Saturday 25th February 2023. DH, RW, TO, AC, BFS, PC, DL, JB, Sully, Scrumpy & Albus
A surprisingly cool morning greeted eight of the nine regulars this week as we met outside of the Kings Arms at Charlton Horethorne, a village we have all driven through countless times, but seldom if ever stopped in to walk around the area. As it was only a short distance from homes we were all booted and hatted up and ready to start walking just before 0900. We crossed the road and headed out southward to the grade II listed 12th century village church of St Peter & St Paul. Passing through the lynch gate we were treated to an impressive churchyard of snowdrops and a blue and yellow flag of Ukrainian flying atop the tower, which of course unseen to use houses a peal of eight bells, the oldest of which were cast around 1350.
As we exited the churchyard, in our haste to get onto the countryside we took a track which unfortunately led to a field full of horses, but after a friendly word from a farmhand dealing with two unfortunate dead cows, we headed back and around the rear of the farm buildings. Being the home of the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale hunt, the howl of caged dogs grew louder as we made our way past the kennels. The path was unfortunately not way marked but after passing through a couple of gates we crossed over a the small bridge over the stream where three different rights of way were signed. We opted for the right hand pathway which turned right and took us into the middle of a very widespread equestrian cross country course, with fences and jumps stretching as far as the eye could see. Having kept the dogs on the lead whist we passed through the farm and kennels, and being aware of sheep in other fields, the all clear was given to let them off for the first time today. Sully immediately shot off ahead but Albus was certainly more interested in Scrumpy than he was the other week, probably due to the fact that she is close to starting another season. We exited the fields, and upped the pace as we headed along a twisting minor road towards the village of Stowell. There was amply time on this leg to hear about Trevor’s recent trip to Thailand (details not for publishing) and Dereyk trip back home for the annual Royal Shrovetide Football game.
The road got dirtier than the fields had been as we got closer to the edge of the village and passed by some rather dilapidated buildings, including a strangely named Dragon Manor farm. The road through the village then goes around three sides of a rectangle so we took the fourth side up a narrow track which soon turned into a damp single width path uphill and the obvious route for water to flow back down the hill. The stoney path was almost like walking up a river bed in parts but once past the flowing water, it soon turned into a pleasant track through mature trees and hedgerow. Brian led the way again up the hill, accompanied by Sully and Scrumpy as arduous Albus was kept on the lead and helped pull Dereyk to the top. Once out in the open the view to our right opened up to reveal the village church of Stowell in the foreground and the hills further southwards towards Milborne Port and the hills behind Sherborne castle, an obvious location for this weeks issue of confectionary.
Suitable rested, a flight of wooden steps provided an easier climb up the bank and along the top
of the small private wood. Following the edge of the field around and through another gate one or two of the substantial residential properties on the site of the old Plessey works at Wilkinthroop could be seen through the trees.
As we gathered for this weeks group photograph, a large unusual but derelict looking Dutch Barn in an adjoining field provided a great photo opportunity, I wonder how many years that has been stood on top of the hill providing shelter for animals as it slowly weathered and faded in the face of the prevailing south westerly winds?
Continuing along the ridgeline we came out onto a track where the familiar signs of the Monarchs way were attached to the fence posts. Although we chose not to walk along any of it today, it’s surprising how frequently out path crosses the route of the 625 mile long pathway. Our selected route back towards Charlton Horethorn was down Hanglands Lane, which started as a clean wide track but as we dropped lower the track narrowed and became a lot muddier. Sully was quite happy to go straight through it and get his freshly groomed coat plaster in dirt, but we opted for a minor pathway along the edges of the track which took us through an obstacle course of fallen branches and brambles. It was a slow and steady descent briefly interrupted by the meeting of a local dog walker who was quickly recognised as the father of Lizzie Jeanes, a lovely local lass who most of us have fond memories of. With the church tower getting closer we turned right along a farm access track for the last half mile, rather than head back through the fields we came out through. Unfortunately this track was also pretty muddy and slippery in places so by the time we reached the end of it, I was exceptionally grateful to see a large pool in a stream in which Sully was able to take a quick dip in to rinse off his coat. Once cleaned it was just a short walk back into the village centre, where a memorial bench and a relief model of the village stood on the green. A most enjoyable 3.6 mile walk completed in just under two hours in an area ’just on the doorstep’.
A quick change of footwear and a short ten minute drive into Wincanton for breakfast at the Cale Park cafe. A new location for a couple of the lads, we took our places at our reserved table and placed our orders. Despite it being a busy morning, it was not long before coffees and teas came out and a few minutes later a very well coordinated delivery of large breakfasts, advocado, scrambled eggs and sausage sandwiches. A welcome end to a very pleasant morning. Now time to get a bit of rest before the big game of the afternoon. C’mon England!
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