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!

Barton St. David

Our First Anniversary Walk! This was our second walk from Barton St. David but one we looked forward to. Just five of us parked up by the village hall in Barton for the 6.5 mile walk to King Weston, Copley Wood & Butleigh Cross. It was a lovely sunny day and we made good time through the fields towards King Weston, with lots of wild life to look at. As is the norm with our walks, Copley Woods was a different matter all together! Let's just say that the pathway out of the woods seemed to disappear, thanks to Brian we forged on and did emerge from the woods more or less where we thought we would! Having stopped for lunch we walked on to Butleigh Cross, the views were amazing. We crossed a hidden stream? or not, who knows! and made our way back to the quirkey 'nnI notraB' to sample a pint or two of the local ales and end a smashing walk. Here's to our next anniversary! One Step Beyond!

Hinton Blewitt - Extended Walk

Seven of us set out from the picturesque village of Hinton Blewitt, meeting in the lay-by opposite the Ring o' Bells. We decided to extend a walk we had done previously to Cameley making it over 5 miles. The weather was kind to us as we crossed the fields and the River Cam, the fields were full of mushrooms and several of us helped ourselves as we made our way to the village of Cameley! The beautiful 12th century church of St. James gave us shelter from the rain, David tested the acoustics with an entertaining song or two and we ate lunch in the porch. Rain stopped, we then skirted Cameley Lodge, and took to the hills above the lakes, passing some fine views, we made our way back round to the cars and just for a change, a welcome pint of ale at the pub.

This walk started from Priddy Green on a sunny Sunday morning, nine of us set off on a beautiful walk looking down over the Somerset levels. Bev had led us on this walk before but this time it was extended to around 5 miles, crossing Deer Leap and taking in the top of Ebbor Gorge. We picknicked with stunning views over Cook's Field Nature Reserve. With the Sun on our backs we strode out back to Priddy and the promise of a well earned pint outside the Queen Vic', unfortunately the wasps had other ideas and we were forced to retreat to the New Inn!

Priddy Short

This was a short walk of 3.5mls. Our leader was Bev; without any help from her male counterparts we successfully completed the walk. The views were stunning taking in most of the county, yet the walk was level. We stopped for lunch at a well known picnic area where we sampled some of Vera's home grown strawberries. The sun shone down on us for the duration of the walk, not a cappuccino in sight. We finished the walk with a couple of bowls of roast potatoes and a cold glass of lager in 'The Queen Victoria Inn'. A good time was had by all.

Goblin & Brockley Combe

Starting at the Lord Nelson, Cleeve, we walked through the picturesque Goblin Combe, sunlight filtering down through the trees. All went well until we reached the start of Brockley Combe when we found ourselves on a road to a Forestry Wood Centre! This minor detour added at least 2 miles to our intended 5.5 mile walk! 'One Step In The Wrong Direction' Undaunted we forged on and got back on track and out into the sunshine at Brockley Court. We did enjoy a well deserved pint in the beer garden, probably the best feature of the pub!

Bickleigh Devon

A good day's walk had by all from the picturesque village of Bickleigh. The walk was about 6 miles, the footpath ran along the river Exe towards Tiverton. Starting from the bridge that the locals say inspired Paul Simon to write the song 'Bridge over troubled waters', when he stayed at the local inn. We hoped to turn the existing walk into a circular one by skirting around 'Back Wood'; after climbing up steeply in the woods in the hope of finding a path, we were forced to return to the orignal path. It was still a beautiful walk with great company. Bev only managing to fall twice, Paul once, Pete once and a near miss from Lian and Brian B. We returned to the 'Fisherman's Cot ' and had a well earned drink and carvery. We sang all our favourite Simon and Garfunkel songs in the car on the way to Macdonald's for our pudding. The Mcflurrys went down very well as we discussed what a lovely day we had and how we would love the rest of the group to experience it one day. One Step Beyond Somerset!

Nunney Castle 2

Nunney castle 2 retraced the steps of our first Nunney Castle walk but the second stage of the walk followed the intended path out to the Sun Inn and back via the Quarry, the viewing platform was open and some of us found it very interesting. The walk took just over 3hrs, 8 of us took part finishing up in the George Inn for a well deserved pint! Next week Dartmoor!!

Nunney Castle

The circular walk of about 5.25miles took us down by Nunney brook. We followed the brook and through some lovely countyside managing to take a small unplanned diversion. We passed by the local quarry and a wood full of pheasants. We walked hard and took a well earned lunch break a mile from the finish line. I think some of the men were concerned we would miss last orders at 'The George Inn'. With 10 minutes to spare three drinks were ordered, the landlady took pity on us and allowed another round of drinks to be ordered before closing time. We finished the day with a walk round the village taking in the local prison and Nunney Castle itself. We hope that this walk has converted Peteman into a 'one step beyonder'.