Steady start to 2026

Saturday 3rd January. DH, DL, JB, CH & Albus

For the first walk of the year I decided that we would take a later start and stay local as no doubt we have all eaten too much over Christmas and if like me, been a bit sedate on the sofa for the last couple of weeks. Added to that, my feet have been a bit tender so a walk around the roads in trainers was certainly going to be a better option that putting on boots and walking over uneven ground. The day started with a heavy frost band clear skies and although the roads were still frosty as the four of us arrived at North Cadbury, the sun was already climbing in the east.

We set off north past the village hall and many of the lovely character properties then straight down to the end of the No through road. Pausing to check the map first, once happy we then took a small path alongside a pair of wood clad semis and down to a small stream which was no doubt part of the bad flooding which hit this village a couple of years ago. There was a wooden boardwalk type structure above the stream with a gate to access it, be we pushed straight on to the rear of the primary school and then out by the refurbished Chapel House and left to the main road which runs north-south through the village.

Where the main road turned to the left we followed the minor road towards Galhampton and through an area known as Brookhampton. We passed Hollytree farmhouse, a large and grand stone house and in the distance across an open and frost covered field we could see the equally impressive Brookhampton House. We have walked around this area a few times now and it never ceases to amaze me just how many footpaths there are. Not only are they and the stiles and gates well maintained, but the small bright numbered markers on them all make them so easy see and to follow.

We continued heading east and past a well fenced off enclosure behind which someone was having an early new year bonfire. Albus was quiet happy walking on the lead and posing for his weekly photo for the family (not easy when you leave your phone in the car Deryck!), although his tail soon went between his legs at the sound of gunfire close by. We couldn’t see what it was but it continued for a few minutes, during which time Albus was clearly not a ‘happy chappy ‘! We turned right by the side of one of the smallest cottages I have seen in a long time and onto an even quieter lane. Albus was allowed off the lead and he certainly picked up quickly once the gunfire paused, and it hadn’t appeared to have troubled a deer we spotted in the field who was up and running once it sensed our presence. The lane, appropriately called Corkscrew Lane, turned left and right multiple times, putting us in the shade sometimes and then out into the warming sun at the next turn.

We arrived in the hamlet of Woolston and turned to the west heading back towards North Cadbury. As we were making good time, we took the left fork and down the lane which we all remembered as being the way into the Cadbury self pick strawberry farm of years gone by. As we reached the end of the track we took a right turn onto a gravel track running around a large field. With North Cadbury Court and the parish church on the background, we paused for this weeks group photo. Normally this would be the ideal opportunity for a bit of sugary refreshment, but unfortunately, and it must be said it doesn’t happen often, Deryck had left his bag of goodies at home. This did not go down well, although it was best mate John, who normally forgoes a lolly, that gave Deryck the most grief. Thankfully we were in a nice sun drenched open field and not too far from the cars, so we pushed on knowing that breakfast was only a few minutes away. As we approached the village shop I explained about the village map on display, with all the footpaths clearly labelled, although when we reached it, it was still covered in a layer of icy cold frost and unreadable.

We completed todays early January walk in seventy five minutes having completed just over three miles. A short five minute drive back through the village and we arrived at Mabel’s cafe on the Galhampton Country Store site, and seated ourselves at a table by the window. The waitress was soon taking our orders and delivering drinks, although with the kitchen being in the very same room as the tables, the air was thick with cooking fat smoke and it was particularly irritating on the eyes. Our food was soon delivered and apart from some odd tasting sausages (even Albus didn’t eat his this week), we all enjoyed the meal. However when I returned home, all my cloths stank of the fat and went straight into the wash, whilst I hung my coat on the line to air. Not the best way to remember our visit.

Cyclemeter