Martin's Mag.

The greenhouse is coming up trumps again…

Caen Hill Locks are a flight of 29 locks on the Kennet and Avon Canal, between Rowde and Devizes in Wiltshire. A miracle of early 19th century engineering. There are some pictures of the locks from an earlier visit here https://martinsmag.com/2014/10/12/the-k-and-a/. Volunteers from the Canal and River Trust have been creating a new woodland area near the locks.

On our way back from Tewkesbury we detoured to Lydney Marina, on the Severn estuary. Although it’s only a 45 minute drive from home, neither of us could remember being there before. It’s another one of those slightly bonkers places, like Uphill or The Camargue.

A short visit to this historic town where the river Avon meets the river Severn.

The 1901 Spritsail Barge, Gladys, returns from Portishead to Gloucester, via the Sharpness Canal, after sea trials following an upgrade.

I never imagined that Severn Beach in South Gloucestershire was at the forefront of environmental activism, but someone has made birds out of ordinary plastic milk bottles to highlight the fact that a high proportion of birds have plastic in their digestive system. Not sure what type of bird these are, maybe a white tern or an egret? Or perhaps a dove, the symbol of peace. That would make sense.

After the flush of Spring flowers, we are left with fewer, but still spectacular, blooms, as we move into proper Summer.

A few very hot days in South Wales, camping at Bank Farm. Too hot to do much so spent most of the time on the beach near Burry Holme island, even some swimming. Famous for saltmarshes which give the lamb farmed a distinctive taste. Sally bought some from the farm by the 14th century Weobley Castle (one of the benefits of having a fridge in the van).

Lucy had a lovely walk, she says, along the banks of The Severn around the loop near Arlingham, west of Frampton.

We spent a few days in Eastnor, between Ledbury and the Malvern Hills in Herefordshire. The park is about 300 acres and an AONB, popular with walkers, wildlife watchers and campers. A big attraction for us (and the various people who recommended it to us) was its relaxed attitude to rules and organisation. Also, views of the impressive Eastnor (mock) Castle, built in the early nineteenth century.

As well as the park itself, we walked up to the Eastnor Obelisk and to the Iron Age British Camp hill fort, and into the pretty town of Ledbury.