Saturday 30th November ‘24. DH, RW, AC, PC, TO, DL, Scrumpy, Albus & Maisie
It had been a week of some recovery following the snow and then storm Bert, but it was clear that with all the water around that heading off road today and risking being knee deep in fresh mud, was probably totally unnecessary. However finding a suitable route around quiet roads is easier said than done, but I opted to return to a trusty road walk starting at the Parlour Farm shop at Weston Bampfylde. Having quickly popped in to book our table, the six of us, with three dogs this week, left the car park and headed south on a counter clockwise loop which I estimated would us take between 90-100 minutes to complete.
Pete had nominated himself as road traffic safety warden and looked resplendent in his shiny new Fluor vest and suitably positioned himself at the rear of the group as we set off. At the front it was good to see Trevor back walking again and with a new set of boots on, he was soon setting the pace as we headed up past the end of the church path. Following the road around the field to the far side we came across the the small church rooms, which is where as I reminded Dereyk, we posed for the groupie on his first every walk with the group. Been a few miles walked together since then! There was plenty of water in the roadside ditches but thankfully only a couple of cars on the road this morning. Having stood aside for those we all moved into a large gateway to allow a rider on horseback and accompanying cycle rider to pass without any distraction from the three dogs. Adrian took the time to ask Richard to find his small nutritious biscuit bar from within one of many zipped pockets on his rucksack. As the road twisted around we could plainly see the route along the ridgeway we walked along only a few weeks earlier and had glimpses of both Sutton Montis church and the old hilltop fort of Cadbury Castle behind it.
We turned left and headed towards Sutton Montis but having passed the large industrial looking farmhouse of Home Farm, rather than head along the main street I decided we had enough time to stretch the walk a bit and so we took a right turn and started climbing. On the corner we passed the Sutton Montis tennis clubs courts (can’t be many villagers that have their own courts) and engaged low gear. The road was narrow as we passed a couple of substantial residential properties and although we were pulling up well we conveniently stopped (to catch our breaths) in a gate way to look across to the top of Cadbury Castle which appeared almost level with us. To the right the great mound of Parrock Hill rose above the surrounding fields and at the summit of the climb there was a moment of recognition amongst the group again as folks realised where they were again, with the the road junction and footpath onto the ridge line at Kimbers Hill being a familiar sight to us all.
We turned left and started the descent and after around 100metres we pulled into a track to allow Dereyk to provide the usual weekly sugary sustenance. Clearly as the end of the year approaches, and with Dereyk having a constant house full of grandchildren to provide for, the supplies were running low. Although a couple of us were most grateful for the sugar rush, unfortunately much to the disgust of Richard, a limited supply of just the boiled hubba lollies to choose from, opted to go without this week. Suitably refreshed we continued down the hill and along another section of The Monarch’s Way, all the time seeing the height of the old castle increasing in front of us.
At the bottom we turned left, having waited to ensure that we were safe to continue whilst a van driver who was not indication which direction he was going, made up his mind. As we progressed along the level road, past donkeys in the fields and mistletoe in the trees, the row of bushes on a nearby hilltop came into view. Pete is always convinced that it resembles a Wild West wagon train riding over the hill, but at this time of year I think the alternative thought of Santa behind his train of reindeer is worth some consideration. As we arrived into the village we passed under a large conifer tree laden with large cones. Throughout the walk Adrian has been on the look out for some cones for his wife’s Christmas crafting project, and so was delighted that he could gather a good quantity from the road side, almost filling his rucksack which he had been carrying all morning in hope.
Heading out by the church we paused to allow more horse riders through, allowing us time to admire the two brass plaques on the gate posts. The one on the left commemorating the coronation of Edward VII in July 1902 and the one on the right the Golden Jubille of Queen Elizabeth II in 2002. Unfortunately as we exited the village a strong aroma of drains hung in the air, clearly a lasting effect from the recent heavy rains. We were now into the last mile and back on level ground and as the sun started to make an appearance everyone was started to feel the effects of the warming temperatures.
Just past the red brick Meadow cottages we paused again to admire our friendly alpaca whom we have seen on a couple of previous walks. Unfortunately no John this week to do his whispering but the young creature was still happy to stand by the gate, with it big bright brown eyes and have its photo taken. As the camera was out it was an ideal chance to get our ‘groupie’ with the young alpaca in the background. Once we got going again it was only a half kilometre leg, past the large gateway into Weston Bampfylde Manor, before we turned into the farm yard, past a group of youngsters waiting for a horse ride, and into the cafe. A respectable 3.75 miles completed in exactly 100 minutes.
We were the only ones in the cafe as we took our seats at the reserved table by the window. It was almost as warm as a Swedish sauna inside the small hut and everyone quickly removed their coats and hats, as we placed our orders. Adrian had quickly decided what he wanted and got his shout in first much to Trevor’s shock, four of us went for the full English, whilst Rich and Dereyk opted for the scrambled egg on toast plus extras. The tea came out in the usual see through pots with suspended tea bag holders which don’t even touch the water after the first cup is poured, which is always one of our gripes at this cafe. As the sun continued to shine through the glass, even more clothing was removed by most and at one point we wondered when Adrian would stop taking his clothes off! After a fourty minute wait our food was delivered, no complaints from the full English eaters but that was balanced by the plethora of complaints arising from the ‘lightly’ browned toast, the almost raw tomatoes and the far from creamy eggs on Richards plate. Thankfully after clearing his plate anyway he was left on a high as Dereyk kindly shared some of his extra black pudding. All in all, a very difficult comparison with the previous weeks breakfast at the Red Lion.
Next week there will be no room for complaints hopefully as we meet with our ladies for our festive walk and then our Christmas lunch at the Walnut Tree in Mere, all thanks to Phil and Claire for organising this years event.
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