We originally intended to do this walk in May, but due to a minor planning oversight, we had to postpone it until yesterday. The fated Saturday in May was, of course, right in the middle of the Badminton horse trials. We would have had no chance of parking anywhere near, let alone of having any opportunity of seeing Princess Anne being tossed off her horse into a pond, which I don’t think really happens these days anyway.
There were just 5 of us this time: all ladies except for myself. We started at the entrance gates to Badminton House, and proceeded north to the public footpath entrance to the estate. It was all set up for the flower show starting on Monday, and there were footpath diversions in place. We could have just ignored them, but one likes to follow the rules, even though there was hardly anyone about.
Except for a short patch of wading (unnecessarily) through long grass and wild flowers, this walk was entirely on tarmac paths and roads. This meant that we got round quickly, and finished not long after lunch. When we pre-walked it, we had gone across the fields, where we met some very friendly horses, which some of us thought were a bit too friendly. Those others of us took the opportunity to dive through a hedge, losing the map to the wind in the process. Fortunately, I had a back-up copy. So, we didn’t go that way yesterday, not even to try and retrieve the original map.
The scenery in and around the estate was very beautiful, and there were no significant hills to speak of. We stopped for our elevenses at the church in Sopworth, where there were no benches, so we sat on a wall instead.
After that, we took a brief excursion towards Sherston to admire the sheep, and then turned back to join the intended path in the direction of Luckington. Following on from there, we again avoided footpaths with friendly horses, and later settled on a log to enjoy our lunch at the Giant’s Cave Chambered Long Barrow. There was debate as to where that actually was, but the map insisted it was close by.
It was then not far back to where we had parked in Badminton village.
This walk was between heatwaves, and there was a cool breeze and little direct sun. A good time was had by all who joined us.
