A back to back sit with our previous jaunt last week to Chedworth - this time just a few miles up the road from our home to look after Tara, a 6 month old black lab. Sits so close to home are not usually something we do (after all, we know the locality already) but this was for a friend. How could we resist ? And so it came to be - the second week of living in our wellies doing our best to keep a tangle of teeth and legs absorbed ! She was an adorable, squirming bundle of curiosity that clearly loved to learn. A trip to a local puppy training centre was an obvious favourite for her ( nothing to do with the numerous, tasty, rewards she received of course) and she quickly picked up a few new commands. Even though we lived nearby, we still managed to discover several new routes and hidden pathways and learned a bit more history of the Polden villages. The Polden Ridge is a line of low hills stretching across and between the Somerset Levels and Moors. Although less than 100m high the views across the landscape is far reaching - to the Mendips and Wales to the north and west and towards Exmoor and the Quantocks to the south. Easy and very peaceful cycling country for those inclined ! March had clearly been a very wet month - much of the ground was sodden with oodles of mud on the country paths. Getting grip twixt wellies and mud wasn’t a problem - the difficulty arose when whole layers of mud just slid over each other. Two steps forward, one step back - oh to have the benefits of four leg drive. That said, our Lady Tara was not one inclined to wet paws, oh no - like a spring lamb (she had plenty nearby to learn from) she employed the simultaneous four leg bounce to cross streams and puddles wherever she could. Hilarious. Of course we were forced to sample the delights of local emporia and, at least for now, the Polden villages are hanging on to several pubs and cafes, unlike many that have closed their doors around and about. So many villages here now that have lost their inns, post offices and little shops. But particular mention must go to J’s cafe in Chilton Polden ( look for West House on the western edge of the village) for its great coffee, cakes and snacks. It’s a popular stop for walkers and cyclists. Also the farm shop at Chedzoy by the bridge over the Kings Sedgemoor Drain (the looks give lie to the name). The week flew by, and we and Tara become closely accustomed to one another. So much so that we will be back again in a month’s time for round two !
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'23 Adventures
January 2024
photosby Bobby ! |