2nd March '23 DH, RW, TO, AC, BFS, PC, DL, JB, CH, Scrumpy & Maisie
It was a bit of a shock when opening the curtains at home to find the road, cars and gardens covered in a good dumping of the white stuff. Although vehicles had moved since it fell I was still a bit concerned about our RV this week as it was initially planned to be down in the woods at Gare Hill. So a rethink and quick message around saw it moved to a large gateway up on the main road. With six going from Wincanton it meant 2 cars for the first time, and very conveniently we arrived at the same time under a canopy of snow covered trees. The northern bunch arrived a couple of minutes later and after donning boots, waterproofs and hats we set off down the track we should have driven down. The snow was a couple of inches deep but already melting and large drops were falling from branches overhead, as we paused against a group of low trees which provided us a great background for this week’s groupie.
We turned right and through a metal barrier that was blocking the way to what was previously the parking area and started walking along a standard forest track. The ground was exceptionally wet and melt water was forming mini stream through the snow across the track. We had only gone about 100 metres when a cry went up from the leading group, as for the first time ever on our walks a small wild boar was crossing the path right in front of us. Unfortunately those at the rear didn’t get to see the little porker, and thankfully neither did the two dogs, although when we reached the spot where it had crossed we did manage to put our best tracking skills into action and found the trotter marks in the snow. We have walked this range of woods for a few years now and have known about the boar being common in the Stourhead end, where they were subject to a cull in 2018, but this really was a wonderful surprise for us all.
We made steady progress through the muddy puddles and slippery edges and came to
a junction where we turned left and almost 180 degrees back on ourselves. Thankfully the track was a bit more solid and easier going as we worked our way down towards the edge of the woods. As the trees thinned we could see the fields to the west were still covered in snow and when we reached the bottom end of the access track the sun was breaking through in patches on the countryside across to Witham Friary and beyond.
Despite being well short of half way at this point, Dereyk took the opportunity to redeem himself for last week by producing another bag of confectionary from his pockets and offering them round. Take up was pretty high and by the time we set off again, the chatter had reduced as cardboard lolly sticks protruded from many mouths as we slowly climbed back into the middle of the woods. The trees through this area were extremely tall which was well demonstrated when we came across one which had recently fallen. The rootstock had been ripped out of the ground and the trunk was leaning against other trees. In our younger years it might have been an opportunity to see who could scramble up it the furthest, but with our ages against us we unanimously declined the offer for fear of damaging ourselves significantly were we to fall. The track came to an end as it met a minor road coming up the hillside from Witham Friary and we turned left onto it and started the steady climb to the top. Just before the summit we turned left onto a small path right in front of a hundred year old cottage. No doubt when it was built in 1907 it would have had a great view back down the hillside and would have seen some wonderful sunsets.
As we paused to regroup at the track we were treated to a break in the clouds and bright patch of sunlight and so quickly got the camera out as another groupie was called for. As we made our way back along the track, the wet and muddy ground returned and we constantly jumped, splashed and slipped our way from high spot to high spot, frequently making big changes from one side to another just to avoid the worst of it all. Rather surprisingly we made good time across this stretch and were soon back on the main access track where we past the first selfie spot which was now totally devoid of the snowy background. We arrived back at the cars after 1 hour 50 minutes having completed 3.6 miles, which just gave us enough time to get out of our muddy boots and take the short drive down to The Old Red Lion, in North Brewham.
For most this was our first return to Toms in 10 months but for Lothers it was their first time stepping back in time into the dark bar area. Thankfully the fire was burning well and two tables were laid ready for us by the old bar billiards table. Orders were placed quickly and very soon the young waitress was bringing out the drinks, 2 pots of tea, one for each table and a pot of coffee to share between the coffee aficionados.
Another good breakfast was served to us all and quickly consumed, included the marmalade to go with the toast, a unique feature of the Red Lion. by the time we came to leave much of the snow had melted and it was a much picturesque drive home.
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