Bicknoller Circular Hike,Part VII,'On A Collision Course with a Massive Herd' by Sheila, July 15th 2
Channel: semw52
Date: 20/07/2021

After a steady shaded climb up thru Alfoxden Park and leaving this beautiful place for now I head for the fern lined tracks upwards, up and up I go surrounded by magnificence----Hinckley Point will spoil the view but even that looks less busy now and the grounds around it  melting more into the landscape---once all the cranes are gone the silver domes covering the reactor will be the scars along with the electric silos and other buildings---no doubt the old reactors A & B will dissolve in time --be dismantled---Further out in the Bristol Channel Steep Holm Island lies in the haze keeping watch--the sea serpents cruise in the muddy waters---tied to the mythology of the Holms--------legendary serpents that tickle the feet of any brave swimmers in these treacherous waters..but there are giant conger eels in these waters with big teeth and frequently caught by fisherman. Anyway I am absorbing as much as I can of this visit---of this great fresh air hike saturated in beauty all around me---gorgeous hills----BUT Not without some anxiety though as  I progress further upwards and then start a descent towards Beacon Hill and with views of Bicknoller Post again on my return walk----I see a massive herd of cows, beef cattle --must be 100 or 200 and heading my way towards Longstone Hill-----we are on a collision course so I feel the need to make an urgent diversion----why? because being chased by our cow friends in the past on several occasions on the Mendip Hills has changed my once up close encounters---I now take measures to avoid a close up ---too many big beefy cows to walk among -----phew !!!!!!But I have on other occasions in the past walked right thru them but NOW I heed previous experiences as warnings----I am happy they have freedom to roam and find natural watering holes---there is room for  both of us and plenty of alternative tracks to pursue down if necessary..........these cattle  move fast and are soon treading the ground still warm from my feet----yep they were heading straight in my direction---I met an old woman with her dog sat in the heather having a picnic--she was aware of the cows but i am not sure if she was aware just how close they were arriving near her-------off I went towards Beacon Hill and Staple Plantation to follow Plan B and the Lower Coleridge walk as will be seen in further videos to follow.