Walking the Cotswolds Canal Link

Start

Wow! What a walk so much to see, and tell you about Thank you all for your support it has been brilliant. Firstly, sorry for the delay, in reporting back about the CanAmble. Immediately after the walk I had family commitments that included a family funeral. Oh! and damage to a back! Hence, the delay. If you have not read the previous blog post on the CanAmble you can find it here. Just to remind, the Cotswold Canal Link is the Stroudwater Navigation and the Thames & Severn Canal which when restored will once more link the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal to the River Thames.

Arrival

On arriving at Walbridge in stroud on the 1^st of May. Walk day, there was a festival atmosphere at the start. After a short history lesson, on how the Cotswold Canals Trust came into being.  Incidentally it is 50 years old this year. It was sort of a happy accident, by Michael Ayland in 1972. While talking to a friend, who happened to be a journalist. About how incensed he felt, at the filling in of the now defunct canal. The Bristol Evening Post journalist decided it would make a good story. All of a sudden Michael was inundated with support and offers of money. The Stroudwater canal society held its first meeting to formalize its goals on 12^th May 1972. Only later becoming the Cotswold Canals Trust.

There were all sorts of ages taking part including youth groups such as the scouts and guides. Connie was pleased to see she was not the only dog there.  A grand ribbon cutting followed allowing the crowd to slowly feed onto the towpath, and away.

Arched Warehouse

The first section of the walk, the water was well stocked and the locks on good order. First place of interest a the railway viaduct (built in 1868 for The Great Western Railway) crossing the A419 as well as the canal on the edge of Stroud. Right next to the Dyeworks of Capel’s Mill, which is longer in existence, The Capel family home was demolished in 1964 to make way for a bus depot (oh! the evolution of transport!) now Waitrose!! However, one of the viaducts arches encompasses an old warehouse that belonged to the Capel Mill Complex.

Here the Canal, now the Thames and Severn, when the A419 was built destroyed the original course, has now been rebuilt to go through a different arch leading onto a lovely section of parkland compete with mooring bollards just waiting for boaters to come and moor in idyllic surroundings next to Waitrose, and the town center a short walk away.

‘Right nice Pint’

Further out of town. The Stroud Brewery has a Taproom onsite, which backs onto the towpath. When, eventually one could arrive via boat, instead of car! It will be waiting to give a “right nice pint” as one boating youtuber would put it! (Mark form ‘Well Deck Diaries’)

A little way down the track, the next major obstacle to be overcome a small trading estate has been built over the canal, although the towpath still exists reduced to a narrow walkway. Unfortunately the canal bed does not. The locks for the rest of the walk are in need dire restoration. Needing approximately £300.000 each to restore their former glory.

The towpath continues along the canal, sandwiching itself between the railway and road with the river Frome ever present. For trainspotters, at times they can get some amazing views of passing trains, while those who enjoy tranquillity are taken care of, via the river Frome rippling its way to the Severn and out to sea.

Walking through a Port

The CCT book shop at Hope Mill offered refreshments enroute, and a chance for me to have a short rest enjoy a welcome cup of tea, away from Connie’s relentless pace setting. On we go, seeing the sites including the inner halls of the Brimscombe Port Building and out the other side. Brimscombe Port is a former inland port dating back to the 1780s. the safest way we could traverse through the buildings hallways. Just another obstacle as we wind on our way. The Felt Café, had live music in the garden playing specially for us. It was packed, as one would expect, on such a day and although I would very much liked to have stopped to enjoy the scene, Connie felt it was a bit much and wanted to carry on.

Opersiton

The lovely Chalford is about halfway, canal side scenery is spectacularly beautiful, with canal bank cottage gardens butting up against an overgrown canal home to all sorts of wildlife. Here the walkers met resistance to the CCT’s plan to regenerate the canal back to its former self. Many of the locals are opposed to the CCT’s plans, would like it to stay as it is now. Posted on trees for the rest of the walk, photos of the wildlife that resides around and about. A few residents handed out leaflets, holding placards. With no direct confrontation, it was all very pleasant and cordial. I can really understand why they would wish to keep things as they are. Here the canal looks beautiful and vibrant as it is now.

Chalford is full of old mills, that are now home to artists, galleries and potters. The Lavender Bakehouse, half tea rooms, half gallery. Looked like a great place to stop for a bit. Connie once more just kept going, she was really on a mission.

Nearly there

Continuing on, the Locks become overgrown, almost indistinguishable as locks. Woodlands abound with bluebells and wild garlic. It’s a beautiful landscape. With pleasant conversation, the second half of the walk-through stunning countryside, time flew by. Soon at our destination. The Daneway Inn who’s carpark on top of the old canal course. The Frome is still just a short way away running along the bottom of the Inn’s field where picnic benches reside. There, packed lunches for those that booked. Connie and I brought our own (Cheese sandwiches and pork pies). Once we had eaten we walked the short distance down to Sapperton Tunnel entrance, a coroneted entrance way. It is probably the fanciest tunnel entrances I have ever seen.

The Tunnel

The tunnel is 3.5 miles long. Unfortunately it has seen claps in some areas and unnavigable. It will cost a heck of a lot to restore! But would give Hardcastle Tunnel a run for its money, when and if it is restored. Not only that. If one could use the whole route again. Which is the eventual aim. In my humble opinion, from the section We walked, if the rest of the way on the other side of the tunnel is as spectacular! The Cotswold canals link will give the Peak Forest Canal a run for its money!

Connie’s Fist Bus Ride

The Day ended with Connie’s first ride on a bus. A free bus had been laid in for the walkers to get back to Stroud. The Company’s kind donation of a bus and driver were greatly appreciated. The walk would not have as successful, without their generosity. Connie had not been on a bus before. I was interested in how she would react. To my surprise she marched straight on, right to the back, smartly hopping onto the middle seat in the back row and sat there!!! On hearing my intake of breath in surprise and shock, she slid off onto the floor wedging herself between the back row, when the engine started directly under where she sat!  A short ride through the rolling Cotswold countryside we were back in stroud.

A big Thank You

I have to say it was a fantastic walk the volunteers along the route showing us the way across roads under tight bridges, through industrial estates and the like. They were all amazing, cheerful, no one got lost and I understand only one minor mishap a twisted ankle. The event was so well-organized making everyone who took part feel safe, leaving us to really enjoy the day. Thank you all.

Connie and I would like to take the opportunity to thank all the fantastic people who’s kind generosity, without whom Connie and I would not have raised £123

Thank you.