Crook Peak 2

Four of us set off for Crook Peak, a six and half mile walk. Our first attempt at this walk was in September 2009. This time we decided to do the walk in reverse hoping to make it easier going. We headed off along the river towards Loxton. The sun was shining and although we feared the worst, it was a scorcher! We came off route a little for Sue to show us a cave set back into the hillside. Pete's gadget came in very hand, that is to say the torch on the end of his walking stick. We continued on through the woods that made our steep climb to Crook Peak more gradual. We were rewarded with stunning 360 degree views. Being a clear day the breathtaking views were of the Bristol Channel, Wales, the Somerset Levels and the Cheddar Reservoir. After a stop for lunch we took the steep walk up to Wavering Down , where a stone seat was strategically placed with superb views and etched into the stone were the words 'Only a hill but all of life to me'. We continued the walk through Kings Wood, downhill back to the Cross main street, and then on to the beer garden of the White Hart.

It was a good walk which took us just over three hours, brilliant weather, excellent views, another good Sunday walk for the One Step Beyonders.

Burrow Mump

It was a lovely sunny Sunday, and just the three of us decided to travel a little further to take on the 5.5 mile Burrow Mump walk. Apart from King Alfred's castle it was a very flat walk, but not without incident! About a mile and a half into the walk we were walking down a drove, hedges to the left and open fields on the right, we had just stopped to check the map when a shot rang out, then another whistled into the hedge in front of us! We retreated back a few yards to gather ourselves while more shots were fired, small metal targets were pushed into the ground about ten yards in front of us, there were no warnings or signs anywhere. We saw a Landrover drive off and the shooting stopped, quickly we walked on clearing the field, we did see people still standing in the copse where the gun shots came from.

Next crossing a farm yard we were confronted by barking dogs, we crossed a field of geese without incident tho' we did fear the worst! There was some lovely countryside but the best views were from the Mump, it was stunning. We sat on the terrace of the King Alfred pub by the river for a well earned pint. We will visit the Mump again, perhaps next time we'll take a quieter route! Definitely One Step Beyond!