Saturday 3rd June dawned bright and sunny, as it was as the walkers gathered at the Church Centre for a 9.30 a.m. start to walk the 8 mile circular walk around Midsomer Norton.
Carol, Martin & Kathy were joined by 2 friends from Norton/Radstock Ramblers and we welcomed Simon & Jeanette Gant from Exeter. Simon is the regional co-ordinator for NCH and joins one of the walks each year. We were delighted he chose Midsomer Norton this year.
After the
usual 'photo call', we set off for the Greenway to walk in the direction
of Northmead Road then Underhill Lane, where Trevor joined us. Continuing
to the end of the lane we crossed the stream to lower Clapton Road, crossed
the road heading for Hillier's Down Woods.
Walking
to the top of the wood, picking our way through muddy areas, took us alongside
Farrington Golf Course, where we dropped down through an adjoining field
to a stile which took us over the bottom end of the Golf Course, leading
us to a watery lane where we stopped off for a drink of water or coffee,
and of course an opportunity for a photograph!
Refreshed,
we headed up through the lane which brought us out on the Ston Easton
to Clapton Road, turned left and walked a little while on the road until
we came to a stile...
...which
took us over a couple of fields to upper Clapton.
Here, again,
we walked a little of the road, taking us past the old Methodist Church,
then across fields and stiles until we were overlooking Chilcompton, at
which point we stopped for our packed lunch, under a tree, as the weather
continued to be very warm and sunny.
Appetites satisfied
we continued down to Chilcompton and up a rough lane were we gained the
old railway line so returning to the new pathway in the wood below the
Station at Silver Street. Down past Somervale School playing fields and
back via St. Johns and the Roman Catholic Church for the benefit of our
Exeter visitors.
A welcomed cup of tea was had at the Centre before we said our farewells.
A welcomed cup of tea was had at the Centre before we said our farewells.
