Saturday 12th October ‘24. DH, RW, AC, PCL, DL, Scrumpy & Albus
Not only have the Aurora Borealis been visible this week but It’s also been carnival weekend around these parts and afters Friday night’s illuminated procession through Wincanton, (one of the best for a few years according to those who watched it) , we knew we were in for an enlightening walk today as for the first time in a few months Adrian was joining us again. He had specifically asked for a walk along tracks for his return to the fold so the RV this week was King Alfred’s tower for a steady obstacle free walk around the Stourhead estate. It was only the five of us this week so just a car each from Bruton & Wincanton, and both of us were early at the car park for a change. There was certainly no discussion about the need to wear coats or not this week as it was a grey morning already and with a 50% chance of rain heading our way.
Being one of the biggest wooded area local to all of us if was virtually impossible to find a new route today, so we headed off across the road and along the top track hoping that the autumnal colours in the tree would provide us all with a different viewpoint today. However no sooner had we set off than the 50% chance of rain changed to 100% definite, as the heavens opened on us.
The rain was heavy and we were all quickly soaked as we pushed along the track which unfortunately at this point was not providing us much over head cover of any note. At the end of the ridgeline we took the narrow track leading steeply downhill and round a couple of bends before coming out on the main track which starts at the hairpin bend at the bottom of Pen Hill. The rain was starting to ease although the view through to the mist hugging the trees on the far side of the meadow seemed to indicate otherwise. Adrian felt the urge to add to the ground water levels and although usually he is a bit more discreet about it, today he took the opportunity to do so whilst the rest of us were enjoying the scenery.
Once Adrian was all tucked in again, we carried on along the bottom track, pausing every so often for Dereyk to try some more landscape photography across the meadow. He did also try to sneak in some pet portraits now and then, but was reminded that he has not yet qualified in that field of photography yet. Albus was not too impressed either and made it all the more difficult for Dereyk until he finally relented and stuck a pose by the roots of a large tree.
Despite the occasional stops we were moving along at a good pace and so as we approached a track junction, I checked that Adrian was still doing OK and once confirmed I decided to extend the loop a bit by turning right and heading downhill in the general direction of Stourhead gardens and lake. At the end of the wood line we encountered our only locked gate of the day and with the choices for Adrian being either crawling through the dog flap to the side, or climbing over the relatively low stile, he opted for the latter and just about completed it with minimal assistance. Once all over we grouped for this weeks photo which was then followed by the confectionery handouts. Yet again some special treatment for Richard with his own packet of Haribo, and being his first time for a while Adrian accepted the largest sugar lolly, which once into it, was going to keep him quite for a good while. We followed along the wire fence which was full of strands of sheep’s wool where they had rubbed against it, and had a few small mushrooms growing in amongst the grass as we ducked under and around a few senior trees as we made it through an otherwise open field. The mist was still hanging in the trees in the distance but the rain had now totally stopped and as it was getting slowly warmer we were all starting to dry out again.
As we approached a gateway out of the field, I took a casual glance across to a large oak tree and spotted a whole ring of large mushrooms surrounding the tree which certainly merited some further investigation. So all of us, except Adrian headed across with cameras out to look at and take photos of the fully grown mushrooms. It was very impressive to see so many undisturbed very large mushrooms around a good portion of the circle.if only our fungi correspondent had being there to identify them for is! After a good few minutes we headed back to the gate where Adrian was doing his very best ‘catalogue’ pose whilst he held it open for us - Man at C&A is still alive! Using Google image search indicate they may be members of the Parasol family
As we reached the lowest geographical point of todays walk, we also came across more fungi in full bloom. But theses were the complete opposite of those we had just seen. On top of about three old mossy topped wooden fence post a couple of tiny but exquisite little glossy brown mushrooms stood about an inch tall. A chance for some macro photography maybe? Google image search suggest these to be Clustered bonnets or Mycena inclinata, but I may be totally wrong on both counts.
It was now time to turn back for the car park and to what we all knew would be a slow and steady climb. At the first gatepost we came across a waymarker for the Trust10, Clearly this is not something any of the ‘Walking Dead’ would put themselves through these days but for any more spritely readers the details are below.
Stourhead’s Trust10 10k trail run is a challenging, multi-terrain run involving some public roads. Beginning and ending at Stourhead house, the trail takes in pasture, woodland and an Iron age hillfort with King Alfred’s Tower marking the mid-way point. Trust10 is all about enjoying the experience of running in beautiful landscapes, surrounded by nature. Whether you’re training for a challenge or looking for a sociable jog in the fresh air, join us at Stourhead on the fourth Sunday of every month for an 8.30am registration and a 9am start.
We did pass a couple of runners heading back down to the finish as we slowly ambled through the woods beneath Park Hill fort and camp. There then came a very enlightening moment for Richard as he discussed what to hang on his door for the non existent Halloween trick or treaters on his road. It was suggested that maybe he would possibly have more knocks at the door if he were to hang an upside down pineapple in the Portch. Claiming to know nothing about any such idea, Phil kindly provided a very controlled explanation, but for those still in the dark, just Google it, but remember to clear your browser history afterwards! Dereyk was also confused at this point, (but unrelated to any pineapples), as he was convinced he was in a totally ‘new to him’ area of the estate, but upon seeing the final hill realised just where he was again.
Once onto the top track there was plenty of blue sky as we headed across towards Alfred’s Tower and the cars. We had completed 3.4 miles in just under 2 hours allowing just enough time to change out of our boots and head on down the hill, past the newly refurbished Bull at Hardway pub. Although now it’s an Osip establishment calling it just a pub is probably well below the standard they hope it will be become reestablished as.
We arrived at Kimbers a fraction after 11.00 and whilst four of us sat down to order our breakfast, Dereyk had to dip out this week for a family lunch so called on his good lady to pick him up. Despite Richard announcing that he didn’t want a fried breakfast every week, there were three small breakfast ordered whilst I went a bit rogue by ordering the eggs in tomato dish of Shakshouka. All in all another good morning out and despite the wet start it all turned out well in the end.
Todays route can be found on the Cyclemeter here
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