Banwell Walk To Hutton Part III Will I Spot the Black Panther Again in 2023  I definitely did see it
Channel: semw52
Date: 28/08/2023

The walk along the back lane continues after passing Warren Cottage and with the public track only separated  from Banwell woods by fields running parallel.One field recently harvested with large black plastic  rolled bales scattered around --the next field now with a crop of very tall maize.On a previous visit here this year in the colder months I spotted  what looked like a very shiny  and large black animal--not a cow, dog or cat but  a panther-like creature  moving stealthily across a field here--I was not expecting to see it and was not looking for it but it caught my eye but  there was no real time to get the camera organized, unfortunately but I did record my experience as my walked continued on that day.Hence on this walk, today in the Summer, I kept alert with the camera primed just in case another encounter was to occur. There have been sightings by others here in Banwell and the wood takes on an extra dimension to its already ancient and  mystical history---caves with  very ancient bones, a tower and other follies  hidden within the undergrowth and  cages---
Yes I have wandered in the wood before now as I explored the area of Banwell. Even entered what was a cave entrance on one occasion but I decided, since seeing that panther and from previous stories, that I would keep a safe distance--various  locals have said  best not to go in the wood......Signs of shooting in progress warn you, padlocked  gates and fencing are barriers to entry but there is an obvious central pathway running thru the wood to the Tower and  paths either side skirting close to the wood--I have walked all of them at different times---not yet been able to go deep in the caves on an organized visit---the caves have been closed for a while since the Covid-19 epidemic and lock downs in 2020...but there is definitely a mystery and much history here--this whole area was visited by people  back to the Stone Age with a hill fort nearby  as well from the Iron and Bronze ages plus the Romans were here after the lead.New archaeological evidence  has revealed  a much more developed settlement on a larger scale not far from here --discovered when underground cables were being laid---all can be found online.
Anyway the  Summer walk continues