Date: 11th March 2021
Destination: Stowell and South Cheriton
Distance: 14.37 miles
Duration: 2 hours 50 minutes
Weather: 9°C sunny intervals, hail, rain and winds of 46mph
In anticipation of inclement weather, we decided on a circular route we've cycled many times over the last four years. Although still 14 miles long it was a much shorter ride than the 20+ mile routes we've cycled recently.
The temperature suddenly dropped and it started hailing the moment I sat on my bike ready to go. Fortunately I was already dressed in waterproofs so decided to start cycling and make my way through Templecombe to hopefully meet JC en route rather than hang around and get cold. Similarly minded JC appeared no sooner had I rounded the corner.
We nipped through Templecombe Recreation Ground, (Benches at the top of the Rec provide excellent views over the Blackmore Vale) and cycled towards Henstridge Bowden. The uphill climb seemed much harder this time, maybe because of a very strong head wind and/or maybe due to the fact that I was feeling slightly fatigued from my first Astrazenica Vaccination on Sunday 7th March.
Just before Henstridge Bowden the hail stopped and we slowed down to make our way past three tree surgeons at work. We were advised that it was okay to pass as they weren't chopping any big trees down at that moment in time. No lengthy delays for us!
After cycling though Bowden we turned right into Shoredown Lane. A flock of sheep was busy eating their way through a crop of presumably turnips. An electric fence ensured the sheep only had access to part of the field, although somehow two sheep had found their way into the forbidden area!
At the end of Shoredown Lane we turned left and headed towards Mary Magdalene Church in Stowell. I particularly wanted to look for the grave of Galatia, an African buried in Stowell in 1605. (Victoria History County of Somerset and Black Tudors by Miranda Kaufmann) Unfortunately there is very little information to be found about Galatia and how she came to be in Stowell. We couldn't find her grave in the churchyard either.
After another hail shower, which saw us sheltering in the Church porch until it passed, we remounted our bikes, summited Windmill Hill and turned left into Cabbage Lane, cycling towards one of our favourite spots for a refreshment break. Whenever we pass through Wilkinthroop we sit on a wall looking out over the Blackmore Vale. We have been coming so often that we are recognised by local residents who stop to chat to us. On explaining the difficulty we have of identifying Wilkinthroop from Cucklington on the other side of the Vale we were advised to look for a shed on the horizon.
Starting to feel cold we continued on our way down Cabbage Lane, across the A357 and through South Cheriton. From this point onwards though, the temperature dropped and the rain/hail came in to stay. Rounding the corner at the bottom of South Cheriton we had to take evasive action to avoid ploughing into an alsatian and his owner. We both swerved to our right to avoid a collision. My front wheel nearly colliding with JC's rear wheel.
At the end of Batchpool Lane we crossed over Battspool Bridge which spans the River Cale and turned right into Moor Lane.
By the time we turned right into Gigg Lane we'd been cycling in the rain for a few miles. I had several layers on, unfortunately JC was only wearing only one pair of goretex trousers and with wet gloves was feeling the cold. We now wanted to get back as soon as possible.
We had amazing skies for the first half of our journey today and managed to keep dry between showers, once taking shelter in Mary Magdalene Church, Stowell during a hail shower. The second half of the journey gave us persistent rain, which led to JC feeling particularly cold towards the end of the journey. Always great to be out and about cycling whatever the weather but always good to get back to our homes, to a hot shower or bath and a much deserved hot cup of tea.
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