Thursday, 30 December 2010

South Brent - Shipley Bridge 30th December 2010

A 6 mile walk today with Dave, Teresa, Lewis, Rebecca and Bob.  Robert Hesketh 's walk exploring the Avon Valley between South Brent and Shipley Bridge would have been spectacular if the fog had lifted!  However, the views along the river, and the snow drifts on the paths between Corringdon Ball and Ball Gate were amazing.

Start of the walk

Lydia Bridge

Notice on bridge

on Lydia Bridge

Misty

There appeared some strangers

A very large horse passed this way!

Ball Gate

Shipley Bridge

Shipley Bridge

Avon Valley
Can you see Bob??

Bob was too fat to fit under the stile, so Dave had to lift him over.

Bob's laughing as he's managed to transfer some fox's poo onto Dave's coat!!

Downhill path

St Petroc's Church
The walk was very well signposted so although we couldn't see much due to the fog, we couldn't get lost.
Took us 3 hours altogether.

Monday, 27 December 2010

Somerset - West Bagborough Monday 27th December 2010

Snow is thawing today, but hills still covered with it.  A walk up onto the Quantocks with Rich, Kat, Dave, Teresa and Bob.  A false start as the roads were impassible. So we had to park in West Bagbrough and make our way to the hills.  The planned walk was quite ambitious so we just did 5 miles.  The going was quite tough.  

The road was impassible!


The Rising Sun in West Bagborough was a good starting point.

We had to walk up a long lane to get to Lydeard Hill, which was very icy



Bagborough House with its own church



View back towards Taunton

The path was quite hard going as, although the snow was powdery, it had started to thaw




ON the top of the hill, looking towards Bristol Channel

Bob has noticed the sheep!


Hinkley Point with its power station can be seen in the middle distance and the Bristol Channel


The thaw started making the path a stream.  Kat's boots are not water proof!  Wil's path became Wil's waterway!  We decided to abandon the route and walk back the way we came. If we had followed the walk, we would have walked the hills above from right to left and even from here, you can see it is quite a distance



In need of a drink!!  The Rising Sun beckons...





Sunday, 26 December 2010

Boxing Day - Staplehay to Pitminster

A circular walk around the fields to Pitminster and back to Staplehay.  The snow still lies on the ground and is powder soft.  Val, John, Rich, Kat, Bec, Dave and Teresa plus Honey and Bob slide along the road towards the first stile into a field







Heading for the bridge over the M5

He's behind you!!!

The walk was 5 km , very flat walk compared to those in Devon.
Bob barking encouragement!!



Walking back from Pitminster

Bec's best friend

Friday, 24 December 2010

Taunton - East Deane Way Friday 24th December 2010

Christmas Eve - in Taunton with inlaws.  had to get out for a walk!   Bob and Dave went for walk watched over by snowman

Why is he looking so pleased with himself?!!  


snow, snow and more snow
why won't you play with me??????


motorway bridge (m5)in background. which way dad??
confused looking dog

summer house in winter

reached the manor house
Quantocks in the background

Route was 5 miles so an average walk.

At last, a decent meal!!! ( had to cook it myself!!)