A couple of weeks before the quick stroll I stretched my legs and walked eleven miles. It was a grey day but it wasn’t cold and no rain forecast; perfect for exploring more of the Avon Valley. My walk began on the northern banks of the River Avon, and whilst the grey made everything very dark at times there was still beauty to be found.
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I was still in Wiltshire, but walking through the Avon Valley you really feel like you are in the middle of the Cotswolds rather than on the edges.
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It was now time to cross the river and explore its southern banks, and rather unusually for a walk I used an aqueduct to cross! The aqueduct was of course holding up the Kennet & Avon canal, and I have taken you there a few times before. This time, for the first time, I was going to explore another waterway that also transverses this point.
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The Somerset Coal Canal is much narrower and shorter than the Kennet & Avon, and is only suitable for the canal boats that are 7ft or less in width, ie the boats known as narrow boats. Coal mining began in this area in the 1760s and they soon realised they needed more effective transportation to get the coal out to customers in the county and further afield.
In 1794 an Act of Parliament was passed to enable the canal to be built, and by 1798 the first section had been completed and by 1805 the canal was fully open to both passenger and coal traffic. These days only a tiny section is navigable by boat, and even walkers have to divert in places including me. I left the canal behind after only a few minutes as I had a figure of 8 walk in my head and needed to head back towards Bradford-on-Avon.
Initially the path was easy to follow, but then it became a bit more challenging. Not only very narrow and uneven but also incredibly steep. I found myself sliding backwards even in hiking boots. Apparently the path on the right is a bridleway?!
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Finally and after a few hairy moments I managed to make my way to the top of the path. I made a mental note never to attempt it the other way round nor after a very wet spell. A few minutes later I had to risk life and limb again to cross an ‘A’ road, but then the calmness returned as the next village had come up with a brilliant idea to keep pedestrians safe.
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The day was still very grey, and whilst perfect for hiking I was struggling to find colour for the camera. I felt it deserved it as this was the first time I had taken the camera on a proper adventure since Robert died. I was also aware my ability to cope with poor light was limited. The skills will return but on this walk I struggled and the cutting room floor is littered with photographs.
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Now a few of you maybe wondering where the Avon is, given my title. Well it wasn’t until I was approaching the cross-over that I found myself actually on the river bank. It was still grey here and also plenty of green.
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I think by this time I must have been getting hungry as I stopped taking photographs, and just walked. The tea place was a few of miles ahead but it wasn’t long before I was sitting down with a delicious slice of cake. I took a few mouthfuls before I remembered to take a photograph for Jo. I think she might have a cake rule for her Monday walks!
Now refreshed it was time to complete my figure of eight walk, and return to my rental in Bradford-on-Avon. I took the river path not that I took any photographs of the river on this section. I was too distracted by all the flora and fauna! There was hint of blue in the sky too, amazing what a difference it makes.
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As I came into Bradford there was choice about which way I exactly went to return to my accommodation and looking at the photographs I recall I went for the illogical (given my final destination) but traffic free route. A chance to show off one of my favourite ancient paths and also two of Bradford’s three bridges.
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Fabulous walk and photos Becky. I am so glad the giggles happened in the face of danger.
A well-deserved piece of cake too 😋
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So am I, not sure what I would have done if I had done the opposite! And cake is always deserved isn’t it?!!
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Better than crying at a dilemma. Always room for cake 😋
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exactly 😀
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Far out! 11 miles is a huge trek. You did well and certainly deserved cake as a reward for all your effort.
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Thanks, I really enjoyed this one and the cake definitely felt like a reward. It is an amazing tea room beside the canal at Avoncliff.
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Sounds like a lovely walk and interesting facts about canals. Glad the cake was on hand x
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glad you enjoyed, and I was so pleased about the cake too!
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Splendid walk Becky. 11 miles is a good distance. These days I rarely go over that myself. And a bit of mud is surely par for the course in England, though too much is not so enjoyable.
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Amazingly it didn’t feel like 11, feel more like 7. Guess I was so busy concentrating on the ups and downs, I forgot I was also going forward!
Don’t let Margaret hear you on the mud, it has been a year where we have gone far far beyond ‘mud, mud, glorious mud’ 😉
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I know a thing or two about mud. When I was a kid, I was fetching the cows in for milking when I lost a wellington boot in the mud!
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oooh that is never a good move, I’ve only done it once and I still remember the panic!
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You’ve been on a beautiful walk Becky! I love the green scenery, flowers and buildings that you showed.
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oh thank you. I did enjoy it so much. Must write up the one I did the other way – no hills on that one, but lots of greenery and art.
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That would be great 👍🏻
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Whoopee! I glance in the Reader for a few minutes this morning and what do I find? A big lump of cake and a lovely walk. Thanks so much, Becky! Homeward bound today after a great week, culminating in a ride on a giant mechanical elephant. Wonders will never cease! Have a great weekend 🤗🩷
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yay you found the cake, but all I am going to think about for the new few days is you on a mechanical elephant. Really hope someone got a photo!!
