Thursday 26 June 2014

94.Bath Perimeter Walk (18.4 miles)

9.5

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Parking @ BA21RF

Highest score in 94 walks ,score only marked down because it was very warm!
Starting in Twerton Bath it starts with a severe uphill just to get warmed up with views out towards Bristol and some stunning countryside  the first high point is Roundhill with its panoramic views across Bath and the rest of this mammoth walk unfolds with all head in view.Heading on up Past my old school and on to Barrow Castle which was built in 1851.From here following Path behind Clarks Way Housing site,Site of Clarks Shoe Factory until 1999.On To St.Gregory School  and then to shepherds Walk a mostly tree lined path with the odd view into Midford.Once At Monkton Combe Pre School Across Busy Combe down road into Rainbow Woods from here Bath University and the fabulous Sham Castle More great Views of the Famous Georgian Bath with a nice Place to stop and take a breath.Carrying on To Bathampton Rock and Transmitter.Now the down hill starts with a cow trodden path divots everywhere !!.Once in Bathampton Village Cross Kennet And Avon Canal and keep going till toll Bridge Free to Pedestrians .footpath/cycleway should be Open just before tollbridge take this over bridge till Batheaston.Bit of Uphill to Solsbury Hill a climb but Worth the views at Top !At Trig point looking towards right is Woolly and Lords Wood and just Peeping over the top is Beckfords Tower this where we are heading but not after admiring  this Famous Hill,Peter Gabriel Song.And onward up to tower and a break at top .Stunning views into Bath and Weston here Also Home not far.carry on towards Racecourse and on to Cotswold Way Following on to Kelston Round hill.Then Kelston Roundhill Awaits With Views here of the Brecon Beacon and beyond.
All Downhill now With Dean hill Trig point on way Down .Carry on to the Newbridge at Newbridge Crossing and through small Tunnel and along the River Avon then Cross the Bristol to Bath Cycle Path Carefully tricky Path !! now Newton Brook runs under Main A4 we cross road and on up small and last hill to Carswood Railway tunnel a last stop and chat then through Carrs Wood a Beech wood and out on to Pennyquick Playing Fields and Home !



Wednesday 18 June 2014

93. Door to Tor ! (14 miles)

6.5/10

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Parking @ Glastonbury,Somerset BA6 9AE

Starting At Glastonbury  plenty of on street parking there. once parked head towards A39 and the Beckery Roundabout cross roundabout heading towards small industrial park turning right then left on to footpath ,make the most of this as there is 8.5 miles of road work ,quite roads but still foot pounding stuff ! once river Brue is crossed you enter Ham Wall RSPB nature reserve while walking through i spotted a Bittern in flight ,Cuckoo,Cetttis Warblers place alive with birdsong.Now road Heading towards Walton and onto hill ,notice  windmill  ,Waltons hill first record for Windmill was  1342.
Now more road ,through Street high st which seemed very busy,Glastonbury Festival is only 1 week away and close.After high st on to Thorn tree hill or Wearyall hill with great views over rural countryside and business Parks with benches a plenty ! Now finally onto Tor can be busy and worth the wander With stunning views over towards the Mendips and to Exmoor with all of the Somerset Level Spread out .Back ,more road to Rest !

Wildlife
Bittern,Cettis Warblers,Blackcap,Hobby,Buzzards,Hare,Cuckoo Calling and seen.






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Thursday 12 June 2014

92. Bristol Avon (13.7 miles)

7/10

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Parking @ BS31 2BN


Starting at Keynsham on the bypass bridge this walk starts well ,following the river Avon towards Bristol tranquil and very rural for first 6 miles with the odd passing train and jogger .With Grey herons 5 on one tree kingfishers and numerous small birds almost like the Amazon in Places then Bristol begins with traffic noise very apparent ! Passing into Bristol at  Netham Lock the walk get tricky with us unable to find Footpath along side of Netham Bridge and Weir but carried on  for 1.5 miles anyway and eventually entered Arnos Vale for Dinner,with great views over Bristol. From here there is some uninteresting  road work  until you reach the old Bristol and North Somerset Railway Line not alot left with houses being built everywhere ! Then Whitchurch appears with Horse World And a Lovely Valley at the back of  Keynsham return along road back to Bypass and end . 

Wildlife 
Grey Heron x5 Buzzard,Chiffchaff,Cornrant,Kingfisher.




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