4 July 2020 - DH, RW, AC, TO, PCL, Sully, Bill
Without a doubt the previous two garden breakfasts had been a roaring success, but with catering establishments now starting to be allowed to reopen to provide a takeaway service we decided to venture a bit further afield and sample the culinary delights of The Udder Farm Shop on the A30 near East Stour.
The walk this week would involve a climb to the top of Duncliffe Woods, rising out of the North Dorset countryside to a height of 210m, it was our first walk with any real ascent.
RV was 0900 at the main car park and despite being relatively close to most, it was actually a first visit to the area for some of the group. A warm sunny morning and we were quickly into our stride up the track towards the woods. Once through the gate the short steep hill soon had conversation turning to cardiac issues; myocardial infarctions, stents, defibrillator shocks (x18), GTN sprays, tightness of chest, frequent rest etc. We must have sounded like a right bunch of no hopers as we panted our way upwards. Thankfully we always manage to have at least one totally medically fit person with us, our own Private Godfrey: Mr R Waller. Although what his medical skills are and how he would cope with simultaneous incidents is a prospect we don’t want to test out at any point.
Having reached the far side of the woods, it was a simple decision to go higher rather than turn around, and so the final ascent commenced. Lower gears were engaged, the heads dropped and then slowly but surely with each footstep, the summit was getting closer. The talk of the magnificent views from the top over the surrounding countryside spurred us all on. It was just beneath the summit that it first came into view, peeking through the rays of sunlight cascading through the branches, obvious from the moment the twisted strands hanging limp became visible - a rope swing! And who was it suddenly made a dash from the rear with the newfound energy of a young child, but the youthful Trevor. There was going to be no holding him back. The opportunity to film this once in a life time chance for a submission to “You’ve Been Framed” was seized and with the prospect of it all going a bit wrong, we held our breaths.
As can been see, all’s well that ends well! Having had the rope stress tested once, the remainder made the wise decision that pushing it‘s luck twice was probably not wise, so having crested the summit, the steady descent back to the car park was full of tales of what could have been - if only! A short drive back to the Udder Farm shop, some lifting of tables to enable us to maintain requisite social distancing and the take away breakfast order was placed. A fully loaded breakfast sandwich with tea/coffee soon arrived and it certainly tasted good! Talk of the black pudding scotch eggs prompted a shopping spree for some and we agreed it was certainly worthy of returning again throughout the summer.
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