This was the walk on our AGM in Tess of the D’Urbervilles country, visiting Sturminster Newton, Marnhull (Hardy's Marlott) and Shaftsbury. We stayed at the Crown ('The Pure Drop') in Marnhull.

The walk, based on the AA walk Follow me to Fiddleford took us from Sturnminster Newton Mill, along the banks of the Stour to Sturminster Newton, past St Marys Church and its magnificant Wellingtonia, across fields to Fiddleford Mill and Fiddleford Manor where we picniced. Then the climb up through Piddles Wood (hazel, oak, larch, sweet chestnut but no Wild Service Tree spotted) down through Dirty Gate and along the thankfully dry Gipsy's Drove, through a solar farm, got a bit lost after crossing the A357 and back to the carpark. Rolling, wooded countryside and hazy vistas.

Heartly pub meal in an alcove which surely Hardy himself favoured. AGM uneventful apart for the radical name-change to Bob's 'The Hardy Annuals'.

On Friday we visited St Gregory's church, lively with flower ladies and organ music, and the churchyard where we shed a tear or two for the hapless Tess and her baby. Then to Shaftsbury - Iconic Gold Hill, the excellent museum, the Abbey grounds, endearing jazz musicians and picnic.

Lovely weather, countryside and company.