Day 57 A walk along the River Parrett to Hambridge & back to Langport

A good walk this morning starting at Bennett's Cottage along the River Parrett with Strads and Dingle.  This walk follows the levee along the bank of the River Parrett as far as Muchelney and then as we approach Midleney Manor House we take the path alongside the old Westport Canal to the edge of Hambridge. A short walk on the B3168 before we take the path over the fields towards Drayton. We cross one field with a "Beware: Bull in Field" sign on the gate but thankfully there is no sign of a bull!

On the edge of Drayton we turn towards Muchelney and at the disused railway line we take to the old trackbed and head back towards Langport, crossing the Parrett on the footbridge and on the town side of the river follow the path back to Jo's for lunch!

9.4 miles

Day 55 A walk in Snowdrop Valley and beyond

Today's walk starts at Wheddon Cross in the Brendan Hills on the edge of Exmoor and as this is the top of the hill we walk down a muddy path to the start of the private path into the woods of "Snowdrop Valley".  It's believed that the snowdrops were planted by Benedictine Monks to celebrate the Feast of the Virgin Mary's Purification (although the noticeboard refers to the "prurification".  An unfortunate typo! For many years the owners of the wood sold bunches at Dunster market but it is now not permitted to pick the flowers.

The snowdrops are absolutely stunning and we enjoy the quiet of this amazingly peaceful place.  After we leave the valley we head up towards the moor on steep paths through fields and following bridleways before we enter open moorland, although we remain very close to the edge there is a temptation to climb higher, following the track that leads up to the Beacon itself.  We resist as we know the walk ends with a demanding uphill path back to the car at Wheddon Cross.

The next and final stage is a combination of paths and muddy tracks which have to cross a number of streams before we make the ascent back to Wheddon Cross.

6.5 miles

Day 54 Mary walks the fields around Langport and Drayton with Jo Strads & Dingle

Ian has a meeting this morning and a sore big toe from earlier in the week. Not sure if it is the bruise or the blister which is causing problems so Mary heads to her friend's for a dog walk between Langport and Drayton, then back towards and along the River Parrett with a coffee stop on route. This can be a very wet walk across the fields between the River Parrett and Drayton - this time last year it was under water due to flooding across the Somerset Levels. However this morning it is dry with a blustery wind caused by the very tail edge of Storm Doris.

The Levels are characterised by green meadows with ponds filling any low lying hollows and skeletal willows standing in rows like soldiers marching in line across the fields. In the distance the land rises towards Somerton in the East and Curry Rivel to the West.

The walk combines riverside footpaths, field paths and tracks, crossing at one point the old railway line into Langport which is now a cycle and walking path across the Levels to Muchelney.

4.2 miles

Day 52 Along the River Cary to Park, Pitney and back via Somertonfield Lane

After ten days away from our regular walking (skiing in Canada was the alternative exercise) we set off on a new walk which combine sections of a number of others we have done since the start of the year.

We head off as though going around the valley but continue across the River Cary and pick up the path which heads alongside it in the direction of Pitney and High Ham.

The going is good as the farmers have left a decent verge between cultivated field and river bank. At each bridge we reach we continue to follow the river until we reach Pitney Steart Bridge where we leave the river bank and take the track to the hamlet of Park.

For the past mile or so we have had views across the levels to the right and on the left views of Park Farm with many very happy memories of Caro and Benji's wedding there.


We see many clumps of snowdrops in otherwise bare hedgerows, as well as on the grassy banks on either side of the tracks and paths we are following as we take the track around the western edge of Pitney Wood. This is part of the walk from High Ham on the 10th of January though we are today walking in the opposite direction.

From the end of the track we join the lanes around Pitney at Pitney Farm Shop and follow the direct route back towards Somerton following Somertonfield Lane.

8.1 miles

Day 42 Heathrow Terminal 2

OK not really a proper walk this but a combination of baggage drop and snakelike security queues and then the long walk to the gate and we completed a total of close on the required two miles that constitute "a walk".


2 miles

Day 40 To the Halfway House and back

Always a popular walk, though this is the first time in 2017. The walk heads west along roads which pass the local business park and which eventually get much less busy before becoming just a short section of track as we approach Pitney. The advantages of this route are twofold.

1. It is mostly on roads and lanes so is largely free of the cloying mud which comprises most of the local paths at the moment
2. It is a there and back walk with a great pub at the mid point.

The Halfway House is a very special pub and serves great beer and good food. Of course we enjoy both before the return walk.

6.7 miles

Day 39 Variation on the Back of Somerton Walk

With just limited time for a walk today we take one of the round Somerton walks, but adding a little additional mileage by taking in some of the pathways and passages between the housing on the western edge of the town and picking up the usual route around the town. Some of the connecting paths were unknown to either of us until today!

4.2 miles

Day 37 A Walk along the Polden Way

Today's walk is along the ridge which separates the levels around Street & Glastonbury with those beyond Compton Dundon & Somerton. These are the Polden Hills and the footpath which largely follows the crest is the Polden Way. We pick up Karen and Tim from Hurcot as the walk will end here and we shall be leaving our car at the start point on Walton Hill. The weather starts dry but we end the walk in fine drizzle, however throughout it is pretty muddy and at times sliding is good practice for skiing later in the month!

Starting from the west end of the walk we walk in turn Walton Hill, Ivythorn Hill, and Collard Hill before the path climbs to the Hood Monument above Compton Dundon.

From here, the footpath winds its way on through Hatch Hill, which is one of a number of places along the Polden Way where, at the right time of year, the Large Blue Butterfly can be found - hence the the Polden Way’s butterfly logo!

Next is Combe Hill Wood: a well managed woodland, with good parking, spectacular viewing points and well maintained stoned paths, some of which are accessible to pushchairs and wheelchairs. The top part of Combe Hill is suitable for young children, (Ettie loves it) and the elderly or infirm (mum's last walk just a few days before she died). 

The path continues through King’s Wood and into Great Breach Wood. Finally the Polden Way leads on to the top of Gilling Down. From there the path wends in and out of Great Breach Wood, down towards Hurcot, where spectacular views can be enjoyed towards Somerton and across the moors.

All in all a great walk with no steep climbs and lots of stunning views over the Somerset countryside on both sides of the ridge.

6.4 miles

Day 34 A short walk close to the Thames at Mapledurham

Today's walk was close to Mary's old home and family church at Mapledurham on the banks of the River Thames near Reading. First we meet Mary's sisters Chris and Mel to do some tidying up around Mary's parents' and our brother-in-law Geoff's stones in St Margaret's Mapledurham churchyard. Both look considerably better by the time we leave to set out on our walk.

This is part of "an old favourite" - one which in the past included the delightful Chazey Woods with wonderful bluebells, though we are far too early in the year to see them. Today's walk was along the concrete track and then, with red kites whirling in the sky above us, back along a path through the woods which is part of the Chiltern Way, down to Mapledurham.

2.5 miles