0.000 Camelot Castle Circular January 2020 0.000 South Cadbury
We meet in South Cadbury which means Cada's fort and refers to Cadbury Castle, aka Camelot Castle.




We arrive at the car park of the Camelot Inn and Roger shows a keen interest in the route of the walk.....




....Maggie and Tony show a keen interest in ??.....




.....having got everybody together (Chris used the wrong post code and had a slight detour to Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton and was a few? minutes late!) we have the group photograph.....




...we then head off past the church of St Thomas a Becket, which is a Grade II listed building...




....then the first of several thatched cottages....




...and Castle Farm where Maggie admires the dog chasing the fox on the ridge of the roof....




...we then find out about the 'true' story of Arthur and Camelot Castle....




...then Linda sets the tone and indicates it's time to start the walk and climb the leaf strewn 'uppity bit' that Fred promised at the beginning of the walk.
]]>
We meet in South Cadbury which means Cada's fort and refers to Cadbury Castle, aka Camelot Castle.




We arrive at the car park of the Camelot Inn and Roger shows a keen interest in the route of the walk.....




....Maggie and Tony show a keen interest in ??.....




.....having got everybody together (Chris used the wrong post code and had a slight detour to Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton and was a few? minutes late!) we have the group photograph.....




...we then head off past the church of St Thomas a Becket, which is a Grade II listed building...




....then the first of several thatched cottages....




...and Castle Farm where Maggie admires the dog chasing the fox on the ridge of the roof....




...we then find out about the 'true' story of Arthur and Camelot Castle....




...then Linda sets the tone and indicates it's time to start the walk and climb the leaf strewn 'uppity bit' that Fred promised at the beginning of the walk.
]]> n1 0.000 The leaf strewn uppity bit
Fred had promised us an 'uppity bit' at the beginning of the walk and little mud on the walk. His recollection was a leaf strewn path leading up to Camelot Castle.




To be fair, Fred does agree that there is a bit of mud!.....




.....but Fiona feels he has understated the situation.....




...these two seem quite relaxed about it.....




...well maybe not completely relaxed?....




...and Linda seems less than pleased. Is it the 'uppity bit' or the mud?.....




...Fred tries to distract everybody by pointing out that the sun is breaking through.....




...Maggie and Tony use a different approach to distract from the mud and have another romantic moment! A 'good' start from Fred; it can only get better?
]]>
Fred had promised us an 'uppity bit' at the beginning of the walk and little mud on the walk. His recollection was a leaf strewn path leading up to Camelot Castle.




To be fair, Fred does agree that there is a bit of mud!.....




.....but Fiona feels he has understated the situation.....




...these two seem quite relaxed about it.....




...well maybe not completely relaxed?....




...and Linda seems less than pleased. Is it the 'uppity bit' or the mud?.....




...Fred tries to distract everybody by pointing out that the sun is breaking through.....




...Maggie and Tony use a different approach to distract from the mud and have another romantic moment! A 'good' start from Fred; it can only get better?
]]> n2 0.000 Hill #18199 in the database of British and Irish Hills.
This is in fact Camelot Hill (aka Cadbury Hill) a vast Iron Age hill fort covering an area of around 20 acres. But the title sounds more of a challenge? It is listed in the Database of British and Irish Hills as no. 18199.




We reach the top of Hill# 18 and use the topograph to admire the wide ranging views.....




....including Glastonbury Tor...




...we feel quite pleased that we've got the only hill out of the way so early in the walk....




...but then we discover that Tony has another talent - he's a comic telling a joke about the French, snails and fast food. Jem doesn't find much to laugh about and Linda looks positively unimpressed as she strides off!




...we then descend from the hill fort.....




...but these three seem to have been a bit slow coming down....




....apparently there was another romantic moment, but a different combination....




...and Maggie thinks, "I've got rid of him at last!"....




...Tony then thinks he needs to adopt a more pragmatic approach and points out holes on the route.
]]>
This is in fact Camelot Hill (aka Cadbury Hill) a vast Iron Age hill fort covering an area of around 20 acres. But the title sounds more of a challenge? It is listed in the Database of British and Irish Hills as no. 18199.




We reach the top of Hill# 18 and use the topograph to admire the wide ranging views.....




....including Glastonbury Tor...




...we feel quite pleased that we've got the only hill out of the way so early in the walk....




...but then we discover that Tony has another talent - he's a comic telling a joke about the French, snails and fast food. Jem doesn't find much to laugh about and Linda looks positively unimpressed as she strides off!




...we then descend from the hill fort.....




...but these three seem to have been a bit slow coming down....




....apparently there was another romantic moment, but a different combination....




...and Maggie thinks, "I've got rid of him at last!"....




...Tony then thinks he needs to adopt a more pragmatic approach and points out holes on the route.
]]> n3 0.000 Standards, observation skills and romance
We pass through the small hamlet of Sutton Montis which is also known as Sutton Montague.




The leaders, and other members of the group, take the earliest opportunity to enter the next field......




