Hinton Blewett – 22.7.18
A nearly 6 mile walk starting and ending at the Ring O Bells pub in Hinton Blewett.
This circular walk started in Hinton Blewett on a gloriously warm morning. The fields were brown and the mud had solidified which made for interesting walking. Fortunately there were also some shady lanes and wooded paths. The walk went through the lovely little village of Litton where the reservoirs provided a good lunch stop and the opportunity to watch the birds on the water.
Gargoyle on St Mary’s Church in Litton
Hot sheep huddled in a shady corner
Buzzards gliding over the reservoir
Pine woods are less common than deciduous woods in this area so it was nice to walk through one for a change
Litton Reservoir
A family of diving ducks a little too far away to identify – could be Coots or Cormorants
An easily identifiable bottom
A familiar site – cows and bulls are generally harmless but can give you a stare that makes your blood run cold!
Some people do feel nervous when walking in fields with cattle. Between 2000 and 2015 the Health and Safety Executive reported 74 human deaths in the UK caused by cattle. 56 of these were farm workers. Of the remainder 17 were accompanied by a dog and 17 were lone walkers. So walking in a group with no dogs is very safe as long as you’re calm and sensible. Here are some helpful tips from Countryfile to maximise safety:
- If you’re with a dog you should keep it on its lead, particularly during calving season. By law farmers are entitled to destroy any dog that injures or worries their animal.
- Stay well clear of calves, and resist temptation to pet them.
- If you feel threatened by a herd when you are with a dog, let go of its lead so you and it can get to safety seperately.
- Move in a careful, calm way, if you sense a threat, keep moving with your body facing the cow; don’t turn your back to the animal or run.
- Tell the landowner and highway authority about any attacks or frightening incidents and contact the Health & Safety Executive and Police if it’s of a serious nature.
Rolling hills and views for miles
The continuing heatwave has made the landscape look more Mediterranean than Somerset!
Well any walk that starts and ends at a pub has a lot going for it in my opinion.
I have to day the image of the ducks did put me in mind of one of the famous ones of Nessie.
The reservoir looked wonderful and very tempting on a hot day I should think. Thanks for these, great images.
The Ramblers do quite often start and end at a pub – they claim it’s because of the parking!!