Saturday 16th. March 2013.

Brian and his friends set of on their ascent of the northern edge of the Mendip Escarpment started at 9.00am. They were looking forward to the walk, although there was concern as the weather over the previous few days had been appalling. Unfortunately "Mendip Mud" was the name of the game today as they slipped and slithered on the steady climb onto the Mendip Plateau- the irresistible temptation to change into the clean and dry "spare boots" that they were carrying was resisted (just). However, the team did not resist an occasional "about turn" to recover and also to admire the panoramic view of the Chew Valley, it's lakes and the hills beyond that was unfolding before them. Lunch was taken in the rain and in Stockhill Forest before the onward journey over the top of Mendip to the Southern Escarpment where they were treated to equally stunning views of the Vale of Avalon and the Somerset Levels. Another slippery slide followed on the precipitous descent into Wookey Hole where a rescue vehicle awaited with dry clothes, clean boots and the promise of the deliverance of a hot bath.

 Friday 5^th April 2103

Chris is an eighty percent “end to ender” and we were very fortunate that she was happy to stand in for Richard (the section 34 minder) and carry Trevor’s boots from Wells to Castle Cary. Chris Billinghurst and Graham Allen had two gloriously dry sunny walking days in complete contrast to the relentless mud of the winter. 

 They set off from Wells on Friday after coffee with Brian, Margaret and Martin, heading south through Park Wood, where the wood anemones were flowering, over Worminster Down and on towards North Wooton. A Goldcrest and long-tailed tits joined us for lunch, a change from the usual Robins. Chris soon discovered the disadvantage of walking in farmhouse Cheddar dairying country on a dry day in spring with rain forecast as muck spreaders were, or had been, working giving many fields an interesting aroma (they counted 7 during their journey).

 Saturday 6^th April 2103

On Saturday the views back to Mendip, and down to the site of Glastonbury Festival, made the climb up Pennard Hill worthwhile, but however Chris used Trevor's boots filling her rucksack as an excuse not to buy cider at the vineyard on the descent! So instead they had coffee with their lunch, sitting in the sun outside Hornblotton Church which, as Trevor described it, is a truly “peaceful place”.

The white Alpacas were in a field  near Hornblotton.

After a long winter Chris remarked it was good to get out on lovely section 35 of The Monarchs Way carrying Trevor's large but amazingly clean Boots. Chris set out on a sunny day with a cool breeze which was ideal for walking and the April showers more of less missed him. He found the Hawthorn and Hazel at last were well into green leaf in the hedgerows, although most of the trees apart from the Willows were still bare.

Chris stopped at the top of Lodge Hill, above Castle Cary, remembering the last communication he had from Trevor, who expressed his outrage at the big grey tower of the new pet-food factory in the middle of the view. However, Brent Knoll (22 miles) and Hinkley Point nuclear power station (28 miles) were clearly visible. 

The route was well marked, although two Public Footpath signs carrying Monarch's way stickers had fallen since Chris last walked it (now reported to the relevant authorities): perhaps the result of the very harsh winter. Chris makes the point that it is well worth having the Guide Books and a 1:25,000 OS map as well as looking for the way markers. Trevor always said that landscapes change and the rusty gate (page 89, line 13 is no longer in place). This requires walkers to find their own line to the left across the field to the left. Further on Chris was delighted to see Deer at exactly the same place that Trevor had recorded seeing them in the Guide Book, all those years ago.      

Jean set off from South Cadbury with several friends from South Somerset Ramblers (who actually look after the next 11 sections) accompanying her. It was a lovely day with  a few clouds and light breeze. The temperature rose to 17°C, giving the feeling that Spring has arrived. 

Jean headed south up and onto Corton Ridge. The views were far reaching and conditions were much better then her last visit when melting snow had made the route into a skating rink.

Jean continued down to Sandford Orcas, with its beautiful old manor house. They chose to follow the old route to the B3148 as the original is more attractive. Jean and her friends stopped for lunch on a sunny grassy slope, looking back towards Corton Ridge and South Cadbury itself.  

The busy B3148 was carefully navigated and then they turned off towards Trent. There was a short pause at the Millennium Pond and then the final stretch along the main street of Trent (a beautiful village) arriving at the end of the section at the church.

Charles actually visited Trent and its manor twice, both on his way down to Charmouth (this section) and on his return. More information is available in Trevor Antill's well written guide books.   

Brian stopped for a drink and then later for lunch in exactly the same places that he and Trevor used to stop at in years past. Brian finally arrived at the end of this section at Ham Hill, a place with wonderful views and where in the guide book Trevor writes “a natural adventure playground for children of all ages”.

On Friday 10^th May, a cloudy day with light drizzle, Brian set out again on a section he had walked with Trevor before.

Trevor always enjoyed the tremendous views to be found as you walk along the escarpment and the Ham stone villages passed through on the way to Crewkerne.

Again this section has seen some major improvements taking the walker off roads and onto newly created footpaths and bridleways, all down to Trevor’s hard work.

Thank you Trevor!