in a number of competitions such as LPOTY. Finally I am an avid walker and cyclist and I get out on the hills, the country lanes or the coast as often as I can. This blog will hopefully bring all these passions together to provide items of interest on Dorset, walking/walks, cycling, the outdoors, wildlife, photography and much more. There is a full list of the categories included in this blog on the ‘Explore the site‘ page, so do click on those that interest you to explore more. I hope you will find my blog enjoyable and interesting. Whether you do or don’t, please feel free to leave feedback as this helps to guide me as I consider future blog posts.
Oh, and you’ll notice that it’s not entirely Dorset based either because I love backpacking the long distance footpaths and wild camping. I have backpacked a variety of long distance trails including, The Wainwright Coast to Coast, The Pembrokeshire Coast Path (twice), The Dales High Way, The South Downs Way, The Cotswold Way, The Wessex Ridgeway, The Mendip Way, The Dorset Coast Path (numerous times) etc etc, and I hope to continue to do this as long as I am able. I have also walked a lot in Wales, the Lake District and occasionally in Scotland. You will even find posts on other countries too 🙂 !
In addition to the above, I also have a creative streak, producing very non-masterpieces of art and poetry, and even whittling 🙂 ! For those who enjoy posts on creative, Christian/spiritual, reflective and lifestyle matters, there are some included here but I have also set up a new blog which I have called Time to Reflect. The strap line for this is ‘towards a better self and a better world’ which I think sums up the blog’s intention. At least one person will benefit from that blog, and that is me, because, as a Christian and a pilgrim travelling along this path we call life, I am myself seeking to learn the lessons I blog about!
Oh, and just to clarify and to avoid confusion, I am not connected in any way with the Ramblers Association, I am just a lone walker and blogger who goes by the name The Dorset Rambler 🙂 !
I set up this blog some 10 years ago and there are now well over 400 posts. My purpose in all my writings is to educate, inform and inspire and I hope I succeed in that in some small way.
Oh, and as of January 2024, I have an active YouTube channel where I post videos of my walks in Dorset and beyond. There is a link at the top of the page.
The Dorset Rambler 
This is a fabulous blog! We’re headed to the UK this summer to walk the Wainwright and are very excited. Literary walking trails in the UK and the US have been a bit of hobby for the both of us for quite some time.
Hey, Rambler, thank you for signing on to “follow” Hangin’ Out With God. I hope you find it a blessing. I enjoy your site so much. I’ve visited you mostly from my “Sandra Conner … By the Book” site, but still the same person.
May the Lord make His face to shine on you today!
Sandra
Hi I have found your site via Sandra Conner, I was interested because of Dorset. I have a lot in common with dorset myself. I live in Hampshire, from Brockenhurst, and love Dorset countryside etc and it;s history, I did think of calling my site ‘The Hampshire Hog,or Country Bumpkin, but settled for Gerry;s Space and Writing Hell. Speak again.. follow now..
Hello, Terry. I am just writing to let you know that I have nominated you for the “Genuine Blogger” Award. It’s possible you have already received it, but I did not see it posted on your blog. So, assuming I am not mistaken, you will probably want to check out the details of accepting the award. You will find them on my site at this link: http://sandraconner.wordpress.com/2012/04/25/genuine-blogger-award/
The rules for accepting are pretty simple.
You are definitely one of the most sincere and “genuine” bloggers I’ve met here on WordPress, and I believe you deserve the award.
Blessings. Sandra.
Thank you so much Sandra, you are very kind! I haven’t heard of the award and am very new to blogging – thank you for your encouragement.
Every blessing
Terry
Hmmm, just read the conditions Sandra – could take me a while as being new to this, I’m not sure I have 7 bloggers to nominate at the moment! Will keep looking :)!
