Jeri’s Steps: 36,091
Miles walked: 14.8
Elevation: 1,561
Pints: 2
Churches: 2
Stiles: 9
Benches: 1

Woke 7:00, left at 9:30 after cooking scrambled eggs on toast with smoked salmon. Got lost in the first mile. Not lost as such, just confused by a footbridge over the canal which was not there. This caused us to walk further east towards Bathpool and then double back. The OS Map just seemed wrong or more likely, out of date. When we were back on track we crossed the main railway line. Yes, no bridge or tunnel; we crossed over the rails, paying great attention to the Stop, Look and Listen sign. When we got to Nerrols Farm however we found it sadly deserted with the footpath diverted. A developer is building homes there, so we had to backtrack again. Finally we got to an alternate route via Maidenbrook Lane only to find out from a helpful cyclist that it was flooded, so we had to move further east yet again, well out of our way, to take an alternate footpath. Taunton was impossible to escape from..

But escape we did, into a day of mostly footpaths of varying ease of access. Mostly well marked, but a few adventures in barbed wire to spice things up. And mud, did I mention the mud? We’ve been extremely lucky with the weather. All around us is evidence of flooding but it only seems to rain at night. It’s often pouring when we get up, but by the time we have our rain gear on it’s only sprinkling, then spitting; then I feel like I’m in a sauna for the rest of the day! Keeps the mud off though.

We worked our way up and down the hills following in part The Macmillan Way (check out our sponsored charity) and visiting the churches at Cheddon Fitzpaine and Goathurst. Walking in the direction of Rooks Castle farm (great name) we came across a small herd of black cattle blocking our way across a stream. They didn’t seem to want to move and we couldn’t help noticing that the bull was pawing the ground. Seeking compromise rather than confrontation, we backed off and crossed the stream to the right, only getting one foot wet. The cows feigned indifference. Just before Goathurst the path ascended a rise and when we got to the top we had a glorious view north across the Bristol Channel to Weston-super-Mare and the distant blue hills of South Wales. We passed workers picking peas; backbreaking work. There was a noticeable change in the landscape where woodland appeared. The trees are taller here and the hills more sweeping.

Today was planned to be 11.8 miles but ended up being 14.8 due to the backtracking and work arounds but the Old Vicarage Hotel in Bridgwater was compensation enough. A 14th century building with a lot of character, great people and a very nice restaurant.
https://theoldvicaragebridgwater.com

However, Tim’s right foot was starting to bother him. More on that tomorrow…

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