After the train journey from Gloucester to Newport, we caught the bus from the bus station in the centre of Newport to St Stephens Church, a short walk away from the Newport transporter bridge. The transporter bridge is one of only six operational transporter bridges left in the world. The bridge opened in 1906 and is basically a suspended ferry. A high level boom that allows ships to pass underneath is suspended from towers at each end. The boom carries a rail track on which a moving carriage or 'traveller' runs. A gondola or platform is suspended from the carriage and can be pulled from one side of the river Usk to the other by means of a hauling cable. For more information see the website: -
www.newport.gov.uk/heritage/index.cfm/TransporterBridge.
It was the transporter bridge that Julie and I spotted across the waterlogged fields when we walked from Newport to Cardiff earlier in the year in March (walk 15).
The sign on the left shows the bridge in all is glory!
The gondola working it's way towards us.
Julie and I happily seated on the gondola, looking forwards to the short journey over the river to the start of our walk.
On reaching the far side of the river, we walked a short while through an industrialised area along side the waters of Cold Harbour Reach.
Sculpture of bull rushes in the area of the Newport Wetland Nature Reserve.
We walked past the diminutive East Usk lighthouse in the grounds of the Newport Wetlands Nature Reserve. It dates from 1893 and stands guard at the eastern entrance to the River Usk in the Severn Estuary.
After walking along side Goldcliff Pill, we discovered The Farmers Arms in the village of Goldcliff. A perfect opportunity for brief refreshment.
The sea wall looking away from Goldcliff Point and the last section of todays walk.
A wooden groyne (a man-made sea defence) just before Porton House.
Another groyne. From this point we continued to walk along the banks of the River Severn, until we reached a footpath leading to Redwick and our overnight stay.
After a good nights sleep and a delicious breakfast, we started day 2 of our walk by walking out of Sidmouth along the Esplanade towards Salcombe Hill Cliff.
After a steep assent up Salcombe Hill Cliff through fields of buttercups, we were met with the reward of this glorious of Sidmouth nestled below the cliff and way beyond.
After our steep assent, we were met with a equally steep and somewhat treacherous descent down to Salcombe Mouth Beach.
Sidmouth in the distance peeking out from behind Dunscombe Cliff.
Looking back to Branscombe Mouth and The Sea Shanty Cafe, where we enjoyed refreshing tea and delicious cake!
Walking towards Beer.
The Lovely roof tops of Beer.
Leaving Beer behind and onward to our final destination Seaton.
The very quirky pedalabout roundabout in Seaton! A partnership between Seaton Town Council and Axe Valley Pedallers Cycle Club.
We started day one of our two day walk, on the Esplanade at Exmouth by the clock tower built in 1897 to commemorate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee.
Looking west up the beach to where the River Exe enters the English Channel, with Dawlish Warren in the distance
.
The Orcombe Point Geoneedle (look its got arms). The Geoneedle marks the western end of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. It was unveiled by His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, in 2002, at the inauguration of the World Heritage Site. The sculpture was designed and built by Michael Fairfax. The Geoneedle is constructed from a variety of different stones, representing the major building stones to be found on the Jurassic Coast and the sequence of rocks that form this part of the coastline.
The panoramic view over Sandy Bay from the South Beach Cafe (part of the Devon Cliffs Holiday Park). The day was so gloriously warm, we felt compelled to sit awhile with a chilled libation!
Our drinks finished, we left the holiday park behind and walked towards the dramatic cliffs called The Floors. The buildings of Budleigh Salterton can just be seen in the distance.
The dramatic Floors Cliff.
The dramatic Floors Cliff - the place of many significant landslides. The cliffs are 250 million years old.
Looking back from the highest point of Floors Cliff towards Exmouth in the distance.
Our ascent into Budleigh Salterton.
Looking through the trees to the Otter Estuary Nature Reserve.
Looking back towards Budleigh Salterton, with the Otter Estuary Nature Reserve in the foreground.
Looking towards Ladram Bay Caravan Park.
Some of the stunning flora growing on the edge of the cliffs.
Big and Little Picket Rock from High Peak.
Looking towards Sidmouth and in the very far distance can just be seen the white cliffs of Beer Head.
With the end of our first days walk in sight, we ascended into Sidmouth.
Julie enjoying a well-earned cup of tea at our bed and breakfast The Cheriton Guest House, which we would very much recommend! See their website:
http://www.cheriton-guesthouse.co.uk/
At the start of this walk picked up from where we left off on 20th June 2012, when we walked from Oldbury to Portishead Marina. Today after an uncomplicated drive from Gloucester, we started our walk in the Marina itself. Whilst still a working marina, in has in recent years been heavily modernised. The area now boasts modern flats and apartments, as well as shops, bars and restaurants.
The photograph on the left shows a dramatic piece of modern sculpture called the Flying Sculpture, made of stainless steel, was a joint project by artist Lucy Glendinning and and Persimmon Home. The sculpture attempts to demonstrate the impression of freedom and the power the sea gives.
Information about the marina and its industrial heritage.
The moorings of the marina with modern accommodation behind.
On our way through the marina we spotted this lovely sculpture of a rather furtive looking rat! It was hiding between the bars of a car park belonging to nearby accommodation.
More sculpture en-route through the marina, the photograph left called the Angel Islington Sculpture.
During our walk we spotted many of these beautiful iridescent green beetles called Mint Beetles.
Walking on the banks of the River Severn just outside Portishead.
A famous local landmark, The Portishead Black Nore Lighthouse, has helped sailors navigate the Bristol Channel at Portishead for over 100 years. The lighthouse situated by Nore Farm, was installed in 1894, prior to which shipwrecks were common in the area. The lighthouse was decommissioned in September 2010, when Trinity House decided it was no longer needed. On hearing the news The Friends of Black Nore Lighthouse created a trust and raised money to purchase the land and lighthouse from Trinity House. The handover took place in October 2012.
Looking towards the Bristol Channel.
Redcliff Bay became popular between the wars as a place for holiday and retirement homes.
A flying insect on flowering gorse.
The very elegant pier at Clevedon. The only intact Grade 1 listed pier in country, completed in February 1869, at the grand cost of £10,000.
The pier has a website which give lots of additional information : -
www.clevedonpier.com
Looking towards Clevedon from the pier.
Walking along the pier.
At the end of our walk, we stopped for a savoury cream tea (cheese scones, cream cheese and chutney) at Tiffin Tea House (www.tiffinteahouse.co.uk). Julie was clearly very excited at the prospect (sorry Julie) :-).