Be blessed
Terry
Take your time. There’s no time limit at all, as far as I know. A lot of people have that difficulty. I was nominated for a different award recently that requires me to pass it on to 13 other bloggers that fit its description, but my problem is that so many of the other bloggers I know have received that award some time back. So I think I will go ahead and post the award and pass it on to the few I do know who ‘fit the bill,’ and then as I meet and get to know others, I will just go back into that post and add them to the list. It’s mostly a way of showing appreciation for the work other bloggers do and hopefully help draw attention to their site as well. I think taking time to get to know the people and their work is one of the best parts of the process, so I don’t think it’s something that has to be rushed through.
Hi, Terry. I tried to send you an e-mail to let you know I am mailing you some cards Friday. But my e-mail seems to be a disaster today, so I don’t know if you will get it — or if it will be readable. It looked like “gibberish” (if you know what that is) when I tried to read what I had written. (something about the HTML code — only God really understands it).
Anyway, I will try to do another e-mail later this evening. For now it will suffice to say that I decided to go ahead and make up a couple sets instead of just sending samples first. I liked them myself, so I decided to assume you would. I want to try some others too, but at least you can be using these while I experiment.
These are 5 1/2 X 8 1/2 in size and blank inside, so they should be just right for notes. And all of them allowed me to place the text on the front without disturbing your copyright data. Hope you enjoy using them. You should be very proud of your photos. I showed some of the cards to other people, and they were very impressed with your pictures.
Hi Sandra
Thanks so much for this. I did get your email but as you said, it was just gibberish and I couldn’t understand any of it! Thanks for your kind comments, I am looking forward to seeing the cards :)! You are very kind!
Be blessed
Terry
Hi Terry
Just had to leave a reply – I was looking for a few pictures of Melbury Abbas and came across some of your fab photo’s – did try to connect to your website but unfortunately couldn’t – comes up with an error.
I am setting up a website for my B&B and looking for some great photos (mine aren’t great!) – if you have time could you let me have an idea on prices? Sorry to contact you this way!
Hi Tania
Thanks for this. The best thing is to check out my Flickr stream (link below) and then email me the pictures you would like. My email address is terry.yarrow@gmail.com
Look forward to hearing from you.
Terry
I have really appreciated reading your blog over the last few months. It provides a rare perspective in blog reading that I find refreshing and pure. I have linked your blog to mine because I would like others to experience what I have enjoyed. Thank you so much! Sometime when I’m back in Britain, I would like to experience some walks similar to what you describe.
Thanks so much RAK, you are very kind 🙂
Hey, Terry. Just wanted to let you know that I have nominated you for the “Very Inspiring Blogger Award.” You can find information about it on my site. And please don’t get bogged down by the so-called “rules” of the award. Sometimes these awards can become a burden if we let them, and I don’t want that to happen. So, as I explain on the post about the nominations, I want people to comply with only the parts of the “rules” that they find comfortable. But your site is very inspiring, and I think you should have the award.
Aww, thanks Sandra, you are very kind. Happy to accept 🙂 although I don’t have 15 blogs to award. I still haven’t published your earlier award yet, for the same reason. It has reminded me that it is over 2 weeks since I did a blog entry 😦
Yes, I know. And now you have to do a really, really looooooong one. But don’t forget, because I make my nominations without requiring strict adherence to the “rules,” the people I nominate are free to post the award on their site even if they have not passed it on to a certain number of others. They already deserved the award, or I would not have passed it to them.
Thanks Sandra :))
Hey, Terry, do me a favor when you get time: go to this link and look at the picture on this lady’s post. Is it a picture of a beach in Dorset? It definitely reminds me of some pictures you’ve taken. Am I getting so used to your pictures that I recognize a Dorset beach when I see it now — or does this just seem similar? Thanks for humoring me.
http://faithrises.com/2012/11/21/psalm-95-thanksgivng/
Hi Sandra. Well it could well be a Dorset beach but to be honest its not one I recognise. There are beaches in the far west Dorset that I am less familiar with or it could be in Devon or Cornwall.
Well, see, I’ve just looked at all those lovely pictures of those Dorset beaches that you share until all the pretty beaches with prominent cliffs leading out to them just automatically make me think of Dorset. What can I say? Looking forward from another post from there soon though.
