Day 70: Buckland Dinham to Kingsettle
📏 Distance: 14.84 mls (23.88km)
🌤️ Weather: Dry with some sunshine, later overcast and warm
🕘 Start: 09:26 | 🕓 Finish: 16:00
Today had all the makings of a pleasant country walk, until nature had other plans.
The morning started out promising, with a peaceful stroll along quiet country lanes leading to the village of Great Elm. I’d hoped that a riverside walk from there would offer a scenic and straightforward stretch, but instead, it turned into a bit of a trial. The path was narrow, slippy underfoot, and badly overgrown with nettles and brambles. Not exactly the gentle riverside ramble I’d envisioned.
From there, it was into the long grass, normally nothing to worry about, but today it was thick with pollen that brought on a brutal hay fever attack.
And just when I thought a quiet lunch might offer a break, I found myself under siege—by sheep! As they gathered round wanting to be fed I was relieved to escape with my lunch intact!
After lunch, I decided I’d had enough of nature’s “character-building” detours and rerouted to stick with country lanes. It added a couple of extra miles, but it was worth it for firmer footing and less hay.
The final stretch brought a bit of relief – lovely woodland paths, pollen-free and peaceful. A better than expected finish to a rather frustrating day.
Tonight’s stop is on National Trust land at Stourhead House near Frome. It’s a basic site, but serves its purpose. Tomorrow is a shorter day, and I’ve decided to stick with road walking to steer well clear of the hayfields.
