The rain had stopped, but there were still some threatening clouds in the sky as we arrived at Lew Trenchard school. After the usual discussions about “what to wear” and putting on or taking of different items of clothing, we set off.
Across the old A30 and down the road we headed, then followed the Two Castles Trail, across a field and down a very sunken green lane to Lew Trenchard manor. Past the walled garden with its fine crop of leeks, then down the track past Quarry Farm. Opting for the footbridge rather than the ford, we crossed the river Lew then squelched our way across the water meadow and into Lew Wood. Taking the forest track, we climbed steadily up, before descending the other side of the hill to Coryton Barton. Taking the road to Coryton gave us great views of the Lew valley, and despite suggestions that it must be coffee time, we stuck to the leader’s grand plan and kept going to Coryton Church. After a look inside, we found a sunny spot in the church yard for a brew.
Suitably refreshed, we headed off down the road towards Coryton Mill, turning off just before the mill to take the track over Cory Hill. Some track, (well more of a canyon), deep with vertical sides, whether a natural feature, the result of erosion from horses and carts or some quarrying activity who knows. Over the hill, down to Cooper’s Cross then along the road to Eastcott. Into Eastcott Plantation and uperty up, up, up past Eastcott Beacon to the top of the hill, where we found an ideal spot for lunch.
Once “re-fuelled”, we headed across the Field to Lew Wood, and downhill to the retrace our tracks back across the River Lew, and up to Lew Trenchard. Stopping at the church to see the tombstones of Grace and Sabine Baring-Gould and the fine 1520 Rood Screen reconstructed by Baring-Gould at the end of the 19th century. Past the Lew Trenchard Manor Hotel, with the smell of fine cooking wafting up from the kitchen. Up the bridle way past Down House and Woodlands to the old A30, then past the sad spectre of “Jethro’s Club” and back to the cars. All the way round without a spot of rain!
Phil