Photograph Gallery Stage 67 Bridgwater to Wellington
Photograph Gallery Stage 67 Bridgwater to Wellington, Saturday 30th July 2011
The Story:
I anticipated an ordinary walk today as I walked with Strolling Steve through the heart of Somerset. I got more than I bargained for as despite some walking on high hedged roads I saw some beautiful places. It was a lovely day.
The start was the only disappointment. We firstly walked through Bridgwater and it was not a pretty sight. The recession has hit the town hard and it shows. We paced through and out of the city but there was a very funny dialogue between Strolling Steve and a local which I must impart. “Is this the road to Rhode?” Steve asked, wanting to confirm where we were. The local replied “Which road?” Steve asked the same question again. He replied “This is Rhode Road”. Steve tried again with “Yes I know it is Rhode Road. Does it go to Rhode?” to which the local replied “Which road are you looking for?” Steve gave up. It was hilarious.
After the comedy we followed quite country roads out of Bridgwater; it is startling how urban to rural happens in the blink of an eye. One minute we were passing through fringe estates, the next we were walking past thatched cottages and grand country houses. The beauty had arrived. Soon afterwards we left the roads and lanes to walk through Kings Cliff Wood, a woodland full of Sweet Chestnut trees. The change as I walk through this wonderful island is ever exciting. After Kings Cliff Wood we had to make our hardest climb of the day up a steep hill of just one field. Don’t forget, we had nothing above 32m yesterday. This was 191m! Afterwards we descended into Kingston St Mary and took a break in the village before continuing on the west fringe of Taunton to Norton Fitzwarren. During this section of wonderful walking we came to an Iron Age Hillfort, completely circular. It is now a field of Maize but it is surrounded by a track and trees; its identity remains. It is also well documented on information boards which is encouraging. On the Somerset countryside expedition we also found riches. Steve found a five pound note which went straight on the lottery. He also found coinage – see his notes. More riches still, these of the land as picked apples and sweetcorn to supplement our supplies. The fruits of the land have helped us along and Somerset was proving an able assistant. From Norton Fitzwarren we followed the delightful River Tone to Bradford on Tone which was the scheduled stop. Only 18 miles? Only 3.45pm? Let’s do a bit more was the agreement. Strolling Steve and I continued on for a further three miles to Nynehead before detouring to Wellington. Great stuff!
Strolling Steves Daily Statistics:
Scenery: 7/10 – Pleasant but unremarkable.
History: 6/10 – Admiral Blake, Great Western Railway and Cider.
Interest: 7/10 – Engaging.
Track: 7/10 – Grass and tarmac in equal measure. Well marked.
Comment: Money for old rope.
The Photographs:
Browne's Pond in Bridgwater
Pacing out of Bridgwater
In the country again
There are lots of places around here
Lane from Boomer Farm to the woods
Information board at King's Cliff Wood
We were walking in lovely Quantock Hills country
Walking through King's Cliff Wood
King's Cliff Wood
Rooks Castle Wood
On the Macmillan Way from Rooks Castle Wood
High Clavelshay
Lane near Owls Hill Farm
Signpost at Volis Cross. We go left
No comment
Walking into Kingston St Mary
Breaktime in Kingston St Mary
Letting the steam out
Fieldside track from Kingston St Mary
Suddenly feeling smaller
At least there is some polyethylene pipe insulating us from the electric fence.....
...but Strolling Steve doesn't like the look of it......
....so under the electric fence he goes
Signpost at Norton Camp Hillfort
Norton Fitzwarren Church
Choice brews in Norton Fitzwarren
Enjoying bounty of the earth
Through the Sweetcorn Field
Taking a break beside the River Tone
On the Two Counties Way....
...and now the Deane Way
Roadbridge at Bradford on Tone
Summer visitors enjoying the view
Near Blackham Copse
Welcome to Wellington
Wellington Church