Just got back from a weekend in Somerset catching up with friends and my infamous dog. My poor long suffering friend, Pat (see previous blogs) was dragged out once again along with equally long suffering Buster.

Avoiding the masses in Cheddar Gorge we headed up to Charterhouse for a gentle stroll up to the Trig point on Burrington Coombe, making the most of the dry, sunny if not blustery weather on Mendips highest point. Despite the heat haze the views across to the coast, Brean Down, Brent Knoll and Wales were as breathtaking as usual. It's lovely and open up here on the Coombe and there is something about it that reminds me of Yorkshire - must be the heather!

From the trig point we headed down to Rowberrow Woods, making the most of the shade of the trees and enjoying the remaining Bluebells. We were both surprised to note how many bluebells were up on the Coombe as both of us (not Buster - he's a dog!) were under the misconception that these beautiful spring blooms only grown in the woodlands! How wrong we were.

As we stopped for lunch under the shade of a tree we watched in wonder as a small Roe Deer bounded towards us, which, thankfully, Buster failed to notice as he was too engrossed in our pasties! A little later and I saw my first ever Hare - which took me completely by surprise as it was huge. Time passed and I was warming into the stroll I suggested that we added a bit on to the planned walk but as we were due to attend a friends party in the evening it was suggested that perhaps this might be pushing things time wise, so we wandered back to the car after enjoying a lovely bimble with very little mud.

Now here's the thing. I thought it was a bimble and found it to be one of the most relaxing walks I'd done in a while and didn't think we'd actually gone very far nor been out that long, so couldn't figure out why both Pat and Buster were looking a bit tired. It was only when we checked Pat's pedometer that I realised we'd been walking for around 4 hours, had covered somewhere between 8-10 miles and used up 600+ calories. Brilliant! I hadn't even felt it and, even better, it meant I could definitely have cake later at the party!! Seriously though, it made me realise just how far I've come since I started out on my quest last October/November - and that felt good. Just got to keep it up now and challenge myself a bit more on some different walks, ready for Big Ben in September.

But it's not all about height and distance. It's about the quality of the walk - the experience and taking the time to notice your surroundings (like the deer and hare) and to have fun. I've had some good experiences in April and they've not exactly been extreme dare-devil routes but I've enjoyed everyone of them and met some fantastic people. I'm going from strength to strength, feeling fitter, learning more and getting out and about with a big grin on my face and hope you're all managing to do the same. Summer is approaching and the hills are calling and walking is not only great exercise for the body, but for the mind and spirit as well.

Not sure what May has in store for me yet, but hope it's as fun as April was. The highlight of the month had to be my week in Yorkshire and now the camera's working again here's a couple of extra pictures of Pen-Y-Gent, Ilkley Moor (Me and my Da at the 12 Apostles), sea cliffs on the Robin's Hood Bay to Whitby route - plus the now infamous yellow jacket!