Congratulations to Tim Ryan and commiserations to Marcus Peckham.

Many thanks to Rose (Wood), Gill (Kingwell) and Terry (Bound) who, with me supported this walk.

After seeing Marcus & Tim off at Yarde Farm we drove up to Crowcombe Combe Gate on the Quantocks for the first checkpoint. We sat in the sun drinking coffee and watching all the cyclist go by. Our first visitor was an inquisitive pony who wanted to join us for the bread pudding!  We normally welcome any visitor to our CPs but on this occasion we sent him on his way.

We then moved off to Monksilver to set up our chairs on the lawn to enjoy more food and drink. This is a familiar spot for Terry & me  as it’s our normal Wellington Boot CP.

At CP3 we found, for the first time ever on all the WB Marshals Walks, there was a cricket match at Huish Champflower. Undeterred, we relocated  down the road to a wide field gateway. After setting up the gas cooker and boiling the kettle to refill the pump pots and our cups for another drink, we, (the girls,) went to explore whether it was a gate or rails at the bottom of the cricket field to confirm. It was at this point the farmer decided to arrive with a trailer to visit his sheep! Rose had to run to move her car while Terry was hastily loading ours, the farmer was not amused. After pursuing all options we relocated into the village where we meet people who were interested in what we were up to, asking was this the weekend where ‘funny people’ walked through the night, and others who were concerned that Rose may have broken down and offered to help.  

At Ashbrittle CP4, we all tucked in to ‘consommé with lumps’ (otherwise known as vegetable stew) and I remembered that Sue Smith always provides cheese to sprinkle on top so standards were upheld!This was followed by apple crumble & custard so we were all replenished for the night. Terry decided to accompany Tim to the canal so they left at 2030. Just before 2100 we all left with Rose taking Marcus back to Wellington and Gill accompanying me to Fenacre Bridge to pick Terry up.

We arrived at Uffculme Sports Hall Car Park CP5 to meet up with Rose. There was a wedding reception in the hall so we were entertained by the comings and goings and the very loud noise from the music. Catching forty winks as best we could, we nearly missed Tim as he went by towards the source of the noise. ‘The next CP will quieter’ he said as he went on his way

On the lane under Culmstock Beacon CP6 we set up the gas light to the sound of a rave coming up from a nearby farm. We sat around the light checking which constellations we knew, as the sky was awash with stars. Discussing how we used to be able to see the walkers below making their way along the river bank, Tim appeared out of the dark obviously saving his torch battery.

Tim’swife’s arrivalin her car at  Wellington Sports Hall Car Park wasan indication that Tim must be due to arrive, which he did at 0415 to applause from us all. After final refreshments we left after a very enjoyable event.

It was disappointing that the other nine initially interested in entering the walk had to withdraw as we had offers of help from many members including those who hadn’t been able to help before. Many thanks to all of you.

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Hazel Bound