SEDGWICK

THE MAGIC CANAL -

 NOW YOU SEE IT - NOW YOU DON'T

7.6 Miles

Walkers :- Vic, Anthony, John W, Danny, Paddy.

We parked near to the canal bridge in the very pretty village of Sedgwick... but there was NO canal ???.

The day was grey and dismal with a damp feel to it even though it wasn't raining.  The emerging autumnal colours , however, lent it some brightness.

We plodded uphill along a surprisingly busy country lane before taking to the fields to follow a footpath.

In the first field were a number of cows with calves and as we approached they became quite agitated and the bolder ones almost challenging. We decided, in view of recent history, (people actually killed by cows) it would be wise to turn back and seek a different route.

As we left the field we found a hammer and left it for the farmer to discover on his next visit to the field.

A further tramp along the lane until we came to the next marked footpath which would have us back on track. By now the dampness in the atmosphere had increased to a fine drizzle. It was coffee time so we found a sheltered spot.

Over our first stile of the day and back into open (and wet) fields.

Half way along this field was an overgrown stile (which we missed). On returning to it we found it quite difficult. It was a "Squeeze" type stile with a "Step Up" stile combined. Once over this we continued till a bridge took us over the river. A gentleman we had passed warned us this bridge was "Dangerous" it certainly didn't look it.

As we stepped off the bridge, however , we found that the steps were steep and slippery and there was a substantial drop on either side with no handrail. To cap it all the exit was through yet another overgrown kissing gate.

Briefly on the road again before leaving it to go up hill and down dale over some delightful but wet and muddy countryside.

These fields did contain a few cows and we warily skirted round them but as they did not have calves with them they totally ignored us. Once past the fields our way continued through a more generous kissing gate and onto a muddy lane ... WITH COWS !!

On the left Meanderthals.......................................................On the right a cow.

                                             In the middle......... MUD.

Cows were not the only residents of this area . Soon after we came across a forlorn looking pony that appeared to have been ridden by someone rather heavy.

Shortly after the lane took a right turn and John W was ridiculously pleased to see a NEW signpost. (most are old and often rotten).

Anthony had told us we would be lunching at the canal. Danny who had forged ahead was already munching his when the rest of us arrived. Tis was not, however the lunch spot Anthony had planned. Danny declared he would carry on with his lunch and catch us up when he had finished. So we set off along the canal leaving Danny perched (I thought precariously) on the bridge,

Peering under the bridge Anthony could see that the way was barred. Notices told us the towpath was closed. On approaching the workmen,however, they told us..

 "Yes. The path is definitely closed but you can go along it if you wish."

The young lady in the picture was highly amused that we should wish to take her photograph in her bright orange outfit.

We followed the canal for another half a mile or so.....

"Move quietly. I'll get a photo of that Heron,"  FOOLED !  It was plastic

Then we found the lunchtime spot Anthony had planned complete with picnic bench.

Looking back we saw that the path we had just come along was closed and we could not use it.  😄

...and we were at the very end of the canal.........

.......... but no. Turning round to face the other way. Look.. the canal starts off again.

'ello...Someone appears to have a dress code malfunction...

and not all the bridges were without problems.

I'm kidding of course this a photo of a poster about previous works on the canal.

Lunch over and off we go again now following the "OTHER" canal.

We don't often have a "Spot the Difference" quiz on our blog so can you spot what has changed ?

It wasn't long before the second canal also came to an end.

Here's Danny pointing out the SECOND ending of the canal.

But what's this ? A few hundred metres further and we come across a canal tunnel . WILL THIS CANAL NEVER END ???

This bit was quite fascinating though. There was no towpath through the tunnel so the boats had to be hauled through by the boatmen. The horses had their own tunnel. Here it is.

Once through the horse tunnel the canal ended .....Or did it ? Our path now took us elsewhere.

..... down a narrow deeply cut ditch/dyke ? over which there was an unusually sturdy little footbridge joining the fields on either side. Over the path at one point was a crab apple tree. Crab apples littered the floor.

Some apples were still on the tree

I wonder what this tree was trying to say to Paddy ?

Good heavens. Can you believe it ? The canal is here again. It's the other end of the tunnel.

Will this canal never end ?

Ah well.  If you remember we parked near a canal bridge at the very start of our walk so it must at one time have gone at least that far...... and so it does but not as a recognisable waterway. It was now a wooded valley, And a rather interesting woodland it was too. Full of little friends placed there by ....who knows.

A musical box that actually worked

A preaching gnome "Just like John W"..... Who said that ?

Back on the road again we pass a flock of sheep . Can you spot the "naughty one" ?

Well it might not be naughty but legend has it........

It was still a drizzly day but who needs sunshine with Autumn colours like this ?

Then we saw Sedgewick Hall (house) on the horizon so the end of our walk was near.

 One more short distance along the defunct canal and there below us we saw our cars.

This lady had nothing to do with our walk but was happy to chat to us and as mums are so important we took her photograph. With her permission of course.

A really fascinating walk . Well done Anthony.  

THE END

JW

p.s   Your writer apologises for the substandard quality of some of the photos . He thinks the dampness of the day sometimes "fogged" the camera lens.