Path blocked

 (near Stoke St Milborough)

Along the low ridge, blue skies and white clouds
– Clee hills to the left, Wenlock Edge to the right;
then on to the lane,
footpath sign into bracken jungle,
slash and stamp through to grassy hillside –
up, then down towards the village,
with two or three fields to cross near the bottom,
– the first one had a bull and his harem,
so went to the lower end, carefully noting
they’d gone far up to the top,
walked briskly through, over stile, and mossy ditch plank
and saw another stile ahead into last short field:

as we approached, cows, calves and a bull
moved to greet us, squashed up close – inquisitive?
should we squeeze through
big bodies, protective mums, and bull??!
Moved to the side, to the next door field gate,
followed by erupting loud chorus of bovine moos and bellows.
Would this field lead to the road?

Noticed an open gate communicating from this one to the last,
– would they notice our slinking in and through if we kept out of sight?
Deciding against the attempt, moved away just as
the herd flowed through and up to stare at us through the bars
again with fascination – were we bearers of supplement food?

Studied map, turned left parallel to the fields, to try to reach another lane.
Personal struggle to climb a gate leaning towards me – unsuccessful,
ashamed at knots having to be undone for my easy access,
passed through a tranquil field of ovine bleats and baas
from placid, reasonably sized sheep,
then over a stout fence on to lane,
and a steep climb back to the little car park:

A few hours of good views and adventure.