Saturday 30th April’22. DH, AC, TO, BFS, PCL, DL, IP, Sully, Bill, Newton & Nimbus
A bight late April morning with clear blue skies greated the seven of us this week as wet met in the old village of East Pennard, which gets its name from the Celtic penn-ardd, meaning high hill.
Parking near Pennard House, our path took us alongside the 14th Century Grade 1 church of All Saints, which apparently has the second heaviest peel of five bells in the world. Passing by quaint cottages with the inevitable country gardens we were soon out into the local countryside, where the first field we entered had a magnificent specimen tree in the middle and the quintessential Somerset cows peaking over a stone wall to greet the early morning walkers. The early blue skies were cross crossed with con trails from Atlantic transiting aircraft, which throughout the morning never faded away at all, in fact became more obscured by more joining them and spreading out.
Our route took us round the edge of an orchard with the blossom just starting to emerge, before we came across the first of what would be many poorly maintained stiles again today. Maybe as we were closer to Glastonbury than many probably realise, they were managed, or actually not managed by the same organisation who caused us so much grief around the area on our Glastonbury Tor walk last summer.
It wasn’t just Adrian who struggled today as the usual gaps for our canine companions to pass through were almost non existent resulting in all dogs being assisted one way or another. Bill was being carried by Trevor and Iain was certainly greatful for Phil’s assistance in keeping hold of Newton, or was it Nimbus for much of the walk. It was certainly discussed that alongside the bags of sweets in the otherwise empty rucksacks that maybe we should conceal some secateurs to deal with the overgrowth in future.
Passing through a couple of fields with terrific views south as far a Cadbury Castle and the Corton Denham area, we eventually emerged from one such awkward crossing and thought we had arrived in hillbilly land. An open fronted shack with long veranda was just the spot for a rocking chair and a bit of guitar playing, however it turned out to be the production and tasting shed for the Avalon Organic wine produced in the local vineyard. If only it had been open!
Dropping into a field on the south side of the road we hurdled our way across a former maize field with the 6 inch high stalks creating a really awkward passage before yet another awkward crossing point into a lane. Maybe the footpaths around this area are not walked too frequently or those that do know which bits to avoid and when to take an alternative route. However with some grit and determination, and some unfriendly nettles stings and bramble scratches for the crazy short wearing duo, we ploughed on through. A chance for Sully, already plastered by rolling in the recently spread fields, to cool off in a filthy hollow in the middle of a field and with 1 hr 20 minutes on the clock we eventually made it out onto another road, where as we were now past the half way point, we were treated to not one, but two bags of sweeties today. Dereck had been resupplied following last weeks walk and Adrian had joined in by purchasing a bag of his own this week, what a coincidence they were both the same. Much enjoyed as ever.
Turning off the road onto a wide bridleway, we were exceptionally greatful for the very dry April we had just had, as I’m sure the track would have been a lot muddier otherwise. Emerging into the hamlet of Hambridge a short stretch along the road to then turn up another wide track, was the plan. However on reaching it, it was plain to see that the lane was totally overgrown and totally impassable, so our option option was enter a field of cows and walk parallel to the lane until we emerged through a gate back onto our planned route. Entering another field the public right of way went off at a 45 degree angle, although we skirted around the edge to avoid missing the crossing. After a quick hop over an electric fence (no volunteers to test it) our last stile of the day dropped us into a small picturesque ravine. The path was downhill whilst heading across the slope and when Dereyck caught hold of one of the labrador’s lead as they shot through the stile, he was almost dragged to the bottom by its eagerness to get down to the stream In the bottom.
A couple of wooden bridges crossed the stream before we climbed up back into East Pennard, entering alongside the cottage back gardens, and two and a quarter hours after we had departed we were back by the church haven’t completed just 3.6 miles. A difficult walk but most enjoyable to be back out in some warm sunny weather.
A short drive up the A37 to Jon Thorners cafe, and after a slight bit of confusion about numbers and bookings, we placed our orders and occupied two tables at the front of the cafe in the midday sun ready to tuck into our well deserved breakfast. A first visit for a couple of the group but after some active discussion about the service and quality of food, an average of about 7.5 was awarded. Unfortunately no group selfie today but otherwise another enjoyable morning out.
