On a recent adventure with William, the group made their way over the border to Gloucestershire to view the Severn Bore, a natural occurrence when a large wave makes its way up the Severn Estuary where the tidal range is the second highest in the world. The highest bores occur in spring and autumn close to the new or full moon and it can take as long as two and a half hours for the bore to reach Gloucester at the top of the estuary.
Having left Cogan at 7am the group arrived early at Westbury on Severn parking near the National Trust Westbury Court Garden which was originally laid out between 1696 and 1705 and is one of the only surviving Dutch water gardens in Britain. It was created by Maynard Colchester I, with thousands of yew trees and holly bushes being planted to created hedges and topiary along with tulips, iris, crocus and fruit trees, whilst the canals were stocked with fish for the table and a warren was created to supply rabbits for meat. Having fallen into disrepair the gardens were saved by the local council and the National Trust in 1967 and restored to the way they would have appeared in 1720.
The group of fifteen excited walkers set out through the churchyard of the impressive St Mary, St Peter and St Paul Church where the oldest parts of the church that still remain, the north porch and the aisle were erected in 1290.
The separate bell tower is the most prominent as it reaches a height of 153-feet and was originally used as a defensive tower against raids by the Welsh. In the 14th century the unusual wooden spire was added and it is covered with over 35,000-wooden shingles and after it was damaged in storms in the 17th century, it was repaired with wood from cider casks.
The bore was timed to reach Newnham just downstream from Westbury at 9.19am so there was plenty of time for the group to enjoy the short walk through fields and along a lane to Garden Cliff where they climbed to the top of a field looking downstream towards Newnham. The arrival time of the bore is not an exact science and it can be fifteen minutes earlier than thought – or fifteen minutes later, so settling down for what could be a considerable wait the time was utilised for refreshments.
The group watched as surfers and canoeists were already gathering and entering the water of the Severn in anticipation of catching and riding the bore as far as they could upstream towards Gloucester and below them, they spotted a little egret who seemed totally unfazed by the situation.
As time went on a pretty young female black and white cat came into the field seemingly wondering what all the fuss was about and why so many people were sitting about. After having a good look at everyone and assessing her escape route she rushed past at speed and disappeared under the fence.
Before the gathering bore was sighted nearing the bend at Newnham, there was a strange silence as the birds stopped singing almost in anticipation of what was about to happen. Then a low roar as the tidal wave rounded the bend gently washing up against the banks to surge past the viewpoint, with a surfer trying to keep his balance whilst standing and many canoeists riding on top as it journeyed upstream towards the next bend at the quaintly named village of Upper Framilode.
Once the bore passes the incoming tide races to catch it up and the river level rises very quickly which can cause difficulties for those surfers left behind who need to make their way to the river bank very quickly to avoid being swept away. Within only a short time the incoming tide had completely covered the sand banks that had been visible in the centre of the river and the stray would be riders of the bore who had missed their chance had removed themselves to safety.
After the event, it was time to begin their walk and the group tramped through a field of growing maize and upstream along grassy banks before pausing a little further on to chat to the very pleasant pilot of a microlite who was filming the bore from the air but had taken time out before continuing to monitor its journey.
Keen eyes spotted a pair of peregrine falcons, one of which was flying around and who had built a massive nest high up in a riverside pylon carrying electricity cable across the river Severn.
As the river continued its flooded journey upstream the riverside path led on through gates passing Moys Hill, Court Farm and Hill Farms. There were a number of herds of young boisterous inquisitive beef cattle to be negotiated as they freely wandered and grazed in fields on the river bank, and much further on a hare was disturbed and quickly ran for cover vanishing down a hole as they approached.
On their journey along the river bank they passed trees laden with mistletoe, ripening apples, pears and damsons and waved thanks to a farmer who paused turning the cut grass so they could safely pass, before stopping for lunch whilst overlooking the river.
By this time the flow of the water had returned to normal and as they watched a water skier being towed along behind a motor boat took a tumble into the water just in front of them, whilst an abandoned orchard nearby supplied a number of the group with juicy ripe plums for the journey ahead.
Leaving the river and heading inland past Bays Court, Crowgate Farm and Ninnage Lodge, they passed the Windwhistle Warren Rabbit and Guinea Pig Rescue Centre, a self-funded rehoming and caring institution set up in a private dwelling in Crowgate Lane before carefully crossed the very busy A48 at Craxhill village.
Following a track up towards houses they deviated along a lane and entered fields with glorious views of the surrounding English countryside.
Then below Hunt Hill, a crop of wild mushrooms was discovered in a field and the group spent a little time picking the huge field mushrooms and button mushrooms managing to fill number of carrier bags full to the brim!
Following a quiet country lane passing White House Farm and a beautiful walnut tree they crossed a footbridge into fields, before a path through tall maize led them across a wooden bridge near Brook Farm where the meadow led on to a small clear trout stream.
After what had been a delightful day, the group tramped along beside the river with the tall wooden bell tower spire of the Church of St Mary, St Peter and St Paul dominating the skyline. Then crossing the river bridge a narrow path between houses led back to Westbury, where some members decided to visit the famous National Trust water gardens before the homeward journey.
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