Henry Moore: Sharing Form at Hauser & Wirth has received a 5 star-review in yesterday's i (print edition)

With the nominal lunch pub in Batcombe closed for refurbishment under new owners, and combined with the late-ish start, it makes sense to walk the afternoon loop first for lunch back in Bruton, or even - if walking the extended afternoon loop - to have lunch at the much lauded Montague Inn in Shepton Montague.

7 met at the station, all having arrived in the area the day before. As per the previous comment, we walked the afternoon loop first to arrive in good time for lunch back in Bruton and to then embark on the longer northern loop, with the option of breaking off from the group after lunch or later along the official shortcut route to be back in Bruton for a visit to the Henry Moore exhibition. We bumped into 1 other on the High Street in B, who had started a bit earlier and walked the route in the normal sequence. 1 of us went straight to H&W for the exhibition, 1 other strayed off to do his own thing half an hour after lunch, 3 took the shortcut to see the exhibition or do some food shopping. 2 finished the full route. Those arrived back in B at 6.

Some paths were overgrown (there are not many walking groups out here in the sticks to keep the grass and nettles down), the most annoying one being an 800m long rising hollooway. We did survive... Views were smashing, what with the dry clear air an sunny sky.

5 others had driven in from their abode in Castle Cary and did various combinations of a bit of walking, the Bruton Museum and Hauser & Wirth gallery plus then the official afternoon loop. Some of those then apparently walked back to CC along the optional ending rather than sharing in the car ride back.

Temperatures topped out at 23 degrees late afternoon, always with a breeze, making for a very pleasant summer walking weather.

13 on a warm day with a breeze

Travel booked: out 08.35 to Castle Cary, rtn 21.29 via Bath. Plan is to walk the pre-lunch extension (currently only map-led), with the view of taking notes for a write-up.

There is a special offer on GWR for 50% off with Senior and 16-25 railcards, which I've booked getting the trip for £9.75 out & £8.05 return. It doesn't happen automatically, you need to book via https://www.gwr.com/senior or https://www.gwr.com/student. The website said there weren't many tickets left at that price

I've also booked for this one, starting at Castle Cary (on my birthday!) but I don't plan to do the Northern extension. For those planning to return to Castle Cary the Macmillan Way offers an alternative route from about the point marked **** in the text.

A couple of tables have been booked up for dinner in Bruton, one at 6, one at 7.

Intend going.

After a quick walk up and down the train, it became clear that 10 walkers would start from Castle Cary for a potentially 29 km-walk (despite the heat) and only 3 from Bruton, which together with 1 other who had already spent 2 nights in Bruton and started the walk a little ahead of everyone else, and 1 other that had missed the train by a fraction to start 2 hours behind, makes for 15 in very hot weather. 8 would stay on for dinner and take the later trains at 19.40 and 21.29 resp., so dinner bookings were adjusted accordingly and off we went.

It was hot from the word go, without much of a breeze apart from a few short stretches on ridges and tops, so this proved to be a very tough outing for all. Beautiful lush scenerey, lots of coombes and tight valleys, streams and rivers, far views and hardly a soul in sight. Plenty of working farms: proper countryside. Very plesant, everyone seemed to enjoy the experience and think that it was worth the long journey.

The vegetation is somewhat further down the growth curve out there in the West Country than in the South East, cue overgrown paths, nettles, brambles and high grass paths. As said above, a tough day indeed. The next posting should maybe be a little earlier in the year...

We caught the Bruton starters just before lunch in Batcombe at the Three Horseshoes, which was pleasant if not exceptional.

We then bumped into the 2 hours behind-starter just before getting back to Bruton in the early afternoon and lost several walkers to succumbing to the heat and an early finish in Bruton (some went paddling in the Brue River, apparently).

8 continued with the southerly afternoon loop, utilising the afternoon shortcut to cut out the last ridge, and the diners amongst us re-united with the dining early finishers for supper at The Roth Bar & Grill at Hauser & Wirth. Exceptional surroundings, exceptional food, and after we had to vacate the table at 20.00 for the next booking, the 21.29 train-takers decamped to another table in the courtyard for affogatos and some more wine.

Then we were at the mercy of GWR performing (at least broadly) to schedule, as we only had a 22 minutes cushion for the change at Bath to the last London-bound train of the day. That was comfortably missed, and GWR had to sponsor a mini-bus taxi all the way to London. We got back about an hour after plan.

The longest SWC-Daytrip ever?

A superb day out. The heat made the walk tough going at times but the rewards were well worth the effort required and the longer journey. This walk offers a a slice of rural England at its very best. Plenty of challenge with some ascent and overgrown footpaths but beautiful views. Many points of interest along way, one being if starting at Castle Cary a visit to Wyke Champflower Church early on in the walk.

Post walk we enjoyed fabulous food at the Roth bar and Grill. Although initially shown to Guy Thomas's table, this misunderstanding was soon resolved! The food was a delight. Mention should also be made of the horseradish vodka enjoyed at the Godminster farm shop.

This is a great walk in great company and perfect for a summer outing A huge thanks to Thomas for putting together a thoroughly enjoyable day.