Saturday 9 April ’22. DH, RW, TO, PC, AC, DL, IP, Sully, Scrumpy, Bill, Newton & Nimbus
Trying to keep the travelling distances down a bit, a trip back to the only walk (out of over 70 now) we have had to abandon mid walk, seemed an obvious option this week. Last time we set out through Kings Court in Gillingham was a very wet, cold and miserable December morning, but thankfully this time after a period of relatively good weather we were hoping to finally complete the route, and stay dry! As it was across a county boundary, the Cary & Bruton bunch had decided on a early start, so by the time the rest of us arrived at 09.00 they were stood in the first field waiting for us. Maybe it was all a plan to share Richards Birthday cake out amongst themselves, as I certainly didn’t see any later for us! Iain had brought both Newton & Nimbus along together for the first time, so once they were hooked up to their haltis, off we set through on the path north through the palace earthworks first established over a thousand years ago.
Fresh from his success in the Castle Cary town council appointments, Trevor truely believed that “spring has sprung“ and was the first to get his shorts on and legs out in 2022. Thankfully the sun was out as the mercury slowly rose from a frosty start and and safe in the knowledge that there would be no nettles to get through at this time of year. Approaching the railway line for the first time, we were just beaten to the crossing by a 3 carriage train heading towards Gillingham station, although by the speed it was going I’m not sure if it managed to stop in time! Safely across the line, we encountered a friendly chap with 2 Irish terriers as we got into our stride towards Woodwater Farm. Thankfully this time the farm tracks were not running rivers of slurry and skirting to the east of the farm, despite the route on the map being to the west, we followed the signs before bearing right to head in a more easterly direction Across fields and the inevitable stiles in the hedgerows.
The quality and upkeep of the public right of way crossing points does leave us wondering when or even if ever, they get checked for security and functionality. Not quite as bad as the trip south of Glastonbury last year, some of this weeks stiles were certainly a major obstacle for a bunch of aging men and their accompanying dogs. From high barbed wire to slippery or broken posts and planks, the methods of crossing said obstacles was many and varied. It also gives us a break and a bit of a laugh working out a route for Adrian, but never yet has he been beaten despite having to crawl through on hands and knees again this week. We encouraged at least 6 such crossing on our way towards Motcombe this week, which certainly slowed us down significantly. Approaching Wolfridge Farm and not yet at the 2 mile mark I was already looking to take the shorter option back. As more time was taken chatting to a very friendly farmer and admiring the pair of bright blue vintage Fordson Majors, by the time we emerged from the farm the decision to head back south was taken. A high stile with sheep fencing around caused the less able, and the bigger dogs, to pop back to a farm gate into the field, as lifting them over this week was best avoided.
Another tricky crossing and a wet slippery plank was our route out of the bottom corner of the field and then it was up to the railway line again. Despite there looking to be a good crossing point in the opposite corner, the footpath took us straight down the field and to the foot of the embankment. With a large amount of horizontal wire strands on the railway fence, obviously to keep livestock and wild deer from accessing the line, it was also a major obstacle for the legitimate walkers and four legged friends. A simple dog gate would have made life a lot easier, but having crossed the line and dropped down to the far side, the fence there was pretty similar and awkward to cross. Thankfully Bill and Scrumpy are small enough to find a way through or be lifted over but Sully, Newton & Nimbus took more coaxing and persuading to squeeze through tight gaps or even jump over.
Having successfully negotiated the railway, we we staggered to see, plonked in the middle of the field a complete functional stile, but with no fence either side of it, or even signs that there had been one their previously. We took the opportunity to gather around for this weeks selfie and to give Adrian a bit more practise on it. Having confirmed we were past half way, Dereck produced this weeks selection of lollies for us to munch on as we headed towards the rather large Donedge Lodge Farm, a visible landmark in all directions and especially for those heading to The Coppleridge on the edge of Motcombe.
It was at this point, with views south towards Duncliffe Woods that our fortunes began to change, as from here on in, all the rickety old crossing points had been replaced by new shiny metal gates. A slight decent down through a new plantation and a right turn onto a hardened bridle way alongside Kings Court Wood, where we encountered a 10m long stretch of mud and we were soon in the home straight back towards Gillingham and across the palace site. A slow 36 minutes per mile this week over the 3.6 miles route, solely due to the very awkward stiles, but certainly another good one and nice to complete the route at long last.
The destination for the “birthday breakfast” was our old favourite at the MENCAP Thorngrove garden centre, the first time back in a long time, and good to see the tent over the outside seating area, much welcomed in Covid times, has been removed. A chatty antipodean working on her first shift in a new job quickly took our orders and as we settled into the lambs fleece seat covers, it wasn’t long before good platefuls arrived at the table. Mercifully for the other customers we refrained from bursting into our own rendition of the birthday classic, I’m sure Richard would be a grateful recipient of it later in the day at whatever gathering the Waller family had planned for him. Another year older…….