A canal fix

Having taken the week off and planned to spend some time with Martin during his rest days from work, unfortunately the rest days turned into work days, so yesterday I decided to go for a cycle ride, the longest cycle ride I've made for quite a number of years! 28 miles.

The route took me along the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal, the weather was lovely and soon I arrived at Standards Lock looking lovely in the sunshine and the picnic tables would have been tempting if it was anywhere near lunchtime.

Standards Lock No 5 Bridgwater & Taunton Canal

The views along the way were really lovely

A view along the way - Pill Box to the right of centre

The canal is still lined with Pill Boxes.  During the Second World War the line of the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal, the Chard Canal and the River Axe became a major defence line in the South West of the County to restrict Hitler’s movement to strategic docks should he invade.  All the iron bridges, which were melted down for the war effort, were removed and replaced with wooden structures that could be destroyed quickly.  Pill Boxes and Tank Traps, which can still be seen in place on the canal, were built along the whole length of the defence line. The British Transport Commission took control of the canal in 1947 and in 1962 the canal became the responsibility of British Waterways. The canal became one of the first canals to commercially carry water when Wessex Water needed more capacity during the summer months in Durleigh Reservoir.

On the way home I travelled under the M5 again and took a little delight in seeing the gridlock above, it was still gridlock when I cycled under the M5 near Bridgwater.  Nobody was walking, cycling or fishing on my return trip, peace and quiet and birdsong were the order of the day, and the rain stayed away till I'd made a cuppa at home.



Gridlock on the M5 near Taunton