Saturday 21st January ’23. Charlton Musgrove
DH, RW, TO, PC, BFS, PCL, DL, JB, Sully, Scrumpy & Albus
The temperature was below zero and there was plenty of ice on the roads as we met outside Charlton Musgrove church for todays walk. Joining us for the first time (having sensibly avoided the invite last weekend) was former King Arthur’s teacher, coincidentally to many of our children, and Wincanton resident John Biddle. He was already waiting as the rest of us rocked up and appeared somewhat reluctant to get out of the warmth of his camper van as we all emerged with thick coats, hats and gloves on ready for todays adventure. Although only a mile out of town, today would take us along paths that are normally a bit too far away for a local walk.
Once all the introductions had been completed we set off in a northerly direction over a cattle grid and down a track opposite the rather grand looking former village rectory. The parish of Charlton Musgrove is one of the older ones of Somerset and is mentioned in the domesday book. It was later one of the villages of the Norten Ferris hundred and is unusual in having two churches and two village centres. Walking down by the older church of St Stephens which dates back to the 13th Century, the views north across the frost fields was somewhat obstructed by a low lying early morning mist.
Our route took us round the left side of Lower Church Farm and through empty fields towards Shelford. The wet fields we encountered last week had been frozen for the last couple of days and so the ground was firm and uneven as we avoided the icy topped puddles. Many of the fields had sheep fence around them so it was a great opportunity for Dereyk to let off Albus to run along with Sully & Scrumpy, although when it came to the fence crossings, some had little dogs gates that could easily be passed through whereas some had no route at all, even for the smaller dogs. As such Sully had to be lifted over a few today, resulting in those who assisted being covered in moulting retriever hair. John already knew some of the group and took the opportunity to catch up with news of his former pupils or chat with others as we made good early progress.
At Shalford we briefly walked down the road and over a bridge before turning right and across the rear of a substantial property as we headed in to the low winter sun as it started to burn through the mist. Inevitably the time came to put the dogs on leads as we approached a field of sheep, Sully was certainly more reluctant to go back on, but as an electric fence was separating the sheep from the path, we didn’t want a dog getting a repeat shock of a few weeks ago. The pathway lead us nicely around the edge of the field and towards Rectory Farm, the childhood home of one of our much missed late friends wife.
Between us and the track was a standard wooden five bar gate which normally would have been no problem. However this one was well and truly stuck shut, either by frosted ironmongery or swollen wood, and despite many attempts and even Brian’s size 12 boots, it was not going to be opened. So the only options was to go over it. A bit frosted on top but safely negotiated by most. Sully had to be lifted again and bringing up the rear John made his never to be forgotten introduction to the group in great style with an attempted gate vault. Unfortunately with a combination of frost, a low gate, lack of practise and maybe a bit of not so youthfulness as he thought, the vault did not turn out to be of the same standard of one out of Max Whitlocks repertoire. Thankfully the only photographic evidence of the stubborn gate was taken of Sullys undignified crossing and not of Johns.
A short stretch along the roads and we joined a section of the 615 mile Monarch Way as it progresses after passing through Wincanton and climbing into Selwood forest. Seeking a footpath that would take us by Sunny Hill campsite and on up into Bayford we passed through an area of small holding buildings and despite a lack of official pathway markers continued in a rough southerly direction for a few hundred meters before crossing a small stream and emerging into a large open field where we took the opportunity for this week confectionery break. Following what looked like a well worn path we passed over a small stream and paused for this weeks selfies with blue skies and an old tree for the background. Further away we caught site of our first wild deer of the year as they took off across the fields. Unconvinced of the exact route at this point (turns out we didn’t head as much south as we should have done) and following a short discussion it was decided to turn around and head back to take the Monarchs way back to complete our walk. Unfortunately by the time the lead group made it back to the smallholding, the group of eight was down to just six, with the absence of Pete & Dereyk, although we did have Albus with us. After a bit of pondering, and a phone call to confirm they weren’t laid down injured somewhere, Brain & John decided to head off in true mountain rescue style to find the missing duo. Eventually whilst contemplating the possibility of a missed breakfast, voices could be heard approaching and the rescuers reappeared with the missing walkers. With some lame excuse about a phone call regarding selection for tomorrows bowls team distracting them, or was it Pete looking closely at another culvert and we were soon heading along the Monarchs at good pace in eager anticipation of todays cooked breakfasts.
The sun had melted the frost off the fields now as we crossed the road and headed back towards Lower Church farm. Sully was rather impatient at one point to get into the next field and rather than use the gate took the short cut through a hedge and into a small stream. He was happy paddling through it, not so sure Albus was though as they both emerged from it dripping wet. As we entered the last field and before all three went back on the leads, Trevor rewarded them for their impeccable behaviour this week as he handed out some of Dereyks’ (Albus’s) dog treats. Or was that his attempt to get his new posh waterproof and lined, walking and skiing trousers into the picture? A short section on the track and a brief discussion about the renovation of another impressive property and after 1hr 45 minutes and around 3.2 miles we were back at the cars and off to Kimbers Kitchen for breakfast.
It was relatively quiet as we took our seats on the long table by the windows and with prompt service hot drinks and then breakfast were soon being enjoyed. It was also another first for the group with John opting for a veggie option, although he did silence the tomato debate (once and for all) with his enthusiasm for daily tomatoes!
It looks like the cold spell will be over and we will be back to muddy conditions next week, but hopefully nothing will deter our latest member from coming back for more of the same. Welcome aboard John!
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