Photograph Gallery Stage 63 Bath to Compton Martin
Photograph Gallery Stage 63 Bath to Compton Martin, Tuesday 26th July 2011
The Story:
Before I start the report on today walk I must explain that today title is in tribute to the return of Strolling Steve as the pleasant pastures we walked through today were through the land he explored as a child and young man of Bristol.
We set off from Bath after enjoying a good night in the city at an early hour, we were well into the walk by 8.00am and enjoying lovely exit from suburbia by way of Prior Park, a National Trust managed park. During the walk through we spotted young deer keeping an eye on us, walked past magnificent columned buildings, through wonderful gardens with many splendid water features. It was a brilliant start to the day. Afterwards we continued to Combe Down, which is actually on a high hill before descending to countryside at Tucking Mill.
We spent the next few hours walking in pastoral bliss alongside Cam Brook, following the Limestone Link to Combe Hay, Dunkerton, Camerton and Radford. On the way we kept to the valley floor, saw Buzzards and Parakeets, walked along lovely tree lined lanes and avenues. After a brief spell of unexpected rain while leaving Bath the weather was sublime. All in all it was bliss.
After Radford we stopped for a break in a field with shire horses and goats and while there enjoyed an illuminating conversation with a horse dentist. Strolling Steve and I know a lot about horses diets and horses teeth now! Then.we continued to Hallatrow, passed a Tepee village and walked along more lovely waterside lanes and across a meadow of ponds, reeds and water lilies.
At Hallatrow we made a decision to carry on walking as despite having done 15 miles and being close to our intended finish in Clutton it was only 3.00pm and we had some miles left in our feet. We continued to Temple Cloud, found nothing there and so continued to Hinton Blewitt where we stopped at the Ring O’Bells pub for a drink. While there Strolling Steve made enquiries about accommodation in the area and after securing room at the inn at the likewise named Ring O’Bells in Compton Martin we made a determination to walk a further three miles to reach there. On the way we enjoyed a fantastic view of Chew Lake and Blagdon Lake. A final mile or two took us through strength sapping Sweetcorn fields, overgrown lanes and a bit of road but we didn’t care. 21.5 miles today leaves only about 10 for tomorrow and I so much want to enjoy Cheddar Gorge. I hope it lives up to expectations, today surpassed them.
Strolling Steves Daily Statistics:
Scenery: 8/10 – Pleasant and peaceful.
History: 9/10 – Bath, how much history do you want?
Interest: 9/10 – Land of my fathers.
Track: 8/10 – Easy level walking and great signage.
Comment: Strolling Steve is back!
The Photographs:
Goodbye Bath, it was a lovely visit
Absolutely brilliant natural wood sculpture near Crowe Hall in Bath
A close up of the creative Owl sculpture
We shall walk on a number of trails today, this grand one is the first
Knobbly
Prior Park
Prior Park House
Natural arched avenue of trees in Prior Park
Ornamental pond in Prior Park
Looking back to the splendour of Prior Park
Where to get all the news in Combe Down
Combe Down Church
Steps from Combe Down toward Tucking Mill
We follow the Limestone Link now
Small cottage near Tucking Mill
Following the Limestone Link near Midford
Unsafe bridge over Cam Brook near Upper Twinhoe Farm
Dismantled Railway Bridge in Engine wood near South Stoke. Do you notice the tree in the arch?
The tree managed to find a way up either side of the bridge
This Buzzard was flying from tree to tree and calling as we walked close by
Jacobs Sheep at Dunnyham Brake
Not as bad as it looks, a short section of undergowth near Manor House
Crossing fields near Combe Hay
Following the corn fields to Dunkerton Bridge
Exquisite petals on Peony at Dunkerton
Dunkerton Bridge
We followed Cam Brook for its full length until it terminated into the Cam at Temple Cloud
Cam Brook near Radford
Approaching Hallatrow
Jenny's Path near Temple Cloud, a famous connection to the Titfield Thunderbolt
One of the Horse Dentists shires was not budging so we had to walk round him
Apparently this goat had scratched his teet on Hawthorn recently
Strolling Steve and the Horse Dentist
The Horse Dentist's fantastic service vehicle
What has Strolling Steve spotted?
That's what, making sure we avoid a scalping!
People were walking around and enjoying a series of wonderful small lakes at Cameley near Temple Cloud
Another super small lake at Cameley
Strolling Steve muses "Not quite, I'll have to duck"
Young Rowan Tree in fruit
On the Limestone Link near Hinton Blewett
Better than the books, a genuine pub trail
Walking from Hinton Blewett with Chew Valley Lake in the distance
We watched this Buzzard circling the trees and hedgerows near South Widcombe for quite a while
High corn and long grass made this field track a difficult section at Heyden's Farm in South Widcombe
Whistley Lane near West Harptree could have done with a trim
Tough boy in field next to Whistley Lane at West Harptree
Compton Martin
Ring O'Bells, Compton Martin, great watering hole and accommodation