...but our quality assurance person takes a very dim view of those not following the official footpath route.....




....Tony makes sure he makes a good impression and follows the correct route at the next opportunity.....




...Chris is very alert to the surrounding features pointing out the strip lynchetts at the foot of Camelot Hill...




...we then see apple trees rather worse for wear....




....but Chris takes the opportunity to acquire some mistletoe...




...which leads to another romantic moment!!
]]>
We pass through the small hamlet of Sutton Montis which is also known as Sutton Montague.




The leaders, and other members of the group, take the earliest opportunity to enter the next field......




...but our quality assurance person takes a very dim view of those not following the official footpath route.....




....Tony makes sure he makes a good impression and follows the correct route at the next opportunity.....




...Chris is very alert to the surrounding features pointing out the strip lynchetts at the foot of Camelot Hill...




...we then see apple trees rather worse for wear....




....but Chris takes the opportunity to acquire some mistletoe...




...which leads to another romantic moment!!
]]> n4 0.000 Buckland Lane
We use Buckland Lane as the the footpath across the field had a fair bit of barbed wire blocking the route. A good idea maybe as it could have been muddy across the field and Fred promised no further mud?




Maybe not a completely safe route as Chris spots what looks like a maritime mine....




...Linda then questions Fred's suggestion that there would be no further mud....




...and makes her point clearly!....




...then Maggie joins in blaming Roger for splashing the back of her trousers with mud....




...then there is another romantic moment?....




.....as Tony focuses on what looks like a hill ahead. But not another 'uppity bit' surely?....




...and Brenda checks the sign....




...and thinks it might be a good idea to have a diversion?
]]>
We use Buckland Lane as the the footpath across the field had a fair bit of barbed wire blocking the route. A good idea maybe as it could have been muddy across the field and Fred promised no further mud?




Maybe not a completely safe route as Chris spots what looks like a maritime mine....




...Linda then questions Fred's suggestion that there would be no further mud....




...and makes her point clearly!....




...then Maggie joins in blaming Roger for splashing the back of her trousers with mud....




...then there is another romantic moment?....




.....as Tony focuses on what looks like a hill ahead. But not another 'uppity bit' surely?....




...and Brenda checks the sign....




...and thinks it might be a good idea to have a diversion?
]]> n5 0.000 Hill #18126 in the database of British and Irish Hills.
That hill Tony saw is Parrock Hill which is Hill #18126 in the database of British and Irish Hills. The question is whether Fred is taking us over the top? It is listed in the Database of British and Irish Hills as no. 18126




Initially, Fred is taking his responsibilities seriously as he monitors how the group copes with further mud!.....




...and different routes are taken to manage the challenge...




....and the climb rewards us with a great view of Camelot Castle....




...and a view of HMS Heron where Chris went before the start of the walk...




...and even better, Fred's route skirts around the hill, not over the top. A bonus point for Fred?
]]>
That hill Tony saw is Parrock Hill which is Hill #18126 in the database of British and Irish Hills. The question is whether Fred is taking us over the top? It is listed in the Database of British and Irish Hills as no. 18126




Initially, Fred is taking his responsibilities seriously as he monitors how the group copes with further mud!.....




...and different routes are taken to manage the challenge...




....and the climb rewards us with a great view of Camelot Castle....




...and a view of HMS Heron where Chris went before the start of the walk...




...and even better, Fred's route skirts around the hill, not over the top. A bonus point for Fred?
]]> n6 0.000 Corton Ridge
Corton Ridge is formed from resistant marlstone. There are good views across Sparkford Vale. There used to be a north-south road along Corton Ridge which was closed as a highway in 1864.




The refreshment break for most of us, but the catch up on device break for Chris and Jem!....




....Jem feels guilty but Chris?....




...then we see the full range of Tony's character, first the romantic.....




.....then the disciplinarian....




...then the helpful guy as we restart the walk after the break....




...then Chris spots an even clearer view of his favourite subject - strip lynchetts!....




....and a pretty good view of a rainbow.
]]>
Corton Ridge is formed from resistant marlstone. There are good views across Sparkford Vale. There used to be a north-south road along Corton Ridge which was closed as a highway in 1864.




The refreshment break for most of us, but the catch up on device break for Chris and Jem!....




....Jem feels guilty but Chris?....




...then we see the full range of Tony's character, first the romantic.....




.....then the disciplinarian....




...then the helpful guy as we restart the walk after the break....




...then Chris spots an even clearer view of his favourite subject - strip lynchetts!....




....and a pretty good view of a rainbow.
]]> n7 0.000 Corton Denham
Coton Denham has the distinction of being in Somerset and yet having a Dorset postal address. This is because the nearest postal town, Sherborne, sits just across the county border. It sits in a valley between Corton Ridge and Corton Hill.





We leave Corton Ridge and walk along Middle Ridge Lane towards Corton Denham and more mud!....




...where Chris finds his first water feature for the next Timsbury Walking Book?.....




...then his second....




...whereas Roger finds snowdrops and a suggestion of spring?...




