#Cothelstone Hill

[thefollyflaneuse]

Cothelstone Tower, Somerset

Cothelstone was an ancient seat of the Stawel family. In the second half of the 18th century it was the property of Mary Stawel (1726-1780), the sole surviving direct descendant. In recognition of her ancient lineage, George III made her a baroness in her own right in 1760, with the title to pass to her sons from her first marriage to Henry Bilson Legge, Earl of Dartmouth. After the death of her…

[rambunctious-viking-blog]

Nice little break in the woods with the bro @red_duke13 #camping #camp #bivi #basher #beardedguys #beardedmen #beardstruggle #tattoosleeve #tattoo #tattedup #tattedguys #vikingtattoo #viking #woods #gingerbeard #nature #wildlife #tattedknuckles (at Cothelstone Hill Somerset) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3XkTgHAprU/?igshid=14w0lwvwjwm9p

[themamil]

Ride Across Britain - Day 2

It was a very chilly 7am start this morning in Okehampton for the start of Day 2 that would see us ride to Bath via Tiverton, Brampton, Bridgewater and Paulton.

David and I managed to get away in the 3rd wave which was great but I managed to drop my chain almost immediately. One of the photographer kindly helped me get it reseated and then I had to chase David down who hadn’t realised I had stopped. It was then I realised how fresh I felt.

The first stage of the day was a broadly rolling downhill stage with wide open countryside views which created some stunning scenic views.

The first pitstop was at Bampton and was about 37miles into the 110 mile ride. I saw this church a little way before and felt I had to snap it.

With the pitstop done we had the first serious climb of the day which was Cothelstone. Ever since Bathatch on the Tour of the Hills Audax, that’s been my comparative baseline and I have to say Cothelstone may have taken the crown. It was a very sharp climb and longer then Barhatch at about 3k but I was very pleased with the way I climbed it and was rewarded with some stunning views.

Then it was through Bridgewater (a place that clearly has no time for cyclists and a place I would dearly love to never have to pass through again) and on to pitstop 2 at East Hantspill. There we had the change to refuel before taking on the most beautiful and very challenging Cheddar Gorge. I’ve heard a lot about this climb before and it did not disappoint.

Again I was very pleased with the way I climbed the Gorge and felt really fresh. David and I had by this time got into a group of about 8-10 who were being led by a Threshold Chaperone and it meant we rolled at a really nice pace and had lots of good conversations with different members of the group.

We regrouped at the top of the Gorge and then there was about 15 miles of rolling terrain to get us to Bath. I actually found it pretty easy riding and I was expecting a lot worse.

Upon arrival at Bath Uni we were given our room keys (YAY) and individual rooms that were a sight for sore eyes.

This was luxury!

Day 2 has been a great day that surpassed Day 1 for sheer beauty of the countryside, the climbs and the general cycling environment (with the exception of Bridgwater) and I’m really getting into this fabulous adventure. I think the fact that the nerves have subsided too means that we are able to enjoy things a lot more too.

This evening I also received some photos from the sportsgraf service and some of the shots are great.

Day 2 done. 7 to go. Tomorrow it Bath to Ludlow and “only” 100.9 miles.

[daenerysvan]

From Eden to the Tricksy Trippets - Day 9

First stop this morning was to revisit the Eden Project. These biomes are truly incredible. I especially like the description of the rainforest one that says it is the largest chunk of natural rainforest in captivity. I had last visited here about 5 years ago and it hadn't really changed aside from one significant difference. Back then, if you were hungry, you would go and help yourself to whatever food and drink you wanted - this would be dotted around the halls. You would then go to any till and tell them what you had had, and pay accordingly for it. I really liked this honesty system. Unfortunately, this is now no more. That said, the food is just as delicious and wholesome as it always was.

There were a lot of visitors to the Project and I started feeling a bit overwhelmed and wanted to escape back into the countryside again. I pored over my maps and looked again at the alternative way to get to the Bodmin Moor Trippet and Fernacre stone circles, that I had attempted to get to a few days earlier. This time, i made it to the Trippets, just in time for the rain to commence! 

It was then I saw her... the true Beast of Bodmin Moor...still looking good in the rain!

Anyway, I knew getting to Fernacre involved a round trip walk of 3 miles and decided that it just wasn't going to happen in this weather. So i finally got to the Trippets but Fernacre was a double fail.

Deciding to break up my journey home. I now headed some distance up towards Taunton to find St Agnes Well at a little place called Cothelstone. This is a delightful little conical topped well house that has been lovingly restored and cleaned up with the help of some lottery funding.

I spent my last night up at Lydeard Hill overlooking the Quantock Hills.

[nixwilliams]

Looking Back by Graham Shaw Via Flickr: The light was so different today, although an hour later it was raining.

[waving-madly]

Slime mould - Badhamia utricularis by Steve Balcombe on Flickr.

[daughteroftheeast]

Gate 2 by Big G1948 on Flickr.

Via Flickr: I live down there in the bluish area. This is just one of a number of locations where the dogs and I walk #13 in Explore by 14 Oct Thanks every one for viewing and making such encouraging comments

[fallentes-blog]

Gate 2 by Big G1948 on Flickr.

[rosa-luna]

Gate 2 by Big G1948 on Flickr.