Hello Terry. Thank you very much for your blog. I am fascinated by holloways. Therefore I visit Dorset in September this year. Would you be so kind as to give me some indication to their locations?
Hi Daniel.Head for Symmondsbury near Bridport. If you walk north from the church you will find Shutes Lane and Hell Lane heading across to North Chideock. Both these are good as is the nearby Venn Lane. Hope this helps. Best wishes, Terry
Thank you – yes, this helps. Take care.
Best wishes, Daniel
Having just read your blog about White Nothe, I thought you would be interested in this – it is actually due to go to auction on 8 January 2021! https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/87304540#/media?id=media1
Thanks Joanne, that’s interesting. They do come up occasionally and what a great opportunity to buy a real getaway place 🙂 Mind you, I prefer the Captain’s cottage at the end of the block but that sold for more than double what this one is on for!
Terry, I would like to use one or more or your photos for a Church Knowle letterhead. They are superb and really show off the beauty of the place. Would this be OK? Thanks, Andrew
Hi Andrew. Thanks for making contact – could you email me with more details about use and which pictures you are wanting. My email is terry.yarrow@gmail.com. Terry
Hello Terry,
We were both encouraged meeting you yesterday on the Cotswold Way! We are still relatively new to walking, started in lockdown and the Cotswold Way is our first challenge! Our chance meeting yesterday left us feeling inspired and blessed! Thankyou for sharing. Best regards Andy and Annie
Hi Andy and Annie. Thanks for your lovely comment. It was a delight to meet you both yesterday and I would love to have chatted longer. I always enjoy meeting people out on the trail. Walking is a wonderful pastime and I’m so pleased you have taken it up as you will get hours of pleasure from it and you will see views you would not normally come across, and of course it will help keep you fit and healthy. Keep in touch as I’d love to hear how you get on with the Cotswold Way during 2022. Stay safe and every blessing to you. Terry
It’s a lovely blog, and I very much enjoy reading your posts – thank you. Perhaps, one day, I’ll bump into you when out and about!
Ah, thanks Lindsey, you are very kind. If you ever do see me out, do stop me as it would be great to meet you.
Hi Terry. I am so glad to have found your YouTube channel, and indeed this website! I live in Lancashire and ramble all over the Northwest, including the Lakes & Dale’s. Every year though in May I do a walking holiday in Dorset, staying in Dorchester. I have just watched your ‘Showreel’ video, and can’t wait to catch up on all your past walks..
Very kind regards,
Ian
Hi Ian.
Thank you so much for your very kind comment and I am delighted to have your feedback and your following. I have been posting seriously on youtube since the beginning of this year and I post a new video every Sunday at the moment. I’ve been posting on my blog for many years and there are over 450 entries on there now 🙂
I’m so glad you enjoyed my showreel and hope you enjoy my walk videos.
With my very best wishes
Terry
Thank you Terry. I shall watch one video a day to catch up to your Sunday postings 🙂. I love Dorset so much, especially the Purbecks. I first came down to search out Thomas Hardy locations and I fell in love with the landscape immediately. Once again, Thank you.
Its a pleasure Ian – there are a number of Purbeck videos on there as it is one of my go-to places during the ‘wet season’ 🙂
Hi Terry. I discovered your YouTube videos about a week ago and having viewed two of them I am filled with nostalgia. I grew up in Poole and was in a local band called The Mustard Pot in the 1970’s. A favorite pastime for the singer, Dave Read, and myself was to walk Dorset on the weekends. I moved to America in 1981 leaving Lytchett Matravers behind. Your videos and dialogue bring back happy memories and enlightenment on things Dorset I did not know. Keep up the good “work”😁 I look forward to your future ramblings.
Hi Ian. Thanks for your comment and I’m glad you like my videos 🙂 We went to school together didn’t we? Kemp Welch back in the early 1960’s. Good to hear from you again 🙂