Sunday 9th Sept

The Northern Branch Of The Somerset Coal Canal 
Organised by Maggie Dyson and led by  Adrian

Update Directions on how to get to the start at Combe Hay:

Do not attempt to drive through the centre of Bath.  Follow directions towards Midsomer Norton & A367

From Bath, take the A367 out of Bath towards Radstock/Midsomer Norton.

After climbing a long dual carriageway, the road levels out and, after half a mile, reaches the Odd Down Park+Ride roundabout.
Take the first exit off that roundabout (before the P+R entrance) followed almost immediately by a right turn into Combe Hay Lane.

After about a mile of narrow winding downhill lane, there is an angled cross roads with a thatched cottage and a section of brick railway bridge parapet on the left. Take the left turn and look for somewhere safe to park on the LHS

Weather forecast is good for Sunday on BBC weather on line
 

Sunday 9th Sept						Pressure
Sunrise 06:33 (BST) Sunset 19:42 (BST)		21c	2	Sun Index	Polution	1027mb

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A Short walk  along the historic course of the northern branch of the Somerset Coal Canal  Our guide  is a  member of the heritage group  who are currently restoring the canal. Much of the walk goes  across private land which is not normally possible for the general public

Meet at 10:30  in Combe Hay near the thatched cottage end of "The Avenue",
west of the church.  Maggie will provide instructions  on how to get to the start. 

The walk

THE LOCK FLIGHT
I hope to obtain permission to take the walk through private property to
see parts of the lock flight and other features not normally accessible
to the public.  I will bring hand-outs to explain the complex industrial
archaeology of the site.

After visiting locks 1 to 16 of the flight, we walk along the lane to
Midford.

LUNCH
The Hope and Anchor pub at Midford does meals and salads, but not filled
rolls or sandwiches.  They are going to send me the menu.

TUCKING MILL
After lunch we walk along the road to join the canal at Tucking Mill.
Then we make our way back to Midford along the overgrown tow path.  I
will see if there is any chance of visiting the site of the Weigh-House,
which is now a private garden.

MIDFORD
Midford had two streams, two railways, a canal and a main road, all in
one tiny village.  The SCC aqueduct has recently been rebuilt and has
some interesting surrounding structures.  We then make our way back along
the canal to Combe Hay, passing the sites of Locks 22 to 17 on the way.

COMBE HAY
We return through the village, passing the sites of the underground adit,
the bottom of the inclined plane and the visible remains of the second
caisson site.
 

For more information contact Maggie Dyson on 01666837358.

If you are running late on the day  call Maggie on her mobile 07971912134

Adrian, our guide,  suffers  badly from a perfume  allergy and makes the following plea

"I am perfume-allergic.  Even in the open air, any residue from cosmetics,
deodorants, after-shave, hand creams, soaps, shampoo or shower gel will
make my life miserable.  Please don't use any on the day of the walk."

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