Monty the Motorhome is shivering as the temperature drops. However when the sun appears it quickly warms, so it has been one of those days when it is difficult to know what to wear.
We started out by visiting the local Farmers Market, which runs from 1030 to 1130 every Tuesday. The fact it is only 1 hour indicated it is not a huge affair, and it seems more like the old style WI (Woman’s Institute) market with stalls selling home produced foods and crafts.
The venue was a church hall and it was all very cosy and friendly. Tea, coffee, biscuits and sponge cakes were free - almost unheard of nowadays; while the stalls were run by a gaggle of elderly matron like ladies. We picked up some jam, chutney and a couple of cakes. Also some strawberries - more about that later.
Lunch was taken at another friendly place - a cafe run by the local community church. The mini vegetarian breakfast was very filling.
In the afternoon we walked through the town and to the entrance to the gorge. This is what everyone comes to Cheddar for, so obviously there are lots of touristy shops selling all manner of souvenirs, along with opportunities to ride on buses through the gorge or visit some of the local show caves.
The gorge itself starts from the town and a main road runs straight through it. We walked up the first half, along the road, and only met a couple of other pedestrians, though I’m sure it would be different at a weekend.
The scenery is spectacular, with sheer rock faces rising from the road and a jagged skyline of peaks and pinnacles.
Our afternoon finished with a walk along The Strawberry Line - a disused railway line, that is now a footpath and cycleway. The name comes from the area being famous for the production of early strawberries. South facing slopes at the bottom of The Mendips, on fertile soil, are ideal for the production of this crop. The line closed during the early 1960’s, but prior to that was the main transport route for the crop to be taken to markets around the country. Now only a short distance (11 miles) of the original track is open to the public, but it is hoped that all 30 miles will eventually be opened up again for walking and cycling.
Evening meal tonight was slightly different - a Lao Thai restaurant. My food was primarily stir fry veg, in a rich tasty broth, along with sticky rice. Ruth went for a Pad Thai noodle mix. Our verdict - we’d definitely come back, but only if they turned the heating up as the place was quite chilly. While we were eating it snowed briefly, but walking back to the van we were bathed in evening sunshine.
Posted April 28th
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