Pylon hunt 17: Bedford, 2nd September 2023
| Destination | Bedford, Biddenham |
|---|---|
| Goals | Watshams |
| Distance | 14.5 miles (total on foot) |
| Walk number | 172 |
This was another weekend of industrial action on the railways but, undeterred, I paid Bedford and Biddenham regardless, while the weather was good. This walk also served the purpose of gathering sample photos for the review of my new camera with comparison shots taken on the old camera and on an old iPhone 6.
The goal was primarily a short line of Watshams (“PL7”) towers that runs between Austin Cannon substation and Cut Throat Lane switching station, on opposite sides of the River Great Ouse. I devised a circular route that passed through the charming village of Biddenham, which I had visited once before on a sunny February day in 2022. The weather this time was a mixture of sunshine and clouds.
On my first visit to Bedford I met a familiar face at the station; when I said where I was going, she told me that Bedford was lovely. Although I enjoyed discovering Biddenham on that walk, I didn’t really understand what she meant until I took this walk.
Starting out in Bedford, to take some better photos of the pylons just east of Biddenham:
With this done, time to begin the journey proper, starting with a brief passage through Biddenham. Sadly there was not time to explore Biddenham more fully, which will have to wait for another day.
At this point I trusted some “helpful” information board instead of my own sketched-out map and went something like 90° in the wrong direction; this area is all very pretty though, and in spite of this lengthy blunder I still made it back to Bedford station in good time.
The power line crosses the River Great Ouse by way of two DD60 towers (60° double circuit, double earthwire). I discovered this in February 2023, a year after I first visited Bedford (although I previously returned for pylon hunt 4). The weather at the time was dreary and I had no camera with me. My original intention was to return just for these two towers, but I realised that I could also cover more of the line. I still had to return later (pylon hunt 22) to photograph the D10.
With all the pylons done, all that was left was to return to the station, along the river. I wish I’d had more time on this walk, as there was plenty that I didn’t get to visit or photograph, including much of the walk alongside the river.
A large town built around a river means a lot of bridges!
The next bridge, this one is pedestrian:
Now we come to a very strange bridge.
After hurrying back to Bedford, there was plenty of time to get something to eat and drink (which I really needed!) before boarding the train.
A few more photos walking home:
