Saturday 4th February
DH, RW, TO, AC, BFS, PC, DL & JB. Sully & Scrumpy
The TV series might have its grand finale this weekend, not that I’ve watched a single episode, but as we walked down the most wonderful example of a south Somerset coombe or valley this morning, the title for todays blog was forming in my head.
Having travelled westward down the newly landscaped A303, we met just after 9.00am in the Prince of Wales pub car park and having booked our table for 1030 set of sharply to get in todays 90 minute walk around the hill fort and country park on Hamden Hill. The outer ramparts on Ham Hill form a three mile long defensive perimeter around one of the largest Iron Age hillforts in Britain. The interior has been quarried since Roman times for its honey-coloured Hamstone giving it a peculiar lumpy topography. (Image below just for Dereyk).
We headed past the pub and out on one of the many tracks in an easterly direction past the Time Stones and out into the first of the the large open fields, to some an unknown jewel of Ham Hill. Rather than follow the normal route around the perimeter we took the pathway right through the middle, crossing through the recently rebuilt stone walls as the views to the south came into view. A skylark was heard overhead and our new ornithology correspondent soon had it in his sights. Moles had clearly been making good tunnels through the sandy ground and heaps of brown dirt littered the area. Thankfully Sully chose to carry out his normal Saturday morning roll away from them, although he still managed to find other exposed ground and was soon sporting specks of soil on his coat. As we crossed the final field, in which there are apparently remains of a Roman villa, we headed towards the corner gate and out onto the busy road that leads towards Odcombe. It was just a short 100m walk along the edge of the road before we headed through a gateway off the road and into the head of the large Coombe.
Thankfully there were no sheep in the field as we started descending into the middle of the valley so the two dogs were let back off the lead to enjoy all the open ground in front of them. Other walkers came up and hill and we were passed very easily by an early morning runner as we made our way towards the pond which marks the area of the old medieval village of Witcombe. The quietness of the morning was only interrupted by the chatter of men, discussing tactics and selection whilst looking forward to the start of this years Six Nations. We stopped for our weekly selfie by one of the information boards before continuing down past a series of fenced off small ponds, with rather unique overflow pipes sticking up at the lower end of each. Sully took the opportunity to paddle through the connecting stream whilst some of us contemplated the need for such structures. Our questions were answered at the next board as we read about the recent reinstatement of the valleys stream.
At the bottom of the valley we took the road westwards, saving the loop around the hill and woods in front of us for another day. A short way along a small stream tumbled down to the side of the road, the ideal place for the dogs to take on some fresh water and for Dereyk to hand out this weeks confectionery . The road took us past some dilapidated farm buildings and a couple of wooden lodges and a teepee on land behind a large solid gate. A bit further along, a roadside farm stall, empty of produce today, indicated the area could belong to the Tinkers Bubble farming community. Continuing into the small hamlet of Little Norton we paused again to admire a large wooden water wheel on the side of Little Norton Mill, although unfortunately it looks like it hasn’t turned for many a year, as the water currently comes over the sluice from the upper mill pond a short distance above the mill.
It was clear from all the height we had dropped down through the coombe that sooner rather than later we were going to have to go back up again. And as we stood at the mill and turned around and saw the finger post pointing to Ham Hill it was clearly the time to start the ascent. Adrian was holding onto Scrumpy at this point and by the looks of it Scrumpy wasn’t too keen to head up the hill either.
As the road turned left to slowly go up the side of the hill, we took a flight of steps back into the woods for a much steeper pathway to the top. Brian and John took off like young fell runners as the predominantly less healthy ones took a slow and steady approach. A bend to the left was the natural point to take our first breather, or as we like to say, an opportunity to take a look at the scenery and views. Refreshed or not it was time to continue the climb and through a more open section the route up ahead was clear to see. The group was well spread out and taking frequent tests, but there was plenty of encouragement being given over the entire length of the hill and the reception party of the faster climbers, now well and truly recovered, when we did all make it to the top of the climb were equally supportive of the effort. Once regrouped, although there was an option to climb even higher yet, we headed along a flatter pathway back towards the pub. Adrian decided he would like a closer look at the flora and fauna and having snagged his left foot of a bramble, did a great forward roll as he headed off the side of the path into the undergrowth. With his normal sense of humour, he was quickly helped back onto his feet and eager to get back on track. The small track we were on joined with a larger one and before long we we in one of the perimeter car parks. A quick dash across the road and through a narrow path and we were soon back at the Country Park offices and within sight of the pub In perfect time for our 10.30 booking. Just short of 3 miles completed and 300 foot climbed in only 82 minutes and not a single stile on the entire route today!
The bar was busy but our table by the window was ready for us as we quickly got settled in. Drinks were ordered promptly but it was a bit longer before breakfast orders were taken, not easy for the poor lad with so many different combinations of egg and bread on offer today. Whilst we waited there was plenty of time to hear about Trevor’s forthcoming trip to Thailand and of course for him to get some wise advice on how he should handle any meetings with the locals. I’m sure we will be hearing all about in in two weeks time. Eventually our very large and laden plates arrived at the table and with the usual eagerness to consume them the table soon quietened down a bit. Sully and Scrumpy took this as their chance to remind us of their presence and need for some titbits.
Overall a pretty decent breakfast, shame it was only a mug and not a pot of tea we had each but apart from that a good trip back down this way, and with plenty of routes still to be explored around Norton sub Hamdon, I’m sure we’ll be back again before too long.
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