If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
TR Devizes and the Kennet and Avon
A bit of "intensive tourism" fairly close to home.
We passed through Devizes avoiding the traffic jams of the Easter break last year, thought it looked interesting enough for a visit, having both Wadworth's brewery and the Kennet and Avon canal. The Bear Hotel (why so many "Bears" round there?) was the obvious front runner to stay at and proved to be excellent. The menus are quite conservative but very well executed. (this is true "Middle England" country) Beer is of course from Wadworths, 6X, Henry's and Summersault. The "full english" included kidney and all the food is sourced in Wiltshire where possible. Alternative eating is at two italians, two indians (one looked innovative - "curried carp balls") and of course the many and various pubs. Thankfully there isn't too much to do, there is a small museum and in the afternoon you can visit the dray horses that deliver the (wooden casked) beer in the mornings. Other than that its walk up the canal or walk down the canal. Bear "http://www.lawn-mower-man.co.uk/devizes1467.htm" Saturday We walked down Caen Hill towards Bath first. This is the biggest lift on the canal system, 29 locks take narrow boats up the 130 foot hill in 29 locks, (this section of the 18C canal was the last to be brought back into use in about 1990 IIRC).Its a daunting task if you don't have a big crew. If the water is against you that's 116 paddles (to open with a windlass) and the same number of gates to open and close and sometimes they are quite hard to budge and you have to "put your back into it". It takes 3 to 5 hours. Flight "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk/devizes1459.htm" Sunday Next day it was towards the Thames and part of the thankfully long lock free stretch following Caen Hill to "The Bridge". An immaculately run traditional canal side pub. I had a lamb suet pudding, the sort of food that takes a year off your life if not walking, cycling or working a boat. Carol had a fish and seafood crumble, topped with piniones (pine nuts) for a change. Bridge Inn "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk/devizes1461.htm" Monday After at least a month without rain, what happens on a bank holiday? Indeed, rain :-( But what's a bit of rain, Devizes was able to muster a nice little selection of vintage cars, a climbing wall, roundabout, live steam model trains and a Punch and Judy show "that's the way to do it". And of course the Devizes brass band and Morris side. all very english and tells you more about this England than ticking off Tower Bridge and Stonehenge ever will. -- Mike Reid Devizes "http://www.lawn-mower-man.co.uk/devizes.htm" |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Bradford on Avon... | Sniper | Europe | 5 | August 29th, 2006 10:15 PM |
Complete Shakespeare at Stratford-upon-Avon | Wiener Sänger | Europe | 4 | April 10th, 2006 12:12 PM |