December 17th Cary to Hadspen and back via frosty orchards
RW, TO, DH, PC and Sully , Scrumpy and guest appearance from Buster
The frost lay heavy on the ground all around us as we aimed to assemble at the sports centre in Ansford – just four humans undeterred by the sub-zero temperatures. Phil had the satisfaction of beating on Trevor’s door as we had made exceptionally good time and he duly appeared, peering out like a suspicious old crone on Halloween Night fearful of tricksy louts. The start to the walk confused Richard’s plan of setting out along Solomon’s Lane as we were walking Magg’s Lane…however this was eventually rectified. We were thwarted several times by newly installed fences overwired with barbed wire….but it is clear that the locals will not tolerate these barriers but rip them away or push through nearby. Our own local man, chairman of the planning committee, insisted on the Englishman’s right to ignore landowners and ramble where he wishes.
Heading along a fiercely fenced off track by an open field, discussions surrounded the resemblance between various walkers and the Cockleshell Heroes from the Second World War – is it enough to wear a similar Cap Comforter or Commando Hat? Surely not. Here we encountered Ant Hodges, a Hadspen resident who has recently moved onto the Wyke Road (and coincidentally Governor of Sexeys). We exchanged some cheerful chatter and his dog Buster made the acquaintance of Scrumpy and Sully before we rolled on to where the path met Solomon’s Lane and we were for the first time on the planned route.
We completed the section of Solomons Lane leading to Wyke Road and crossed over to follow the footpath down into Knapp Hollow. This section is seriously fenced off from the three horses kept here and I did not realise the tapes were in fact a live electric fence…until Scrumpy yelped in pain and ran off away from this nasty experience down the Hollow. I was trying to coax Scrumpy to rejoin us on the right side of the tape when I realized Buster had joined us. He was delighted to have reunited with his canine pals and was not remotely concerned as to the whereabouts of his owner. We did wonder if anything had befallen Ant, but I decided the best option was to call the number on Buster’s collar. The phone was answered by Jane Hodges who was pleased to know her dog was in safe custody and arranged to meet us at the junction with the road into Hadspen to collect the escapee. She too expressed no concern as to the fate of Ant.
We had been held up by this dog rescue act and there was an attempted mutiny at this point with suggestions of cutting back into Cary asap but I held firm and asserted my authority. Dave was in stitches as this is situation normal with him each week as all his advanced planning is challenged by whims and fanciful “quicker routes”. So we turned right back into Hadspen and then left up Nettlecombe which lies behind the Village Hall. Trevor expressed surprise at seeing this new building (15 years old) but Dave assured him we have walked sections of this route before. Up we went , a fairly steep ascent on an old turnpike road which has cobbled stretches where not clogged with muck and debris over the ages. Walking past the newish dairy unit which has blighted this hilltop, we then turned onto the Ridge Lane with fine views across the icy landscape to Alfred’s Tower.
Catching sight of Sunny Hill School on the slopes to our right, there was much speculation as to the future of the site. Grimly pessimistic as we usually are, it was agreed that the site would be split into areas of development land and even the central school buildings might be demolished. How sad. A metaphor for the passage of time and the general lack of investment into Education. Passing another barn conversion on the right did not lift our mood but we slipped down the slope into Cole then turned left towards Hadspen and through a gate into fields leading to the apple orchards belonging to Bottom Barn Farm. The skeletal shapes of these trees in Winter contrast with the lush blossom-loaded galleons of white and pink from our previous visits. There was a gentle climb back up to a ridge from which we can survey the whole Hadspen valley and look backwards to the Dove Cote above Bruton.
We also encountered the beautiful Devon Red cattle with their gentle temperament and soulful eyes. There had been more grumbling about climbing hills twice but this part of Somerset is all about a gently undulating landscape giving variety and wonderful natural scenery.
We rejoined the Wyke Road and bowing to pressure driven by belly rumbles, I resisted the intention to go right until turning into Maggs Lane; instead we retraced our steps along Solomons Lane and arrived via a short detour at the Sports Centre, having enjoyed the sight of feeding cattle including a lovely Highland breed.
We took Dave’s car closer into town and then returned once more to one of favourite breakfast venues: The George. Our timing was impeccable and despite the delays over the lost dog we had completed something like five miles in short order. Reassuringly, Ant had left a message on my mobile thanking us for our help so he was clearly ok and not trapped down the old silver mine….
Breakfast was delicious and included additional rounds of toast and marmalade. So concludes this ramble of four dog-loving, grey-haired breakfasteers who aspire to be cockleshell heroes but are more like Fred Karno's Army (ask your grandad who....).
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