Today we would walk southwest to Sampford Peverell. Andrew is still with us and we are joined by Harpal for the next two days. Mark finished his stint as our driver today.
We left Stawell early as today (they all are this week) was going to be a long one. The Church of St Francis (see yesterdays last photo) dates from the 13th century and has been designated by English Heritage as a Grade II* listed building. The raised stone “Coffin Walk” alongside part of Ford Lane next to the church is thought to be one of only three Coffin Walks left in the country. It is believed to have originally stretched from the old Roman Road above the village, partly following a still existing Public Footpath.
The forecast of rain all day didn’t look so accurate at the outset as we walked towards Bridgewater through the village of Chedzoy.
We rambled up plenty of hills and through some lovely villages that all have huge churches, going past Durleigh Resevoir and enjoying the quiet roads and the very nice weather.
Through the village of Bishops Lydeard and into Halse for lunch – the name of the village derives from the Old English heals meaning a neck of land. The village was full of nice thatched houses and the road in to the village is so twisty that no HGV could make it round any of the corners.
Passing yet more villages with large churches we eventually joined the footpath of the eastern end of the Grand Western Canal. A lovely walk along this path was much improved when we met Chris who bought freshly baked scones, jam and clotted cream. Of course there were the usual Cornwall/Devon discussions re jam or cream first – but either way the scones were delicious.
At the end of a long day we finally reached our B&B and said goodbye to Andrew (Mark had left at lunch time) – again huge thanks for the company and support, it really is appreciated.
Tomorrow we “only” have 5 more walking days to go (and a rest day!) as we head to Okehampton