Good to be beside the sea in Bude on a sunny morning and an opportunity to look at some local history. Initially we followed the Bude Canal, then across the muddy fields to the coast path just north of Widemouth Bay. Returning to Bude on the coast path. The Bude canal was opened in 1823 to move lime enriched sand from Bude beach to the fields in North Cornwall. Unusual in it construction because inclined planes were used rather than locks to go uphill. The boats were pulled up railway type tracks using powerful winches before going back into the canal at the higher level. The canal was 35 miles long with 6 inclined planes. A picnic with spectacular views beside the coast path. Back in Bude on the headland above the beach we could see Bude Tower, a folly, which has just been moved inland due to coastal erosion for the second time. The tower was originally built in 1831 and moved for the first time 50 years later. Another 150 years and it has been moved again. Demolished and rebuilt brick by brick.
Michael