Bridge

Went blackberry picking with the neighbours and some of the street's kids. As well as blackberries galore, we discovered an old blackthorne tree, covered with lichen, abundent with so many sloe berries, we couldn't resist. Sloe gin for Christmas, anyone?

We walked the old green lane from Dodbrooke (Kingsbridge), over styles, steep inclines and declines, through fields and narrow lanes, past some allotments and the church where my mother and grandparents rest, again to West Charleton.

Once upon a time this would have been a main route, but it was mostly abandoned when a new bridge was built at the mouth of Bowcombe creek in the 1800s, vastly shortening the travelling time from Charleton to Kingsbridge. The picture is of an ancient bridge over Bowcombe Creek, later a bigger bridge was built further upstream, and finally the "New Bridge" downstream, which carries the current main road.

Must have walked about 3 miles minimum, called for assistance of a lift at St Mary's Church as it was getting late and kids were exhausted. Finally home to pizza and chips.