Cheddar Thursday 07 May 2015
Start: Street
Finish: Cheddar
Miles walked today: 15
Total miles: 223
Last night in the hostel there were four other people staying - a couple from Macclesfield doing a cycling tour of Somerset, and two Australian sisters doing the "big trip". The cycling duo were surprised at the strength of the wind, dodgy on two wheels. The Australian sisters had entered a draw for tickets to the commemoration of Anzac Day in Gallipoli, and been very fortunate to be picked. As well as seeing Turkey they had been to Paris and Ireland. They're currently doing a whistle stop tour of the UK which took my breath away. Just yesterday they had been in London (start of the day), Whitchurch (Jane Austin), Winchester (cathedral), and finished in Street. Phew.
Yesterday was a bit tricky, and I started today with sore feet and a slightly down feeling. Two things perked me up: a coffee (which I sipped as I walked to Glastonbury), and the sun, which makes a huge difference. By the time I reached the edge of Glastonbury I was feeling much more positive.
A woman had stopped her van and was taking photos of a tree. "It's a Foxglove tree, very rare." she explained. I took a photo (below) which isn't too good.
Today's route was across the Levels. Paths through meadows and the occasional lane. All rather pleasant. I came to a farmyard where a sign forbade me to continue. I needed to follow on for a couple of hundred yards to cross a drain and join a footpath. I didn't fancy going back, so went around the gate and followed a farm track onwards. There was a big solar farm, newly installed, and security cameras everywhere. A security guard called out and asked what I was doing.
"It's private land," he said.
"Oh. Sorry. I just want to get over the bridge to the path," I said.
In the end, he relented, and walked me to the bridge, and off the farm. During the brief walk he asked me what I was doing, and we ended up shaking hands and wishing each other luck. Nice guy, Nigel.
I noticed lots of yellow flowers along the drains and verges. Self seeded rapeseed? Anyone know? A short while later I sat for a few minutes at the side of the path. Birds were singing, the sun was shining, it was perfect. Put me in mind of:
At Rodney Stoke - a pub. And... it was open! Some locals asked about my destination, and later, eavesdropping, I learned that they were planning to attend the election count late tonight.
The whole election thing has passed me by, fortunately. It's going to be fascinating, whatever the outcome. I don't want to get all political, but humour me for a moment:
Play the video, stand up, raise your right hand, clench that fist tight, and sing along:
The people's flag is deepest red,
It shrouded oft our martyred dead,
And ere their limbs grew stiff and cold,
Their hearts' blood dyed its every fold.
And so on. You get the idea :)
Cheddar has a youth hostel. I didn't realise until walking in and seeing the red triangle on the map. Feet not so bad as I write this in the hostel. I might have some company tomorrow, too :)