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😁💙 I’m sure it’ll be on the blog, eventually!
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Great square and figure eight journey. Marvelous photos.
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oh thank you so much 🙂
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I so enjoyed coming along on this walk with you, Becky. The countryside looks so gorgeous it’s easy to understand time (and distance) getting away from you and how delightful to be surrounded by all of this. I’m wondering what it looks like in winter – just as picturesque I suppose 🥰
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So glad you enjoyed this, and yes in winter still very pretty, although also incredibly muddy!
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I forgot about the presence of wet earth 🤣
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hee hee, something we rarely can forget!
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A lovely walk Becky, though the steep part looked hairy! We stopped off at the Caen Hill locks on the Kennet and Avon canal last week. Only a short walk as my foot is still sore.
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sorry your foot is still not fully healed, that isn’t good.
and yes was so hairy. For a few moments I was scared, but then I got the giggles!
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Too much walking on it last week, caused swelling again. I’m resting it a lot this week.
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oh dear! You know what your mother would say to, and what you would be saying to your grandchildren!!
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My daughter already ticked me off! Says I should have got it x-rayed in case something was broken. I’m pretty sure it’s just torn ligaments and yes, I shouldn’t walk much on it so it can heal fully.
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hee hee love it when the roles reverse. She might be right you know!
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What a lovely walk – canals and rivers are the best. Well, maybe apart from the sea! And your cake rivals anything Jo has shown us so I’m sure you’ll get Brownie points for remembering to include that.
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it was such an amazing cake, and there was so much choice too. I agree with you though that sea is best!
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But as we don’t live on the coast, rivers and canals are definitely the next best thing!
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excellent point!
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Well, the cutting room floor may be littered with photographs but you certainly managed to take plenty that should never find themselves in that lowly spot! Despite the weather you’ve managed to show off the English countryside at its best, with beautiful shades of green, pretty flowers and that lovely golden stone! And well done on completing the walk – 11 miles would definitely be well beyond me these days!
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awww thanks, I was pleased with what I did have but definitely have to return on a sunny day to try again with those on the cutting room floor!
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I look forward to seeing them!
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Weel done! Interesting post!
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thank you 🙂 so glad you enjoyed it
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What an interesting walk. It is why I love to visit in Europe, and I so want to visit the Cotswolds and London. It has been 27 years since I visited London. Thank you for allowing us to accompany you, and I am thankdul that you manged safely. Yes, blue sky and sun make a lot of differnce to our moods. Lovely pictures.
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Thank you so much, and yes the Cotswolds are a beautiful part of the country. Hopefully you will make another visit one day
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Oh my I would’ve loved to walk with you with this kind of scenery. You have everything to see here and the greens are so fresh. And I agree, the place looks like the Cotswolds. The cake is definitely a plus factor 👍
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It is a beautiful part of the country, and so quiet too. Apart from crossing the A road hardly heard or saw a car.
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Lucky you!
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Goodness, what a long walk, but it IS beautiful.
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It didn’t feel that long when I did it, I think all the view stops and cake made it feel just like a stroll!
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What a marvellous walk, Becky! So much to see, canals, boats, bridges, beautiful coloured stone, flora and fauna…. Envy
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It was wonderful, and we can always get you on the towpath sections 😀
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Wow!
Quite an amazing walk, Becky. Thank you for taking us along 🙂
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So glad you joined me 🙂
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What an amazing walk you did with such wonderful views at times.
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It really is, loved it. Will have to do it with A&P, and I have a shorter version lined up for you that also does not have the awful climbs!!
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what a lovely walk Becky. Despite the weather!
and your words took me with you perfectly.
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awww thanks Debbie. I really enjoyed this one, although I have to say that narrow bridleway had me panicking for a few seconds when I began going backwards. The walking sticks are in storage, so won’t be trying this again until they are out!
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I was going to suggest walking poles, they are very useful for ups and downs!
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I agree – if only mine weren’t in storage!
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Becky, I’m so impressed. After a more than muddy winter, I seem to have lost my walking mojo. Partly because I know all my local walks so well, and I can’t justify leaping in the car and burning up the miles to go somewhere more interesting. I really got to enjoy solitary walking during Lockdown, and my two most likely walking companions are currently unavailable. So I really need to get my act together. You have so much lovely country to explore, if this is a sample!
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I am so fortunate here as there are so many circular walking options, I can always create variations. Maybe you should visit sooner rather than later so I can help you get your walking mojo back
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Well, let’s see. I’m hoping the -slowly – improving weather will help. And I certainly walked a lot in Spain, if only on the daily round. But it’s an appetising offer!
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