Devizes

 

As the light faded last night, we watched the sky turn pink. We walked across into the grounds of the Yeo Valley H.Q. where we could see the sun setting over Cardiff bay.

The patchwork of fields that lay behind Blagdon lake merged in to one as darkness fell and up in the sky behind Marge a half moon sat in a milky white light. We have overnighted in Marge in many places, both in England and Europe and this spot was right up there.

The view this morning still stunning. A metallic blue sky over a landscape of dappled light. Shadows casting over land and water. Our fellow vanlifers began to surface, one giving John cause to complain. Multiple car door slamming by a young lady sleeping in a car, unacceptable. Tai Chi, look at me. Leave that woman alone. Each to their own. We wanted to leave early keen to drive through Cheddar Gorge before the throngs of visitors arrived. As we left, we could see the three young German men from the van next to us sat silently on a bench taking in the view. There were no words.

We drove through Cheddar Gorge slowly, taking care as around every bend there were cyclists, walkers, sheep and even a pair of men's underpants in the road.  Where the owner was, who knows. Parking Marge up by some rock climbers we decided to walk a little way through the gorge as it would be easier to take photographs and for Angela to take in the view which is difficult when she has to concentrate on the road ahead, looking out for men's underwear etc! 

The gorge was impressive, and a doddle for Marge to drive through. After all she'd negotiated the overhangs of the Verdon Gorge in south eastern France. 

Next stop Wells. England's smallest city. Busy, busy Marge, where will we park you? Quick, nip into that Tesco car park. We walked to the Anglican cathedral, described as England's most poetic cathedral. It was beautiful, showcased in the lunchtime sunshine. We bought pasties for lunch from the nearby market and sat in the shade of the trees in front of the bishop's palace to eat them. Before returning to Marge, we returned to the market to buy a piece of vintage cheddar from The Apple Tree farm shop stall.

Our time in Welles had been short, but long enough, there were just too many visitors. We bought ice creams from Tesco before setting off, now a little drowsy from too much saturated fat and sugar. Our destination South Cadbury, a stop by a farm just near to the A303. We parked Marge in the shade of trees that moved silently in the breeze. It was hot, very hot. After an hour and a half rest we decided the stop was too boring and decided to move. Four years ago next week Angela's mother passed away, and she wanted to visit her parents grave to lay flowers, so rather than drive up to Andover from Poole we decided to divert across country to Devizes where we knew there was a nice overnight stop by the canal, and from where we could drive to the cemetery on our return journey home tomorrow. We know Marge, we're impulsive. We drove pass fields of golden wheat waiting not waning in the heat of the afternoon. In fields where the wheat had already been cut bales balanced on each other precariously. The scene, that of summer in the British countryside. Idyllic. 

Devizes welcomed us with noise and music. A wedding reception was taking place at the nearby wharf theatre. having not consumed enough of the wrong calories today we walked into town to buy yet another Chinese take away. Well, it is the last night of our trip.

Tisbury, Waldour Castle.

Despite a beautiful evening yesterday the wind whipped up the canal finding its way under tarpaulin covers and into open windows. Our park up for the night was perfect. Alongside the canal with the police station behind us. Little chance of boy racers coming in during the night, (which they did not).

The morning began gently. The canal side waking up to a few dog walkers, narrowboats stopping to pump out their waste and a handful of kayakers who slipped by virtually unnoticed. We were in no need to leave Devizes too early, so walked into the nearby town to visit the Sunday market in the shambles market hall.

 The market hall is ear marked for change by the local council, who want to turn it into a food market to appeal to younger people. We'll watch and wait to see what is decided on its future.

Lunch bought we decided to walk along the tow path to the Caen locks. A flight of twenty-nine locks which take five to six hours to pass through. As we sat at a picnic table near one of the locks, we thought we might like to cycle alongside the Kennet and Avon canal. A ride of eighty-seven miles between Reading and Bristol. We calculated we'd need four or five days taking it nice and slowly, camping along the way. Another trip to try and accommodate this year. 

Just before four o' clock, a little too late to be setting off really, we fired up Marge, pleased we'd had the opportunity to empty our toilet at the boat facilities. Our drive took us across Salisbury Plain to the large and pretty village of Tisbury.

Then onto a narrow, no, very narrow road with worryingly, just a couple of passing places to tonight's stop. The car park at Wardour Castle.

Wow! That was worth the drive wasn't it, Marge? Wardour castle as a location in Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves dates back to the fourteenth century, It sits beside a pretty fishing lake adorned with pink and yellow water lilies.

The backdrop to the castle, tall trees of oak and fir which stretch skyward towards a vibrant blue summer sky. What a beautiful English setting. Looks like it might be just us here tonight, Marge? Hope the castle ruins aren't haunted.

Devizes

The parking area at Penn Woods was busy this morning with dog walkers and walkers. Stretching exercises using your Nordic walking poles, a new one for to us. But the group we watched seemed to enjoy it before click clacking across the loose gravel to return to their vehicles.

John was up early, venturing into the woods returning with his bounty. A large bag of oyster mushrooms. The park up in the woods seemed a good spot to take a shower in Marge. Why does someone always park next to me when you do this? Perverts! Enough of that Marge. But we agree. Look at all the space available they could have chosen. 

Today we needed to travel to Chippenham in Wiltshire.

Before leaving we both walked a little way through the woods so it was twelve noon before we eventually left. Vanhaus Customs was our destination where we discussed a new paint job for Marge. Just need to set a date for the work to be carried out now Marge.

We needed an overnight stop. Devizes was not too far away and after some testing hills we found a nice spot behind the police station alongside the Kennet and Avon canal. 

Despite a little rain along the way the evening was beautiful. We walked into town for a drink, too tired to explore too far. But before we leave tomorrow we will take more of a look around the area. 

Where we will stay tomorrow, who knows? We must make our way home in the next couple of days though, jobs to do, relatives to host. Life is an adventure, and as soon as we can we'll be off somewhere again.