Saturday 3rd December 2022. Holton to Maperton
DH, DH, RW, SW, TO, AC, RC, PCL, CC, BS, KS, PC, MC, Sully, Scrumpy, Tilly & Poppy
T’was a cold December morning as a convoy of cars parked up outside the sadly closed Old Inn at Holton for this years Christmas walk, joined again by our long suffering good ladies. Initially it was thought that today would be the first time in over 2 years when all of the group would be walking together, but having spent most of Friday afternoon bent forward talking to little children at a school fete as one of Santas stand ins, unfortunately Dereyk‘s bad back excluded him and Maureen from joining us at this stage.
As we headed of down the road, long standing walking friends Kath & Denise shot off in front and despite Sully attempting to head down the path he’d been on before, he was persuaded the route would not be into someone’s back yard so headed on down the road, with everyone else following like sheep. Thankfully once the observant shepherd had called out to ‘the flock‘ that they had missed the first turning, a swift u-turn, even faster than Liz Truss managed, and we were all safely heading out of the village on the correct path. After a short discussion about the memorials in the wall and the medlar tree, with its strange colloquial names, we headed out into fields that some of us walked back in the early stages of this years hot summer. Once through the first gate and into the field, all four dogs were let off their leads and ran on ahead enjoying their morning freedom, with less cattle in fields to restrain them as much as last time.
This route between villages across to Maperton is almost a straight line and I guess has been walked along for many hundreds of year, as such some of the crossing points were of a newer design whist some still had the field barriers that were no doubt erected many years ago. The first such barrier was a large stone which was stood upright between two large pillars that looked like they had been rebuilt in more recent times. The old stone was certainly showing signs of much use with bits chipped away on the top edge, but nevertheless is was still a formidable barrier between fields that had to be crossed.
For the more nimble amongst us, which predominately today was the ladies, it was not such a challenge but for those of us less flexible, getting our leg over is something we don’t do too well, or often these days! Casanova Cook was at this point in his element with a couple of ladies around him, who on seeing the obstacle very kindly offered their assistance to him. Richard on seeing this, let out a comment which according to him was in similar old English language to a popular Christmas carol along the lines of ‘Oh, ladies to the rescue’ but was certainly heard by many, if not all around them as ‘old ladies to the rescue’. This caused some immediate consternation amongst the ‘young‘ ladies, and had it not been for some hasty and smooth talking, a mutiny in the flock may well have ensued. Thankfully with a lot of laughter and certainly some ribbing which Richard will never be allowed to forget, we all made it across in one piece.
The cold wind continued to blow into our faces as we pushed on and although the group got well spread out across the strange yellow stripped large field, a few more slippery and awkward crossings soon allowed the concertina to reassemble as we made it through a field of very unhappy and aggressive looking sheep and out onto the road into Maperton. It was along this road that a couple of ladies actually admitted, that despite being only a few miles from home and with the distant hum of the A303 still to be heard, that they had no idea where they were, Welcome to our group!, where many weekends we find new paths and hidden gems around the fields and villages of our local area. One such gem appeared as we entered the village, (and I really must go back for a closer look sometime), in the small church hidden down the lane by the side of the Manor House.
A short stretch along the road around to the west of the village and we made the turn back into fields to start our return leg. In the shelter of the hills and out of the wind it was an ideal opportunity to break out the sweeties, and we were certainly spoilt this week. Claire was first out with her bag of fruit pastilles but not to be outdone, Adrian revealed his large bag of sugary Haribo selection pack. It was also a great opportunity to grab a selfie and if we thought the normal Saturday six or seven were hard enough to get organised, a bakers dozen of folks all munching away on their sticky sweets was a challenge I wouldn’t like to have to repeat each week.
Once a successful image was captured it was time to start the steady climb up the hill, where the wide open fields gave the dogs ample space to run around together. As we approached the top road, Sully decided he was waiting for no one and dipped under the gate despite frequent shouts from his owners. Thankfully it’s a quiet road and he was soon grabbed by those next to reach the gateway, not that I think he would have gone too far on his own.
A steady drop downhill with the great view across the top of the Blackmore Vale to Cucklington ridge opening up in front of us, we headed back on a track into fields again. Last time we came this way the field was being cut and a large cloud of dust was being created, but this time right down the bottom of the field were a herd of mainly light coloured cattle, minding their own business on a cold Saturday morning. However the sight of 13 walkers and 4 dogs soon drew their attention and they decided closer investigations were in order, making their way at alarming speed towards us. I don’t know if they had their sights set on the dogs or us, but we didn’t want to hang around too long to find out. Brian, probably one of the biggest amongst us and with all his agriculture knowledge and upbringing decided he needed to protect the dogs in preference to his fellow walkers, and was soon at the front of the group heading away from the cattle as quick as he could, leaving others to stare the cattle in the eye. Thankfully the cattle decided enough was enough and allowed us all to leave them quietly to pursue their normal activities. Maybe it was Trevor’s most menacing stare that did it?
As we made our way back over the stone stile again, without any more comments, but with plenty of ribbing about those made on the way out, thoughts turned to our forthcoming Christmas lunch in a couple of hours time. As we approached Holton, it was quickly apparent that whilst we were all thinking of turkey, Brian’s two spaniels had different thoughts and had their eyes firmly on the fresh chickens in their netted enclosure, and were quite determined to get in amongst them. Thankfully for the chickens, their owners and Brian & Kath’s sake, they were swiftly grabbed before they got too close to do any damage, and once firmly re-secured on their leads, we all made it back to the cars without any further incidents. Just short of 3 miles walked in 1hr 45 mins and just enough time to get back home to wash the dog in our case, and then get scrubbed up ourselves ready for a 1.00 lunch at the Red Lion, Brewham.
We reconvened in the bar of the Red Lion having traded in Trevor for Dereyk and Maureen (not a bad swap I hear you say) and having ordered our drinks were called through to take at seats at spot on 1.00. The table in the dining room was laid out ready and the view out of the window across towards Alfred’s Tower was stunning, with lots of the trees in the hedgerows and the wooded area on the skyline turning many autumnal shades of red and orange.
We took our seats and before long our starters were served, a touch of nostalgia for those with the prawn cocktails or garlic mushrooms. With crackers pulled and hats adorned atop of heads, our preselected Christmas dinners, roast salmon and even a venison casserole were on the table, and with roast potatoes and plenty of fresh vegetables to go around, suddenly it all went quite as everyone got stuck into their plateful.
Desserts were mostly served with a choice of cream or ice cream, but Adrian did his usual trick of ordering less, then ‘sharing’ others with a dollop of ice cream and a half jug of cream kindly donated by those further up the table. A great cup of coffee and chocolate finished off a cracking lunch enjoyed by a great bunch of friends and wives. Many thanks to our ladies for joining us today and to Pete for organising the meal and of course a big thank you to all of you for turning out almost every Saturday again this year. The banter and laughter has certainly kept me going again through another challenging year. Although this is not the last walk or week of the year I’d like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and look forward to many more walks, breakfasts and get togethers next year. Take care, enjoy life’s precious moments and good health to all of you!
