Relaxation to Covid lockdown rules made a sizeable dent in the number of walkers this week as some decided a week in Cornwall or Shropshire was more appealing than the beautiful Somerset countryside whilst others had prior commitments. So it was left to Bill & Sully to organise this weeks walk and make sure their owners were at the Bruton Dovecot at 9.00. A clearing sky and warming temperatures had convinced Trevor that shorts were the order of the day, not sure that was a totally wise decision as the first field had knee high grass soaked by the overnight rains. Leaving Godminster Lane in a southerly direction we were soon into large open fields slowly climbing towards Redlynch. A short section of the right of way saw us walking next to a stream in full flow, which Sully thought was heaven, as the last time we had passed the same way only a couple of weeks before it was only a series of isolated pools.
We continued to gain altitude and on taking a strategic stop to enjoy the view and of course catch our breaths the panorama from Creech hill stretched right round to Glastonbury Tor and beyond as the sun finally made an appearance. Crossing a recently ploughed field with new grass starting to shoot, Sully decided that his weekly roll this time should include a mud face pack. What a sight. His situation was not helped when we shortly afterwards came to a style where the surrounding sheep fence was intact and the only option was to lift a reluctant, wet and dirty retriever over the style.
On reaching the road by Redlynch Agriculture we turned left and after posing by the large boar we passed the rear of Redlynch Park before arriving at the 18th Century grade 2 listed church of St Peter, Redlynch. The Anglican church (although it look more like a Methodist chapel) was built in about 1750 by Stephen Fox-Strangways, 1st Earl of Ilchester on his estate of Redlynch. Built to the designs of Nathanial Ireson of Wincanton who was also the master-builder of his new mansion house known as Redlynch Park. It replaced the medieval parish church which stood on the same spot.
Turning of the road and back into fields we crested the ridge and then it was all downhill back to Bruton. Sully had a rapid increase in heart rate as we passed within a couple of metres of a hare, who broke cover and took off up the hill. Sully, after a slow start decided it was worth a chase but soon realised he was never going to catch it and gave up soon afterwards. Exiting the fields opposite H&W a short walk back along Park Wall completed the 3 mile walk.
It was then back into the cars and a 5 min drive to Kimbers Farm shop for a cracking breakfast. You don’t know what you missed lads!
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