Thursday 12 January 2017

163.Urban Bristol to Dundry

       6.5/10

Parking @ Bristol BS14 0TG



Today we headed to Bristol or Whitchurch for a very Urban walk for 2/3rd of it, then Dundry hills with commanding views over Bristol and out towards the Severn crossing and Wales.

First Picture as most of the average housing not really picture worthy ! 
This shows The Malago and after leaving the noisy and very busy A4174 it's a welcome refuge. The Malago is named from the river or  tributary of the River Avon, the river starts on Dundry hill which we see later in walk.


After leaving it's more urban with nothing to photograph streets, until we cross the busy A38. The view here shows Ashton Court estate in distance and the new South Bristol Link road SBL.


With Blue skies Ahead and some beautiful views its was all looking great. The Road cost 45 million pounds to make. Works out more than 10 million pound per mile as the new road is 4.5 miles long !


Looking to the Right before we descend towards road, views into Bristol with Ashton Gate, Bristol Uwe and the distinctive Coloured houses, Clifton Wood.


O'yeah and Brunel's masterpiece the Clifton Suspension Bridge.


After finding the route again, was very muddy and difficult to follow footpath under and along side new road but eventually after a few fields we cross the A38 and entry more muddy fields with view of Dundry hill ahead.


Starting to rise and a view of Barrow Tanks Reservoirs providing water for Bristol.


Once at summit a Cairn standing at 676 ft although hill is 732 ft, commands some stunning views.


After a brief stop at St. Michael's at Dundry, Churchyard Bench with some interupted views, A good place for dinner. We head on along towards second Trigpoint of the day, first one was at Dundry top and hard to find ! 
We come to this Great snapshot. It shows of course Clifton Suspension Bridge and the Severn Crossing it's actually 8.3 miles between bridges as the crows flies. 


Heres a zoomed out version, as you can see stunning !


Dundry being very close to Bristol Airport Planes on final approach here.


Next East hill Trigpoint. What a thoughtful farmer eh !
 I crawled under fench to touch trig. Not the prettiest but trig number 78 !


Me on Trig with Withywood and Bishopsworth behind.


After some excellent navigation skills from Andy, Getting a bit off track we bumble onto the source of the Malago which ends up in Bristols docks. It length is 5 miles long


Brunels bridge dominates landscape and looks good from many angles.


See !


Hartcliffe Flats not so inspiring. Bit more urban and we return from where we started.

Scored a 6.5/10 because bit too urban and some very very muddy paths but views from Dundry well worth it !


Thats all for this week, join me again next week  :)

Sunday 8 January 2017

162. Cadbury - Dolebury Hill


7/10

Parking @ Wrington BS40 5LN



Another hole filled on my maps, this one starting in Wrington nr Bristol a taking in Cadbury Hill the across the lowlands to Dolebury Warren. Total walk is 10.7 miles.
The first picture is half way up Cadbury hill.


After a wander ! Through the woodlands where signage was hard to follow even with gps and no view or fort at top of hill or none we could find we come down off the hill to the River Yeo.


At this point a collie dog starts to follow us.


After around a quarter of a mile the dog leaves us to find our own way, it seemed that the dog was escorting us off his land !


A fairly non photographic walk at this point but a field of Lamas always brightens up the day.


Soon we come to The climb, a steep climb, up through woods to Dolebury Warren.
Worth the climb for sure with great views out across to Bristol channel and Crook Peak in this one.


My new prop ! With Crook peak in background.


Mmmm..


A great stop for dinner here with stunning views of where we've walked and what was left to walk. Landford below and ahead the Mountains of Wales.


Could spend all day up here the sun was trying to come out lighting up different points on are vista's.
Brean Down in distance.


Still misty but The valley and peaks of Wales looking inviting .


After a pleasant stroll along the top of the Warren we descend to where 
Mendip Lodge Estate used to be not much left now, was demolished in 1950's and built in the 1800's but used to boast 11 bedrooms and must of had some stunning views.


Leaving the hill behind and arriving into Burrington the sun comes out ! But lights up Cadbury hill ahead. it looks much better from here !


Walking across fields back towards Wrington flocks of Starlings in picture with Many fieldfare and Redwings fill the skies , A great Sight !


Dolebury Warren in background with the Sheep looking bemused. 
soon back to Wrington a fairly nice walk the second part with Dolebury being the highlight .


Thats all for this week, join me again next week  :)