Devizes

May 1 - 4 2018

On the waterfront

As a result of our long trip down under from end January to mid March, followed by building work at home, this year's motorcaravanning season has only just started. But it was a good start. Our friends Barbara and Clive had been visiting family in Wiltshire so it was agreed we would meet up at the Caravan and Camping Club site at Devizes. But before getting to the site we spent an enjoyable afternoon at Lacock Abbey (NT) which is only 7 miles from the site

 Rain was forecast for the next day so we travelled into Devizes by bus - the stop is only 5 minutes walk from the site and buses run approximately every hour. Once there we had a wander and found a pleasant park high above the town and a medieval trail.

We didn't manage to find everything as the Tourist Office could not provide a map. The rain held off and after lunch we strolled back to the campsite beside the Kennett and Avon Canal, passing the impressive Caen Hill flight of locks.  

This was very pleasant and took about an hour and a quarter, rather longer than the nine minute bus journey.

Good weather on Thursday enabled us to get the bikes off the back of the 'van and cycle along the canal in the opposite direction. There is a conveniently located pub, The Somerset Arms, at Semington, which is open all day and provided a pit stop. 

Our destination was Bradford upon Avon where we enjoyed a picnic lunch in the sunshine and Ruth, in benevolent mood, signed up as a friend of the Canals and Waterways Trust, which is doing a wonderful job to restore and maintain the canals for the benefit of both humans and wildlife.

Despite the tired limbs there was 9 miles to cycle back, stopping off once again at The Somerset Arms. As if we had not had enough exercise for one day, in the evening we walked along the canal to The Barge Inn (about 30 minutes) where there is a friendly atmosphere, outside seating by the canal and delicious, reasonably priced food.  All in all, an excellent short break, but I think we now need a rest!