Undeterred by a less-than-favourable weather forecast, David, Alistair and Emma from the Foot Trails team headed out yesterday on a walk along the paths and bridleways in the county of Somerset.
Armed with our trusty Foot Trails trail card, we start at an idyllic country church, its grey stone walls and slate roof perfectly mirroring the moody sky above. With dark clouds threatening rain, we ventured out of the village, making our way past picturesque cottages and out into the surrounding hills. Our departure heralded by cawing rooks, wheeling steadfastly in the stiff breeze.
As village gave way to rolling pastures, we climbed steadily on, accompanied by the sounds of the wind in the trees and the gentle bleating of sheep. On we walked, encountering two shepherds and their bright-eyed collies, eager to get into the fields and herd their flocks.
Soon, the green grass gives way to golden wheat and barley, buffeted recklessly by the increasingly strong winds. Overhead a red kite spins, struggling to maintain its position against the gusts. It soon gives in, realising the futility of battling this kind of weather. But we walk on undeterred. Past apple trees laden with fruit and the quizzical stares of young cattle. Our passing footsteps occasionally startling a pheasant, causing it to explode riotously out of the bushes and into the sky.
As we descended the hill, the rain arrived, drenching our clothes, but not our spirits. The surrounding hills were soon shrouded by clouds. But as quickly as they descended, they also lift, allowing our gaze to broaden to the horizon once again, and our clothes to dry. Just in time for us to enter the green embrace of a tranquil woodland. A startling change in scenery after the rolling hills above. Our eyes drink in the green before we head on to a clear, babbling stream with a wide, deep ford. Resisting the urge to wade, we take the bridge, emerging onto a country lane that leads us back to our tranquil starting point. Our senses refreshed and our hearts full with the sights, sounds and scents of this beautiful corner of England.
We were walking the Deverill Way, part of our Wessex Ancient Kingdom trip.
