27th November 2021
RW , TO , BS , DL , Scrumpy and Bill
Four intrepid walkers plus dogs were undeterred by the coat-tails of Storm Arwen as we assembled at the car park of the church at Yarlington, conveniently placed for The Stags Head Inn. There was a scattering of debris on the lanes but nothing big enough to block our way and the snow had stayed further north. As Trevor was fully togged out in plus twos, calf-length wool socks, wind-proof jacket and burglars’ bonnet we had no alternative but to set out into the brisk wind and style it out as the saying now goes. On a previous recce we had found the footpath lay through a recently ploughed and seeded field so we made a detour along West Street in the general direction of North Cadbury before cutting across to our right to join Stokes Lane. We were very close at this point to the site of Yarlington Mill Farm where the cider apple variety which produces a most delicious drink was originally identified.
We crossed the river Cam for the first time and turned left into a field and onto the Leland Trail. The going was good to soft and we made good speed (no doubt accelerated by the prospect of getting somewhere warm asap) along the edge of a field which had produced a crop of mangelwurzels which Brian advised us are an excellent supplement for sheep. Leland was apparently an antiquarian in the sixteenth century who travelled through our region and probably reported back to London on the riches which could be taxed or grabbed by the King. There is also some overlap with the Macmillan Way. Passing a beautiful property called Hewletts Mill on the Cam again we joined Sandbrook Lane for a period until we reached a sharp right turn onto a broad bridleway which is where we joined the Monarch’s Way.
The Monarch’s Way is based on the meandering escape route of King Charles the second following his defeat at Worcester and takes in Bristol and Yeovil before crossing to Shoreham where he took a ship to France.
This section of the walk was a steady climb uphill and we were facing into the teeth of the prevailing winds and there was sleet smarting our cheeks. Anyone mad enough to be out sailing in these conditions would either have set a speed record or capsized at this point. Spirits were raised by Deryck providing sugar-boosting lollies as we paused to take stock. We were facing in the general direction of Galhampton and the A359 although the landscape is completely rural and there was no traffic noise to locate the A303 either. We had reached our high point, having passed an assembly of cattle troughs and now began a gentle descent passed Sandbrook Farm. Here an orchard of apple trees is fiercely defended against either deer or scrumping boys by shoulder high electric fencing.
Is it ok for Trevor to draw my attention to the number plate of a post van featuring the letters OAP, suggesting it could be mine? Consider.
The Monarch’s Way took us towards Yarlington but we made a sharp left into Hick’s Lane which is a classic sunken track with native trees on either side and a golden harvest of leaves underfoot. We came out onto an open track beside a field and across the valley we could see Cadbury Castle and Pete’s Pony Express (see previous blog entries). I believe the pathway at this point was combining the Monarch’s Way , Macmillan Way and Leland Trail…so whose footsteps would you rather follow: a womanising monarch , a spying accountant or Old Sexeian Douglas Macmillan who founded the Society for the Prevention and Relief of Cancer in 1912. No contest.
We eventually turned off to follow a footpath gently downhill past Manor Farm into Yarlington and the cars.
For breakfast we returned to The George Inn , Castle Cary where a restorative platter awaited including some tasty bacon , sausage and black pudding. Score of 8 for the breakfast. We had proved yet again that no weather conditions can prevent this group from walking or eating!
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