Saturday 24th June ‘23. DH, RW, PCL, BFS, DL, PC, Sully & Scrumpy
It was the second of the 'hosted breakfast' weekends after a very successful first one last week courtesy of Phil & Claire, so we met in Greenway at the earlier time of 0830 to try and avoid the hotter temperatures later in the morning. Sully was delighted to have everyone meeting at his and made a right fuss as usual. Although the forecast was not for full sun until the afternoon, shorts and panama hats were the order of the day as the 5 of us set of down Common Road and over the already busy A303, no doubt much of the traffic made up of stragglers making their way into Glastonbury for the weekend. The sky was still quite grey and feeling cooler than previous days as we made our way along Snag Lane and out into the open fields. Around 10 minutes into our walk, my phone buzzed in my pocket, and expecting it to be a call from my good lady who was very kindly providing our breakfast this week, it turned out to be from Pete enquiring if we had left already and where we were heading. As we all believed he was still on holiday and not joining us this week, he was keen for us to wait for him, so reaching the end of the lane we took an early pause as he made his way along the lane to join us, also decked out in his best summer hat.
The enforced breather enabled Brian and myself to relate about the last time we were in this location after our latest walk at Pen Selwood. Just as we were finishing breakfast that day Brian received a call from his good lady seeking advice on how to deal with an elderly gentleman she had come across whilst walking her dogs in a nearby field, who was incapable of getting back over the stile to return home. With no solution offered over the phone, we left the Hunters and headed straight down to Snag Lane, where we cut through the copse by the side of the lane and found Kath and the old feller by the troublesome style. With help from Brian and a bit of leg lifting from myself we managed to get the chap back over the stile and to my car where I gave him a lift back to his home on the Southgate estate. just goes to prove that all the practise we have had getting Adrian over awkward stiles and gates has not been wasted on us!
So with Pete now in the group we headed through the copse and over the "old chap" stile and started the climb through the fields towards the ridgeline. Stopping briefly, purely to admire the views back to Wincanton, we again acknowledged how luck we are to be amongst such wonderful scenery. As we approached the ridge the view down the vale opened up and provided a good 180 degree view around this patch of Dorset and Somerset.
We paused on top of the hill to get our breath, take the selfie and discuss the large blue pole sticking out of the ground ,( without any firm success as to its purpose), before heading along the ridge towards Stoke Trister church and past the communications tower with its air conditioning running full pelt as the temperature had steadily risen in the last 15 minutes.
As we stood to admire the view northwards towards Glastonbury Tor, Sully decided that he would investigate the buildings of Church Farm and no amount of calling would cause him to deviate from his mission. so whilst the group took the footpath out onto the road, Pete and myself gave chase, albeit slowly after Sully. When we did get to him, we looked for a route out onto the road but to avoid walking in front of the farmhouse we dragged the poor dog back along the track to join the right of way and out onto the road. A short but steady climb and we caught up with the waiting group, stood under the shade of trees, right next to a ne exit from the farmyard that had recently been created in the wall. annoyingly only about 30 meters from where we had caught up with Sully about 10 minutes previously. Sully immediatly flopped to the floor and i got out his bottle of water to give him a drink. I suppose at this point i really should have considered his age and the rise in temperature a bit closer, but he soon perked up ready for the next stretch.
It was at this point, that I messaged back to Denise that we had reached the half way point, in the region of 30 minutes later that I had thought we would, and she replied that she had started cooking the breakfast already so would slow it down a bit. The sky had now cleared and the sun was climbing in the sky as we set off again for the return loop around the far side of the hill.
Dropping down behind a very substantial property and away from the noise of the A303, the picturesque views across the village of Stoke Trister showed why its a popular location with reality shows like Escape to the Country. Bashing through a large patch of stinging nettles, it would good to see that the pathway though the next field, which had been left to grow wild, had been cut and there was shout of delight as we spotted our first deer for quite a few months making its way along the path. Sully was certainly in no mood to give chase as he slowly made his way along the path. We paused again at the next gate, and once everyone was through it was clear that Sully was in no fit state to continue. He had laid down in the shade and was panting with tongue outstretched like there was no tomorrow. I offered him water which he lapped up, but at that point decided he was not going to be able to make it all the way home without assistance. I arranged with Brian that I would meet him in his car at the top of Physicwell hill if I took it slowly, so for the first time ever i had to relinquish control and let the group continue without me, knowing that breakfast would be ready for them all as soon as they made it back to Wincanton.
Once the group had left, I looked again at the distance to the road if I carried on, and decided that retracing my steps back towards Stoke Trister was a far better option, so slowly I persuaded Sully to get to his feet and start the path back where we had just come. Every 50 metres or so, or whenever there was a patch of shade, he would flop down for a rest and another drink of the water i was carrying for him. I also took the decision that he needed to be picked up sooner rather than later so made an SOS call to my daughter who recognised the need for help and set off from home to meet us on the road. After a few more stops, and resorting to giving Sully my own orange juice to keep him going, we sat by the side of the road waiting for rescue. Thankfully within a couple of minutes a car crested the hill, and once Sully had drank a good bowl full of water, we loaded him in the car to get him home. I think he was as pleased to see the help arrive as I was.
The remaining walkers continued on the planned route and were not that far behind us in getting seated ready for breakfast. The walk was around 4 miles today, the blue of the map below is mine and Sully’s walk, the pink the route taken last time and similar to todays. Sully had been wet down thoroughly and was now laid out under a bush keeping cool, and in total solidarity with him it was pints of squash all round instead of the usual tales and coffees for everyone as they sought shade either under the parasol or a the end of the garden under the ash tree. Suitably rehydrated, a good selection of bacon and sausages were brought to the table and a pan full of freshly cooked fresh bantam eggs were great fully received by all. A massive thank you to Denise for providing the second of our ‘at home’ breakfasts. Who’s next?
PS. Thankfully Sully has recovered OK from his ordeal but won’t be joining us on hot or long walks any more afraid. I’m sure Scrumpy will miss her running partner!
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