DH, TO, BFS, PCL,DL,Sully & Bill
Sunny days earlier in the week followed by a couple days of heavy rain and we were left with a mild overcast morning for today’s walk in a new area to us all, the Dorset (once Somerset) village of Sandford Orcas. Our starting and breakfast location was The Story Pig, a farming cafe with Tamworth pigs and other rare breeds trying to make a go of open air hospitality.
Tucked away down some very narrow lanes, the view as we arrived at the car park looking north across Somerset is amazing. Just visible were Glastonbury Tor and the Mendip transmitter mast in the far distance, with the patchwork of fields and hedgerows stretching out to Sparkford and beyond In the foreground. Cadbury Castle stood out majestically from the low ground clearly showing why it was so used as a defensive stronghold for the land around for many centuries.
Walking back to the top of the drive we crossed the road into a field, with a warning sign for an active badger sett ahead. In the corner of the field we entered a small unmanaged wooded area which was obviously the home of the nocturnal black and white animals. No sign of any activity today! We then headed down a well used and probably old farm track which looped us around the south side of Sandford Orcas. Hedgerows were full of cow parsley and the views up to the woody ridge of Patson and Benchy Hill to the south were delightful. At the end of the lane we turned onto Higher Sandford and as is usual in these types of villages, walked past admiring the very old thatched cottages as well as the more substantial properties one can only dream of living in. Heading down a driveway and behind someone’s garden shed we found the correct path to take us across the rear of some more lovely houses, before we crossed the road and started a contouring loop around a field of cows. I had mentioned whilst on the walk the old Manor House and the change of county boundary and before we knew it we had a terrific view of the back of Sandford Manor House and gardens. Pausing for a few moments to take the weekly selfie and to admire the Tudor house in all its glory, Trevor took the opportunity to Google the village and then proceeded to read out details of the house and village from an article from Dorset Life. Rather than repeat it on this page, why not read for yourself here.
Having being truly educated we continued on our way heading north east alongside a small wooden stream before finding a very thin bridge to cross the stream and come back down the other side. Sully of course crossed the stream by paddling in in first but Bill albeit very reluctantly took the safer option. Back on the road we passed the front of the Manor House with village church alongside and then made our way back through the village and a short walk back up to the Story Pig. Around 3.5 miles this week (forgot to start the tracking until we were half a mile into the walk).
The smell of barbecuing bacon and sausage greeted our return and as it had got a lot busier than when we first arrived we managed to occupy the last remaining table on the gravel with the marvellous views in front of us. The counter was in a large teepee and on entering we were greeted by a very unhappy owner who immediately had a poke at us (hence the blog title) about the mess apparently left behind by one of our dogs in the car park. Now no one could say for sure it hadn't been left by a certain little terrier, but if it was not a single one of us saw it happen and so we apologised profusely anyway. Unfortunately this little interchange obviously flustered the young girl serving us as the ordering system was not very well organised to say the least and she went into melt down. It may well have been her first day in the job, but not knowing the price of things, (especially when her mental arithmetic was obviously not a strong point) and keeping an eye on orders seemed very haphazard to say the least. The ticketing system for the hot food which I don’t think she really understood at all was certainly badly thought through. Maybe an area for some improvement if they want customers to have a good experience and return again.
Having said all that when the rolls did arrive the bacon and sausages were very tasty indeed although hot drinks in paper cups were a bit of a let down. A good morning out just slightly marred by the business skills at the end.
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