Ofsted inspection

Sat 5 September DH, DL, CH, CLH, Tilly, Amy, Ralph & Albus

Whilst on a trip to Paignton Zoo I was literally shocked when talking to the kids about the Saturday walk, that they mentioned that their mother, my eldest daughter wanted to join us this week. I was of course somewhat surprised but delighted as she has waved all three of her children off with us many times over the last few years, but has never found an opportunity to walk with this illustrious group until this weekend. I had already decided on this weeks walk and breakast location and I knew it was not somewhere she had been before, so I was delighted to pass the message that ‘Yes’, of course she would be welcomed to join us.

With just three of us from Wincanton, we all met up at 0830 in the car park at the front of The Bell, Evercreech, somewhere we had not been to for over a year. The morning was bright but with a slight nip in the air as we set off for Stoney Stratton and the large hill which could be seen behind it as we crossed an open field heading east out of Evercreech. I had joked in the week that as this was a once in a lifetime opportunity, (mainly because she would be doing the weekly grocery shop in the afternoon, not morning for a change) that it felt like a start of Academic year Ofsted style inspection, to check we had all our safeguarding policies in place so we can continue with her children, mainly Ralph, joining us from time to time.

Of course, from the talk back home after each week, she already knows how much they have all enjoyed their walk with the ‘old men’, especially so Ralph’s many challenges with big John. So with the younger two running around the edge of next field, the elder ones, including Tilly cut the corner along the footpath and down a small path into Stoney Stoke, We turned up the main road, past what must have once been The Barley Mow pub, and the right until we reached the small triangle with a disused water point in the side of a wall by the bridge. We turned left and followed the small stream to a ford, where again the youngest one took a seperate route and opted to cross right through it, whilst the more mature ones used the narrow footbridge to one side. We continued alongside the small trickle of water flowing down a much larger channel, until we had to cross it again by a small flight of stepping stones. Further on again we crossed on a small stone bridge for the third and final time.

We continued the steady uphill through a couple of fields before walking alongside the stream once more as we made our way into the area surrounding Mill House Farm. On guard at the farm this week we’re two large geese, although they were enjoying a morning swim in the small pond this week, as opposed to defending it from the farmyard as in previous visits. Also on the waterweree a few ducks and by the side of the path a couple of chicken hits. Normally this would be a pleasant farmyard science, but for Tilly who is afraid of any feathered creature, it was her worst nightmare. And to compound it, I then suggested the pond and animals would make a good backdrop to this weeks ‘groupie’. One not too happy teenager, but she took it all in her stride!