Saturday 4th March ‘23 - East Lambrook -DH, RW, PCL, TO, PC, DL, JB, Sully & Scrumpy
It was nine months ago we last came this way (Short and snappy) but as we stood in the car park waiting for the late comers from Bruton, it felt like it was only a few weeks ago. Just as the seven of us were ready to head off, we had a slight delay whilst Trevor took a call from Castle Cary ‘Boot's the chemists’ regarding his missing medication, and although those who knew the reason already were laughing Trevor stayed remarkably calm as he spoke to the lady who had only some 24 hours earlier accused him of the misappropriation of his own medication, when in fact it was still on the shelf in the dispensary. Once the oversight had been acknowledged we were free to head out on todays anti clockwise loop which would take us across to East Lambrook and the northern edge of South Petherton.
Passing the substantially built Parrett Works, the site of a former snuff mill, we paused briefly to look at the old mill and for Richard to take more photographs of his latest interest and hobby - Royal Mail postage boxes. As he explained later in the walk, we come across so many different ones, in various shapes, sizes and locations, that it would be good to include them in the weekly write up. So I have created their own page and will happily build up the collection as we make our way around the local hamlets and villages. Post Boxes
Having crossed Careys Mill bridge we squeezed through a rather constrictive vertical stile, which looked more like 2 gravestones, into the field alongside the river to start our outward leg along this portion of the River Parrett trail. The water looked a very odd shade of grey today, almost as if it was severally polluted, as it made its way very slowly northwards towards Langport. The lead group had to be called back as they missed the waymarker taking the path away from the river side as we headed through a field of old turnips tops and down to the gateway in the corner of the field, which we had previously approached from the northern side. This week we turned left into new territory and alongside another small stream as we headed towards East Lambrook. Sully took the first opportunity to drop down the bank to the water and after a quick paddle tried to get back up the steep bank to rejoin us. Unfortunately the route he took was straight through the drain area of another small brook and with feet caked in mud he lost his footing and slipped back , ending up on his rear end in even more mud. After a quick foray up the stream to look for a better exit route, he turned back and tried again, this time making good his ground and with the outstretched arm of John ready to grab his collar, made it back onto the track OK.
On reaching and crossing over East Lambrook bridge, our route took us alongside some quant riverside cottages and back over the stream once again so that we were on the opposite bank to a large orchard area. On the far banks 2 ladies were walking their small dogs and Trevor did his best to engage in conversation with them about a stocky looking miniature French bulldog, which he thought looked like a ‘smashing little fella’. Having been corrected that she was in fact a female, the conservation ended abruptly and we continued on our separate ways. The next chap we met was slightly more chatty and had more in common with Trevor, in that he had been walking for a good 3 miles already in search of a pub. Having explained that we were not local and didn't know where the nearest one was, we wished him well with his searching. Post walk for future reference - the Rose and Crown in the village looks pretty good and starts serving lunch from 11.00 on a Saturday. Maybe he knew all along and was just seeing if we would bite!
Our pathway continued alongside the North Mill brook to our right, but the left side was now wire fenced and hedged as it protected some very impressive looking lakes and gardens. Peering through the gaps a swan was enjoying an early morning swim and the further we walked around the perimeter, the more of the substantial property came into view. As we reached the lane at the end of the pathway and the end of our time on the Parrett trail today, we paused by the grand gates and entrance way to Barcroft Hall, a multi million pound property and fruit farm estate. Although the hyper linked article above appears to be a few years old, the condition of the footpaths around the estate and the amount of people walking them this morning is evidence that work continues to improve this quiet area of South Somerset for the good of all who visit it.
We headed up the side of the estate on well surfaced tracks, with occasional views back down to the brook and stopped again after we crossed an awkward little stile, to partake of this weeks confectionery and also for the obligatory selfie under a large canopy of blackthorn blossom. With Ham Hill visible in the distance and with many other orchards dotted about, we made our way back across a selection of fields and tracks, turning at 90 degrees at each hedgerow as if tacking back into wind. As we calmly queued to cross a small style, Dereyk spotted a group of deer not far from us, which stood and starred for a short while before heading off, with four white bums bouncing along in the air. As we made out way further we saw them again in the distance as they crossed the same stream Sully went in but with far more success than he had. With the clock creeping past 10.30 it wasn’t much further now as we rejoined our original outbound route through the turnip field for the short return leg to Perrett Mills and our eagerly awaited breakfasts at The Ranch. A steady 3.4 miles completed in 1 hour 40 minutes.
A tight squeeze onto the table in the corner and pretty prompt service soon saw an array and variety of breakfasts like we have never seen before. The good old healthy Full breakfast all round option has now been replaced by some with delicate smashed avocado and creamy scrambled eggs, what is the world coming to! Even so, another good trip to The Ranch. We must look at coming back again when the orchards are in full blossom.
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