Weir walking

I’ve been staying at Serenity Lodge since last week where I am house- and pet-sitting for a while. I am using the time to catch up on my PhD, but I’m also taking some time for my ankle’s rehabilitation work. And what better way to do that than a bit of weir walking?

The lodge overlooks a weir on the River Devon, and there is a fairly gentle portion of the Devon Way along the opposite side of the river. Last weekend, I managed to walk to the weir and then a bit further along the path. However, it had rained quite a bit in the days before so I turned back when the path got a bit too precarious for my weak ankle.

Today I went back out to see if I could make it to the old railway viaduct, which would just about double the distance I walked the first day. I kind of wanted to make it twice that far again, to the Vicar’s Bridge, but I knew that a 4-mile return journey on an uneven (and sometimes unstable) trail wouldn’t be good for my ankle’s recovery. Still, I was pleased that I managed today’s walk with relative ease.

My ankle is a little sore because of the unevenness of the path, but I think it should be OK by tomorrow. Which is a good thing, since I have a goal to walk to Castle Campbell and back. If I manage it, it will be about a 5-mile return journey (not counting the walking around the castle once I arrive). But I am hoping it will be a bit easier as most of the journey will be on paved roads. (Stay tuned tomorrow to see if I’m successful or not!)

Anyhow, I’m walking better these days. Or, rather, weir walking better these days. I know: weir so punny! And here are some pictures to prove it!