Author Archives: Martin

We spent a day wandering around Ellesmere and its nearby lakes (meres). I had assumed that a canal connects the town to the more famous Ellesmere Port, in Cheshire on the Mersey (a bit like Bruge and Zeebrugge in Belgium), … Continue reading →

This is a transitional stage between the hills and almost flat throughout. The Trail follows stretches of the Montgomeryshire Canal and the River Severn before reaching the town of Llanymynech where the Wales – England border is the main street! … Continue reading →

There is ample opportunity to see the Dyke itself as it is followed across fairly flat but very pleasant terrain for most of this section. The Dyke and Trail here are also still on the true national boundary – as … Continue reading →

A grey heron hitching a ride on the Kennet and Avon canal near Bradford-on-Avon.

This ‘switchback’ section is generally reckoned to be the toughest on the Trail as it rises and falls through the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. However the views and sense of tranquillity make the effort well worthwhile. This … Continue reading →

We were in the Devon South Hams for Sal’s birthday, an area we knew well ten or so years ago. Crab for lunch in Dartmouth, a walk on Slapton Ley and curry on the quay, later in Kingsbridge.

We had a day in North Somerset near Porlock on what was, so far, the hottest day of the year. Some walking, some sun-bathing and, later, some supper at the beach in Porlock Weir.

Wendy and Graham joined us for a couple of nights in Kington (see previous item) and, while we were there, we visited these slightly bizarre gardens. More at http://westonburymillwatergardens.com/.