Saturday 26th November 2021
DH, RW, TO, PC, AC, PCL, Amy, Sully, Scumpy & Bill
A specifically requested route over to the west of our patch this week, as we met at Long Sutton church on a mild autumnal morning. Yet again, some inexplicable tardiness to the 0900 meeting time, and we were already 15 minutes late for this weeks anti-clockwise triangular (ish) route. Joining us this week was Amy, youngest granddaughter, so a simple level route was planned mainly walking alongside the river Yeo. During the wait we took a brief look at the War Memorial and were delighted to see that surrounding the base was a whole load of knitted poppies, no doubt created by local villagers. Amy, with much encouragement from Pete had made good use of the waiting by piling up a whole load of recently fallen yellow and brown leaves, then kicking her way through them all, before scooping a load in her hands and throwing them high into the air. I’m sure we all did the same when we were kids, great fun!
Once on our way the first mile was a steady walk through fields alongside one of the many drainage ditches, which unfortunately due to little flow, are generally covered in a blanket of duck weed. Sully, as expected, was soon investigating the water but thankfully did not go fully in. However, on reaching the last gate, Bill shocked us all, and probably himself when he launched himself off of the bank and straight into the ditch, followed by a short swim around before climbing out and carrying on as if nothing had happened.
On reaching the Yeo, we started the steady climb upstream. The river at this point is almost flat and moves along at a steady pace (similar to the walking group) as it slowly meanders towards joining the River Parrett just outside of Langport. Along the route we came across a dozen fisherman, either walking to their preferred spot or already set up on the river bank, with a bright orange float resting atop the still water. I’ve never been a fisherman and can’t see the thrill of sitting staring at the same patch of water all day hoping for a ‘bite’, and it looked like it would be a long day sat there today for them, as not a single one we spoke to had caught anything, yet!
It was along this stretch that Adrian, obviously concerned for his well-being, asked a very simple question to the group. ‘What would be the course of action should one of use need major assistance on any of our walks?’ I think he was hoping for a more compassionate exchange than the 5 minutes of banter that pursued. Our ’medic’, (the only healthy one amongst us) was quick to point out the Ts & Cs of group membership, whilst others pointed to the Risk Assesment, or the proximity of the river! By the end of the exchange I don’t know if Adrian had heard anything anywhere near what he was hoping to hear, but I’m sure could determine from it that he would be fine. (Note to medical correspondent - check medical declarations and NOK records are in date and that the group disclaimer is strong enough)!! What was the saying of the 3 musketeers?
On reaching the bridge at Long Load, the notional half way point and about 45 mins into the walk, we crossed the road and continued on the northern bank, all the while keeping an eye out for the church tower back at Long Sutton, to gauge how far we still had to go. After another 15 minutes and approaching the next footbridge, our route took a sharp left as we started the final leg to the finish. This track north should have been completed at our normal pace but heavy machinery had recently been up and down it and it more resembled a pathway on the Somme than one in gorgeous green Somerset countryside. The only firm ground was the few inches down either edge that had been undisturbed, so our pace was significantly reduced for the next half mile or so as we stepped over brambles with boots full of mud, trying not to slip off into the mire. It looked at times like we were back on a military patrol, well spread out down both sides of the track, Capt Mainwaring would have been pleased to see the Somerset Home Guard on patrol!
The only highlight of the muddy passage was when Richard spotted a large growth of mistletoe in some bushes, which brought back to him memories of Christmas romance in the Waller household. Now where did that photograph go?
Finally the end of the mud track was in sight as this section was a more grassy lane towards the golf course and then a firm gravel track up to the road, By this time Sully was no longer a golden retriever, more a grubby brown sludge covered dog, but did he care? We had lost another 10 minutes or so through the mud so a call ahead to the cafe to explain our dilemma and then a dash back to the cars for the drivers to come back and collect our passengers for the short drive into Martock. A walk of around 4.5 miles which should have taken under 2 hours was completed in just a fraction over.
Our table at the Steam Pot in the northern part of Martock was ready and waiting for us and despite being after breakfast serving time, hot drinks and six good plates full soon arrived at the table, as well as scrambled egg on a muffin for Amy. if only we had something to eat them with!, Whilst we waited admiring Amy’s rather splendid looking milk shake, fingers and then tea spoons were used to consume the breakfast whilst still hot. After an eternal wait, cutlery fresh from the pan wash was brought for us to continue what was a very tasty and filing breakfast.
Overall scores were somewhat reduced by the cutlery experience, had the scores been just for quality and quantity they would have been much higher than this weeks average score of 7.9
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