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| Conical Water Tower. |
I started the day in Box, in Wiltshire, having been well looked after by my airbnb hosts. If you have been following my blog you will be aware that finding the right accommodation has sometimes been challenging and might include a bit of a detour. But this airbnb was pretty much right on the trail, out of the front door past two houses turn left and I was back on it. The rain that had been threatening for the last couple of days finally arrived and it was a bit of a soggy start to the day, but undeterred I set off to complete this 13 mile stretch.
After the relaxed walk yesterday, I had a bit of time pressure today, as I needed to arrive in Beckington, to allow time to get the bus to Frome for a 4:30 train back to London. I'd set off at 8:30 am, to allow for any set backs, but the walk took me the expected 6 hours, which left just enough time for a pint before catching the bus. It was planned and executed with the precision of a military exercise!
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| Rule Britannia |
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| What's it Guarding? |
During my walks I sometimes drop across what appear to be some unusual things in unusual places, I try and share as many as I can with you through my blogs, here are a three from today's walk; the first was a Britannia statue on a bridge next to Iford Manor - famous for its landscaped gardens designed by Harold Peto (no, I've never heard of him either). I'm sure there is a connection to Iford Manor but it's very grand for a bridge pretty much in the middle of nowhere. The second was a world war 2 pillbox close to the river Frome but just in the middle of a field close to a small village called Tellisford. There clearly must be some strategic importance but it wasn't obvious, if you know let me know! The third was a conical water tower at Farleigh Hungerford. Built on the 1800's by the Houlton family to provide piped water to the manor house and village. It remained in use until 1970 when mains water was provided.
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| Crossing the Aqueduct |
In my opinion there are two types of narrow boaters, the professionals and the weekenders. I have a friend with a narrow boat (Captain Neil) he's definitely in the professional camp with perfect observation of canal etiquette. When I've been on board for the boys weeks although we have our moments, (usually alcohol related) any issues are dealt with in a calm and efficient manor.
Now to be fair it is quite a tight manoeuvre to get on to the aqueduct and you have to make sure no one is accessing from the other side as only one boat can cross in either direction at anyone time. Captain Neil would have had all this calmly planned out, which is why the boat attempting to get onto the aqueduct was clearly manned by weekenders! The guy was at the front of the boat bellowing out instructions to his partner who was navigating the boat, they weren't doing too bad until their dog decided to jump in the canal and chaos ensued. They did eventually recover and cross the aqueduct. I just wish I had a bit more time to stay and watch other weekenders attempting to cross and god bless that dog, his timing was the perfect for the entertainment factor.
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| Door to nowhere! |
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| The Cowshed Station |
I made it to Frome station in good time - Frome station is not quite what I expected. There is none of the usual hubbub of taxis, buses and cars dashing in to drop people off and pick people up. It is as though a railway line just happens to run through a painted cow shed next to Frome and they decided to call it a station - I must be in Somerset.
The end of a great weekend of walking, 50 'official' miles completed and definitely on the homeward stretch now. I made it back to Peterborough where the back up team were waiting to take me home, with a cheery welcome of 'blimey you do stink' and some comment about getting straight in the bath - now that's the best suggestion I've heard in a good few days!
PS thank you to the Quarrymans Arms in Box, who donated to Macmillan Cancer Support through my Just Giving Page. The additional walk was worth the effort!
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