...then we pass Linda's summer residence, Hallets Cottage, which Houseshop has available, as she isn't in residence, for £1,350 pcm!......




...as we leave Corton Denham, Fred is a little disappointed by rumblings about how long it will be until lunch...




....we didn't get a completely satisfactory answer. Fortunately Brenda wasn't aware that the Queens Arms was only a few yards down the road, as we might have had to make a detour there. So we continue on.
]]>
Coton Denham has the distinction of being in Somerset and yet having a Dorset postal address. This is because the nearest postal town, Sherborne, sits just across the county border. It sits in a valley between Corton Ridge and Corton Hill.





We leave Corton Ridge and walk along Middle Ridge Lane towards Corton Denham and more mud!....




...where Chris finds his first water feature for the next Timsbury Walking Book?.....




...then his second....




...whereas Roger finds snowdrops and a suggestion of spring?...




...then we pass Linda's summer residence, Hallets Cottage, which Houseshop has available, as she isn't in residence, for £1,350 pcm!......




...as we leave Corton Denham, Fred is a little disappointed by rumblings about how long it will be until lunch...




....we didn't get a completely satisfactory answer. Fortunately Brenda wasn't aware that the Queens Arms was only a few yards down the road, as we might have had to make a detour there. So we continue on.
]]> n8 0.000 Hill #5428 in the database of British and Irish Hills.
This is The Beacon and Corton Hill. The Beacon is 196 metres high and is formed from oolitic limestone. But is Fred taking us over the top? It is listed in the Database of British and Irish Hills as no. 5428




We again skirt round the bottom of The Beacon and Chris looks excited? not to be climbing a hill but to be actually walking on a strip lynchett.....




...then he couldn't contain himself as he got to walk across terracettes as well....




...then strode on (an 'uppity bit'?) to the next and higher strip lynchett....




...to be above us....




...where he had an excellent view of the strip lynchett and terracettes!
]]>
This is The Beacon and Corton Hill. The Beacon is 196 metres high and is formed from oolitic limestone. But is Fred taking us over the top? It is listed in the Database of British and Irish Hills as no. 5428




We again skirt round the bottom of The Beacon and Chris looks excited? not to be climbing a hill but to be actually walking on a strip lynchett.....




...then he couldn't contain himself as he got to walk across terracettes as well....




...then strode on (an 'uppity bit'?) to the next and higher strip lynchett....




...to be above us....




...where he had an excellent view of the strip lynchett and terracettes!
]]> n9 0.000 Whitcombe
Whitcombe is now only a farm and a few houses but was a medieval village. Many of of the houses probably disappeared at the time of the Black Death.




We pause at the hamlet of Girt




...which Chris thinks is something to do with the Wurzels....




...Larry isn't impressed!....




...we then pass Whitcombe Farm with an impressive water wheel. In the 1920s Whitcombe Farm had 12 labourers and women and children were employed in stone picking. There were 500 sheep, 44 dairy shorthorns, and 8 shire horses...




...then research takes place about why Jem has significant mud on his trousers and Fiona very little. Answers to Fred please.....




...further on Tony is very conscientious and uses the official stile....




....and Chris closes the gate after most of the others have taken the alternative route. Somehow Chris closed the gate before Larry went through and he had to use the stile!!




....as we approach South Cadbury Tony thinks the signage works!...




..then there is concrete proof that we are back at the Camelot Inn, and lunch.
]]>
Whitcombe is now only a farm and a few houses but was a medieval village. Many of of the houses probably disappeared at the time of the Black Death.




We pause at the hamlet of Girt




...which Chris thinks is something to do with the Wurzels....




...Larry isn't impressed!....




...we then pass Whitcombe Farm with an impressive water wheel. In the 1920s Whitcombe Farm had 12 labourers and women and children were employed in stone picking. There were 500 sheep, 44 dairy shorthorns, and 8 shire horses...




...then research takes place about why Jem has significant mud on his trousers and Fiona very little. Answers to Fred please.....




...further on Tony is very conscientious and uses the official stile....




....and Chris closes the gate after most of the others have taken the alternative route. Somehow Chris closed the gate before Larry went through and he had to use the stile!!




....as we approach South Cadbury Tony thinks the signage works!...




..then there is concrete proof that we are back at the Camelot Inn, and lunch.
]]> n10 0.000 Lunch at the Camelot Inn
The Camelot Inn was formerly known as the Red Lion; it was renamed when it was re-furbished in 2004.




We settle in....




...and enjoy the festive decorations....




..then food. And apparently Tony was so impressed with his curry of the day that he didn't need a dessert!...




...and a final reminder of the theme of our walk. Well done Fred and Fiona.
]]>
The Camelot Inn was formerly known as the Red Lion; it was renamed when it was re-furbished in 2004.




We settle in....




...and enjoy the festive decorations....




..then food. And apparently Tony was so impressed with his curry of the day that he didn't need a dessert!...




...and a final reminder of the theme of our walk. Well done Fred and Fiona.
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