Tuesday 16th April 2024 - Churchill

Five of us today. Starting in Churchill and an area I haven't walked in before. Initially a loop to the north west of Churchill and then intertwing through the Sarden House estate. A bright sunny morning, warm in the sun away from the wind but much cooler in exposed areas in the wind. 7.5 miles with 700ft ascent.

The horses were there to greet us

Still muddy  in parts but the surface is drying out in the warmer windy conditions

Part of the highly manicured Sarsden Estate

It looks like this was once an important gateway to the estate.

So much work and detail in the pillars

'Dead dog corner' a graveyard for dogs on the estate.

Wonderful splashes of colour from the rape seed.

And a field with lots of circles of mushrooms

Now that is an attractive hedge.

Bluebells beside the road

All Saints church, Churchill

The Gothic fountain on the village green

Friday 12th April 2024 - Crickhowell

A circular walk from Crickhowell with the friends of Brecon Beacons group. Initially following 3 rivers up to Llanbedr and then the steeper bit up to Table Mountain. A glorious sunny warm day with spectacular views. 10 miles with 1700ft ascent.

Crickhowell

First view of Table Mountain

Llanbedr

St Peter's Church, Llanbedr

Going up the steeper bit

Table Mountain comes into view

A bit spread out

Looking down on Crickhowell

Looking down on Llanbedr

A splendid view for lunch - across to Sugar Loaf

Looking back up

Tuesday 2nd April 2024 - Temple Guiting

 

Starting in Temple Guiting and up the lane to the Lousehill Plantation. Down to Pinnock and then along Campden Lane to Stumps Cross.  Around the edge of Guiting Quarry to Cutsdean, through Ford and back. 7 miles

It's that time of year again.

Mud everywhere - this is the Campden Lane track

Past Stumps Cross

Guiting Quarry

Even deeper than when I last went past

Cutsdean

Church of St James in Cutsdean

Tuesday 19th March 2024 - Bude Canal

On holiday for a week in Bude and an opportunity for me to lead a walk for my old fiends from Dartmoor. Initially following the Bude canal and then across country to the coast path just north of Widemouth Bay. Returning to Bude on the coast path.

The canal was opened in 1823 to move lime enriched sand from Bude beach to the fields in North Cornwall. Unusual in it construction because inclined planes were used rather than locks to go uphill. The boats were pulled up railway type tracks using powerful winches before going back into the canal at the higher level. The canal was 35 miles long with 6 inclined planes.

Across the muddy fields to.....

 

.....the coast.

Along the coast path

....to find a place for a picnic lunch....

...with this view to the north.....

...and this view to the south

Then back along the coast path 

To Bude

Back on the headland above the beach we could see Bude Tower, a folly, which has just been moved inland due to coastal erosion for the second time. The tower was originally built in 1831 and moved for the first time 50 years later. Another 150 years and it has been moved again. Demolished and rebuilt brick by brick.