First Walk

 

First Walk

We met at Saltford Brass Mill for a fascinating tour of the building and the working mill rediscovering why artists and poets were so inspred by the power of early machines. So close to the energy of nature the mill was breathing and pulsing with the water. No romanticising the hard work that went on here in what must have been appalling conditions, cold water under foot and the endless relentless pounding and tapping and clatter of the hammers. A truly ancient technology powering the beginnings of the industrial age. Looking forward to some great sounds from Ben.

Along the river, the tow path where once the barges were pulled up the river by horses and men. Now an idyllic river bank, decked with cow parsley the river marked out for fishing and boating. Stories of the Saltford Mile to be discovered. Then onto the old railway line. Reclaimed too for leisure. A cycle track now. The mainline across the field alive and whooshing with modern trains to London, Bristol and beyond.

Coming into Bath back on the tow path. A lock opens and the lazy water swirls in meeting its level, a barge continues up stream. We walk past the barely identifiable remains of Bath's industrial heritage. A bridge once connecting more brass mills and finally the slowly disappearing gasworks and the landscaped new ugliness.  Where once the cranes were made. Like coming in through the tradesmans entrance we surface briefly by the bus station disoriented the river almost out of site.

Along the Kennet and Avon Canal towpath through Sydney Gardens thinking of Venice to the Cleveland Pools. A sanctuary. Here to complete the cycle it rained. Perfectly.

So much more to tell.