Back from injury and travels down under

Saturday 28th March ‘26. DH, RW, PC, PCL, DL, JB, JS, Scrumpy & Albus

After over four months out with a torn Achilles, it was good to have Pete rejoin us today as we headed over to Charlton Mackrell for a variation of a route we walked a couple of years back in January’24, on what was Maisie’s first walk with us. Todays RV was a new one for us and was in the large village car park on Bonfire Lane, next to the primary school and opposite the church of St Mary. A fairly detailed map was sent to all with the timings and so as as the second car from Wincanton this week parked up along side the two Johns just before 0830, it was just the two from Bruton we were waiting for. Having met Phil, freshly back from his months travels to Australia and New Zealand in the local supermarket on Friday, I asked if he was happy with the RV for Saturday but he explained that he would be driving so he would be relying on his navigator to get them there.

And so it was after ten minutes waiting patiently that I phoned to get an update on the arrival time, only to be told that they were currently on the far side of the village with no idea where Bonfire Lane was. After working out that they were on the main Ilchester Road and now heading south, we managed to find a common point at the mini roundabout by Primrose Hill caravan park. Completing a 360 around the roundabout and then taking the first left, we soon saw the blue Fiesta drive in front of the school, with Rich smiling and waving his phone in the passenger seat. Poor Scrumpy in the back looked well confused!

Of course there was plenty of blaming each other, with suggestions that Phil was still in Southern hemisphere mode (sun to the north) , as we eventually headed off westwards downhill past the church. The sun was giving some good early morning warmth but the cool northerly wind was knocking the edge off the temperature as we turned left onto a farm track (having initially overshot it). Our path took us through the yard and then out onto the open fields where the effect of the wind was even more noticeable. We were soon in the wide valley and paused for this weeks groupie on top of a small stone bridge over the River Cary, with the reeds blowing in the background.

We continued south and made a gentle climb through a picturesque re-entrant and onto a track, which in the gateways provided a wonderful view over to the east. We could easily make out Cadbury Castle and the Corton Denham ridgeline, then heading north the Pen Selwood ridge, with Alfred’s tower just visible above the tree line (confirmed by Pete’s binos). Creech hill was initially hidden by a small copse but tracking further north we could make out the high ground beyond Batcombe and the Mendip hills above. Cranmore. Further gaps in the hedge permitted visibility of the many hangers and buildings surrounding Yeovilton airfield.

The track turned into Nuthill Lane and just before entering Kingston we turned left and headed downhill on a minor road. At the lowest point we crossed the River Cary again as it winds it way westwards towards Kings Sedge Moor, where it joins the same named drain flowing out to join the tidal River Parrett just north of Bridgewater. It was then a steady climb up the road to the Ilchester Road where we gained our first views of Lytes Cary Manor. This National Trust property which can trace its origins back to the fourteenth century is well worth a visit and there’s more about its history here.

The path was on the far side of the hedge but I opted for the route past the gate house and down the long driveway, although we did have a short pause for this weeks lollies courtesy of Deryck, which annoyed the small dog in the front garden somewhat. At the far end of the drive as it swings round to the manor, we passed through a small gate in a fence line and onto the path taking us past a couple of ponds and then through fields of young broad beans. We were totally exposed to the northerly winds and were very grateful to reach the shelter of Ridgeway Lane, as we turned north for the final mile or so back to the cars.

The hedge either side of the track provided a good mix of British species and it was wonderful to see the bright white flowers on the blackthorn bushes shining in the sunlight. We were now only thirty minutes away from our breakfast booking and so pushed on along the track, as the church of St Mary came into view again. Thankfully the track was not too muddy with just the occasional need to squeeze in by the hedge to get past a particularly bad section or two. As we reached the end of the track and with time now too short to take the loop through Charlton Adam, we had no other option than to brave ourselves for a walk on a twisty section of this busy link road to the A37. Putting JS first with his fluro jacket on, we made our way facing the oncoming traffic, which today was only a few cars, although a couple of them must have been travelling over the 30 mph limit as they approached us.

Without any incident we all made it safely down to the Primrose Hill mini roundabout and onto the pavement before turning left onto the hidden Bonfire Lane once again and up to the school.

The village school was originally built in 1853, of local stone, and has many interesting Victorian features. The former schoolhouse now provides a library, staffroom and offices. The Pre-school has its own building, with an outdoor decked area, sited next to the garden and the field. On top of the building is a restored bell, which is rung every morning by Year 6 children. Two of the rooms have unusual Victorian wall tiles, which are believed to be unique amongst Somerset schools. Proverbs carved around the walls include inscriptions such as “Hear Instruction and Be Wise” which are still appropriate today!

We managed to complete todays walk in just one hour forty minutes covering just short of four miles and so without even changing out of our boots, we jumped in the cars and followed in convoy to Newlands Farm cafe on the outskirts of Keinton Mandeville.

We were shown to our table in the window area although had to then go back up to the counter to place our orders. The choices were fairly limited, but understandable for such a small set up, but we all found something to our tastes. The drinks and food was quickly served and with no issues with the beans this week and some good tasty sausages, it was another good way to round off another very pleasant spring walk.

There will be no walk on Easter weekend and then the following week is our Easter walk with ladies around the deer park at Evershot.

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