Somerset The Beautiful

Oh my goodness, I had forgotten just how lovely the county of Somerset is. I went off on a trip to Norton Fitzwarren and then on to Milverton today, and it's rare these days that I go north or west of Taunton. I was setting off for home and my satnav decided to take me down a small B road, I suspect to avoid Taunton; it was a good plan until the hi-vis vested man diverted me and another car off the road, as they were re-surfacing.

What a wonderful drive. I lost my sense of direction, which is rare and quite discomfiting, but the trip was delightful. I have often pointed the nose of my car down unknown lanes and byways, with no map on board and no idea of where the roads lead to, just for an adventure and to see where it takes me. I'm rarely disappointed and always find something to delight in the new scenery. Today was no different, but it also reminded me of when I first came to Somerset.

I first moved to Somerset in 2003 and stayed with someone in a place too tiny to call a hamlet in the Exmoor National Park, not too far from Minehead. Poor old Minehead, once a genteel town, it becomes a complete armpit in the summer months with the suppurating boil that is Butlins. Go a few miles out from Minehead and the countryside is lovely; rich red soil, high banked hedges and space to breathe. I spent a few months near Rodhuish and thought I should end up settling near there. Fast forward a while and I ended up in south Somerset; a very different topography and feeling, as it's softer and more lush, but lacks the slightly wild feel of my first roost.

Travelling north and west of Taunton today, I saw all the red sandstone houses and the hills starting to rise and it reminded me of those early days and reminded me of how hugely varied and exciting the different parts of Somerset are. I must do trips like that more often. And next time I must take my camera!