DH, BFS, RW, AC, TO, PCL & DL, with Sully, Bill & Scrumpy.
It’s been over a year since our last new recruit joined us so it was great to welcome Deryck along today for the first time. A former next door neighbour from 30 years ago and now happily retired from teaching Deryck has always enjoyed walking (I suppose you have to when you don’t drive) and used to take part and help organise many expeditions whilst at school and later the health walks from the Balsam centre before lockdowns curtailed those activities.
Having completed 5 hilly miles last week a short walk on the level was in order today, so we met by the church and old primary school at Queen Camel and headed off by the quaint thatched cottages to the side of the church into the open fields heading towards the Corton Denham ridge line in the distance.
It was a lovely day for walking as the sun was breaking through and a slow but steady pace was set by Brian & Deryck. As we crossed the railway line for the first time the view of the Somerset countryside right round from Cadbury Castle to the outskirts of Yeovil reminded us of why we enjoy our Saturday morning outings. Crossing another bridge Sully decided that the stream was worthy of some of his time and he was still in it as we reached the next stile out onto the road. Maybe he knew it was one he had to be lifted over!
It was then the start of a mile long walk along roads, not particularly busy thankfully which allowed us time to admire the local flora and fauna, most striking of which was a large area of tall white Dutch iris, in amongst the cow parsley and other hedgerow plants. Just a we were getting moving again a blow out on one of Adrian’s trainers brought us to a shuddering halt. A section of the sole had starting flapping and then came totally detached, which Adrian picked up and carried on walking as if nothing had happened, it must have been a pair of Friday made trainers! Just before the outskirts of Sutton Montis we took a left and headed towards Weston Bampfylde where on entering the small village we stopped at an old building for this weeks selfie. Was it built 150 years ago as a small village school, a church hall or even a small Sunday school? Whatever it was it’s now redesignated as the village hall and used for community events.
Heading on through the village we noticed an old hand pump in the middle of a field, I wonder how long ago that last dispense any water for the livestock? We then passed the lane leading up to the Church of the Holy Cross, a 13th Century grade 2 listed building with a very stylish octagonal tower, what a beautiful entrance for a bride on her big day.
Heading down the hill Sully suddenly realised where he was as we approached Paws Parlour, his grooming salon! He has been going there for a few years now, but is always very reluctant to go in, often trying to get back into the car before he gets inside. The girls do a great job on him every time, although they say he is a right little baby when he’s in there, whining throughout his bath and blow dry. Normally we have to lift him into the back of the car but when he emerges all puffed up, he manages to jump in first time on his own. I’m not really sure which he detests most, a visit to the groomers or a visit to the vets!
Heading back on the last leg, we passed through the Millenium Plantation, a mix of trees including some lovely copper beeches and over the railway once more. With the church back in sight the thoughts soon turned to breakfast in the old school cafe. Thankfully the largest table was empty as we arrived so after a bit of debate about the contents of the breakfast rolls, the order was placed and we sat in the morning sunshine to await today’s much served sustenance.
3.3 miles completed in just over 90 minutes, and a good breakfast, it must have been a good walk and company as Deryck is keen to join us again next week. The happy band of 7 from the last year is now a band of 8! Who’s next?
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