Is that your Cat?

Today's walk took me from Trudoxhill to Bruton, 14 miles, a more straight forward walk than yesterday, following lots of trails and forest paths. This meant Oscar could be off his lead for most of the walk.

It was a really hot day and the dappled shade provided by the trees helped to keep us both cool. No rivers today but plenty of puddles for Oscar to sit in and cool off, it's amazing where he finds water.

We made a friend as we walked along, a dog from a farm we passed trotted along with us for quite some distance. I tried all sorts to get him to go back, but he was having none of it, I think this is just what he must do, guiding visitors along the path to the woods then he just turns round and trots back home. Oscar wasn't in the least bit interested he was more focused on flushing out any birds he could find. If I had a gun with me we would have a freezer full of game!

Alfred's Tower

You can see Alfred's Tower for some distance, 160 ft high triangular building, built in 1772, to mark the spot where King Alfred made his stand in 878 against and to repel the invading Danes. Unfortunately to visit the tower I had to deviate off the main path and walk up a hill. With the heat i just thought sod it, it was just too hot, I'll look at the pictures, same as everyone else! 

About 5 hours into the walk, I was jiggered with the heat, I'd run out of water and Oscar was panting like a steam train. I was walking past a house when a Springer Spaniel popped out closely followed by it's owner. We had a bit of a conversation and she offered to fill up my water bottle (not a euphemism - well I don't think it was!) and get some water for Oscar. It was at that point I caught a flash of black and white out of the corner of my eye and Oscar was gone, chasing the owners cat through the woods. Bloody dog, thankfully she was quite chilled about it. Eventually he came back, but where did that burst of energy come from, that's the thing with Oscar, if he's out and about, no matter how tired he is anythings game - especially, cats, birds and small mammals, We made a quick exit! Then flustered, took a wrong turn which resulted in me having to climb over a barb wire fence, i had to pick my spot carefully to ensure my tackle remained intact!

We made it to Bruton, as you enter the town, you have a choice of going across the River Brune by stepping stones or use a bridge, now its not like me to make a sensible call but having tried the stepping stones approach at Bolton Abbey, a couple of years ago and falling fully clothed into the river, I wasn't going to make the same mistake twice!

The back up team was waiting to pick up the overheated and weary travellers. The minute Oscar was in the car he was fast asleep. We made the short hop to our holiday let, followed by the magic of a cup of Yorkshire tea to refresh and revitalise. You can't beat it!

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