Ford to Batheaston – Tuesday 28 November 2017
The usual
09:42 departure from Didcot was surprisingly busy heading towards Chippenham so
we didn’t really meet until stepping out onto the platform. P had aired doubts
about the legality of getting off before our destination but as there are no
ticket barriers at Chippenham that really wasn’t a problem. We arrived a few
minutes late because the proceeding bi-mode was late, but take heart the
current Minister for Transport assures us it is new trains that we want and not
fast ones that are on time. Hey Ho!
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| By Brook river, near Weavern Farm |
We took a
taxi to Ford on the A420. Chippenham was looking a bit dreary and down at mouth
as we passed early morning shoppers. Surely too early for Christmas though the
radio channel in the taxi was playing a variety of seasonal tunes. A had picked
the front seat again. Being the youngest, N was in the back.
The weather
looked promising, there had been quite a bit of rain in the proceeding days but
the sun was coming out and while it was cold the sun was warm on our faces when
we found it.
The route out
of Ford followed a busy road to Colerne and then turned across a field to head
down to the By Brook River (followed last time). [Editor’s note: the name of
this river is spelt on the OS map as “By Brook” and in the guide book as “Bybrook”.
We will keep to the former]. We were to follow this river / stream all the way
to its confluence with the Avon at Batheaston.
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| Slaughterford cottages |
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| St Nicolas church, Slaughterford |
The first
village was Slaughterford, Grid Ref ST8396 7400, A small church and interesting
cottages. According to the guide book St Nicholas's church had been greatly
damaged by Cromwell's troops on their way to Ireland (following the coaching
route that is now the A420?) and wasn't rebuilt until the late Victorian era.
We carried on in good spirits and followed a quiet lane southwards though woods
slowly climbing the valley side. The metalled lane gave way to a track known as
Weavern Lane. The guide book mentioned that this path could be “often muddy”
and so it was. Our progress was slowed and T & P were grateful for their
sticks to keep a steady balance as we skirted puddles and slid from side to
side.
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| Weavern farm |
A brief stop
for “elevenses” and then down another muddy track to cross the By Brook near
the ruins of Weavern Farm, (ST8402 7183). The disused buildings seemed to be used
as cattle barns. It was surprising to see such a place consigned to barn duties
as most buildings around here would be snapped up for up-market renovations.
Perhaps this site was just too far from the utilities and a decent access road.
We crossed
the By Brook (see picture above), which was growing in size and climbed up a gentle slope to pass
through a new kissing gate to follow wet pasture fields towards Widdenham Farm,
(ST8348 7081).
At each field gate we had to negotiate a quagmire of mud caused
by concentrated cattle movements. Each time we had to repeat a cleaning of the
boots only to become clagged up at the next gate or stile.
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| Mailbox recycling, Widdenham |
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| New kissing gate |
By the time
we had reached Saltbox farm we had had enough of the poached land and mud so
opted for the lane towards Middlehill.
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| Heading for lunch |
The lads were getting restive, it was
13:30 and a lunch break was called for. We found a convenient gate to learn on
(ST8245 6951) and stopped for our snacks and watched a Kestrel patrolling the
field margin.
After our
break we dropped down the slope and rejoined the path at Box Mill and passed
under the main railway line just after it emerged from the (famous) Box Tunnel.
This is where
we said goodbye to the Macmillan Way proper and turned westwards towards Bath.
The path followed the route parallel to the, the A4 and the railway across yet
more soggy fields.
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| Shockerwick House |
There was an
attractive large house at Shockerwick,
(ST8049 6861), we guessed it was Georgian and speculated who it belonged to.
Signs later on indicated that it was a Bupa care home. Investigations on
Wikipedia later confirmed that it was Georgian.
We were now
in Somerset though it wasn't clear where the county boundary had been. Not far
now, a short walk along Shockerwick Lane and then we followed a path down to
the main A4. The bus stop (ST7865 6714) was just up the road towards the
roundabout.
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| Skyline wires |
Just as we
sighted the bus stop a bus came up behind us. Luckily a friendly bus driver
slowed down and waited for us the canter down the road to the bus stop. There
was no time to pass round the hip-flask of sloe gin, perhaps next time. A short
ride into Bath and we got off just round the corner from Bath Spa station. We
popped into the Café au Lait, opposite the station for a glass of wine/beer. A
friendly enough establishment though the wine wasn't much cop.
Caught the 16:13
back towards London. Yet again a very crowded train. We had to change at Swindon
but the following train from Wales was quite empty (must be something about
Bristol after all).
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| By Brook valley |
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