Photograph Gallery Stage 68 Wellington to Tiverton
Photograph Gallery Stage 68 Wellington to Tiverton, Sunday 31st July 2011
The Story:
Todays walk was dominated by the Grand Western Canal as Strolling Steve and I walked almost the full length of it, missing out just a short middle section. There is lots of the canal to come but let’s start in Wellington. The first section from Wellington to Waytown was on excellent paths and tracks through more lovely Somerset countryside. There was little road to walk at all. The only drawback to total enjoyment was the heat. It was a close and stifling day. I was dripping sweat from my brow to my eyes from the start. My hand towel was working overtime and continued to do so until the end of the day.
From Waytown we followed the beginning of the Grand Western Canal. Within half a mile we came across the Waytown Lime Kilns, a series of five adjacent Kilns that were used extensively for a short time only; the death knell was when the railways came. Apart from the interesting kilns the first few miles along the canal to Westleigh was divine. The canal was fully tree lined. Reeds, bullrushes, water lilies and many more waterside plants prospered. Dragonflies were abundant, the canal teemed with fish and swans, ducks and coots graced the surface. From Westleigh to Sampford Peverell much remained the same although as we walked toward the village people started to appear. There had been none at the start. On the stretch between the villages we met Ted and Bob Hill, two brothers enjoying a cycle ride along the canal. In fact we met them three times as the heat and cycling was causing them to take a break or two. And their saddles apparently! We all had a good laugh.
After Sampford Peverell we continued along the canal but it was getting less pretty with fields, hedgerows and road replacing the trees as companions. Thus we cut off the towpath at Rock Bridge for a change of scenery. We walked through Halberton, a village mentioned in the Domesday Book. The village mill pond being the highlight. Here a brave duck wanting for food pecked Strolling Steve. Alas he had none.
After the Halberton distraction we returned to the canal and soon came across the site of an aircraft crash when a Canberra crashed into the canal in 1961. There is a memorial to the pilot and navigator. Soon after we passed a narrow boat being pulled by a shire horse, reputedly the last such one in England. These interludes and more to pass courtesies with all kinds of leisure walkers quickly took us into Tiverton. Our feet knew we had walked a lot thought. They ached. It had been a hot day walking along the canal. Still it was another pleasurable day on the walk. Very nice.
Strolling Steves Daily Statistics:
Scenery: 7/10 – River and canalside.
History: 9/10 – A rich tapestry.
Interest: 8/10 – Lots of surprises.
Track: 9/10 – Well made. Stony paths can be wearing.
Comment: Rewarding.
The Photographs:
Leaving Wellington via Tone to follow the West Deane Way
Duck, the track goes under a low bridge at Harpford Bridge
Peacock Butterfly seen near Lower Wellisford
Gatekeeper Butterfly seen near Lower Wellisford
Pond near Lower Wellisford
Shelter from the storm for small animals
The Mary Michael Pilgrims Way etched into a wooden sign at Higher Wellisford
Countryside near Greenham
The beginning of our walk along the Grand Western Canal at Greenham
Waytown Tunnel at the eastern end of the Grand Western Canal
The Waytown Limekilns
Brown Trout in the Grand Western Canal at Greenham
The Grand Western Canal near Whipcott
Fossend Bridge on the Grand Western Canal
Information on Dragonflies. We saw plenty but they all eluded my camera.
The walk along the Grand Western Canal was a real treat
Bullrush near Ayshford Court
Canal side plants near Ayshford Court
Flush of flower
Water Lilies near Sampford Peverell
Boat moored outside gardens in Sampford Peverell
Ducks enjoying a sunny day on the Grand Western Canal
Celtic gravestones in Halberton Churchyard
Red Admiral on leaf at Halberton
Boats moored on the Grand Western Canal near Halberton
A family of Swans taking it leisurely on the Grand Western Canal at Manley Bridge
They said it was the only horse drawn longboat still operating in the country
Having a nice day out on the Grand Western Canal
Merchant's Trail in Tiverton, bedded into the pavement
Old Blundells, Tiverton
Lowman Green Clock Tower in Tiverton
Walking into the centre of Tiverton