By train to Westonzoyland. 36

With Nempnett Thrubwell ticked off the bucket list, number 2 is Westonzoyland, a small village south of Weston and east of Bridgwater.  Taking into account he weather and the wind direction, plumped for a train ride to Bridgwater and cycle back over (mainly) the Levels.  There is more to see in this village than Nempnett.  The site of the last battle on English soil, the 1685 Battle of Sedgemore, a disused airfield and a pub!  There is also a small museum of land drainage but never saw any of these today.  Need to get back there.



Cycled down to Weston Station and caught the 11.22 to Taunton. (It was spot on time.) there were four coaches with hardly anyone on them.  Just me and another chap in our carriage. There was no lift at Bridgwater so had to 'leave by the back entrance' and it took a bit of time to get my bearings.  The choice was to carry the bike over the footbridge but bowed out of that one.



With the aid of my trusty OS map, found my way to the A38 south and left it where it goes over the River Parret.  A turn left there took me onto a nice pathway along the river somewhat spoilt by the extensive industrial estates on the left hand side of the path.  The below picture is where the M5 crosses over the river.  A short time after this got back onto the country lanes leading to the Levels.



About a mile and a half along the A372 came to the outskirts of Westonzoyland and its 'This is who we are' village sign.  diverted off the main road and skirted the village but need to go back and check it out properly.  I did catch glimpses of the disused airfield to the east of the place. The name of the parish derives from its location on the "island" of Sowy, an area of slightly higher ground on the Somerset Levels between the River Cary and the River Parret. The parish of Westernzoyland was created in 1515 when the parish of Sowy was divided. Westonzoyland refers to the western-most settlement on Sowy.^[The parish of Westonzoyland was part of the Whitley Hundred.

A few miles further on, turned off the Levels and climbed about 280' to get to Shapwick.  Entering the village I saw. this tableau promoting British Farming.  Approaching it from a distance it looked very realistic, even the dead pig.

Last but not lease, an arty farty shot of a teasel going to seed. Unfortunately the bumble bee sat on the top of it cleared off, 0.03 of a second before I clicked the camera.

Enjoyed that today, the fare of £4.50 was well worth it and clocked up 36 miles on the day.