Wandering in and Around Bideford, Devon (part 2)

Happy New Year 2018. I don't really make New year's resolutions any more, but let's just say I have an intention to blog more than I did in 2017.

Following on from my previous Bideford post which covered a cycle ride along the Tarka trail, the second part will cover a few other aspects of Bideford, mainly the area to the east of the River Torridge, called East-the-Water. Once the only way to cross the river, this magnificent bridge is still in use today but fortunately the majority of the traffic is now carried by the Torridge Bridge (the A39) further to the north.

Old Bideford Bridge, Bideford, Devon

Looking north from the Old Bideford Bridge, the Torridge Bridge can just about be seen in the distance.

Looking north from the Old Bideford Bridge, Bideford, Devon

As we crossed the bridge to East-the-Water and wandered along the road, one of the first sights that greeted me was the wonderful ghost sign.

BRUNSWICK WHARF.

I. BAKER & SON

GENERAL BUILDING MATERIAL

&COAL MERCHANTS.

I. Baker & Son ghost sign in Bideford, Devon

Just along from the Brunswick Wharf building was the site of another former wharf, Queen's Wharf. Ripe for redevelopment it still displays the Queen's Wharf name on the pillars either side of the gate.

Queen's Wharf, East-the-Water, Bideford, Devon

This next picture was taken from the Tarka Trail, looking down into East-the-Water, just to the south of the Old Bideford Bridge. Presumably these buildings were also parts of a former wharf, but now looking a bit worse for wear and adorned with street art.

Street art, East-the-Water, Bideford, Devon

Originally built as a Collar Factory, and later as a furniture store, the building still bears its name and purpose.

BLACKMORES DEPOSITRORY

Blackmore's Depository ghost sign, Bideford, Devon

After a very wet day, the skies cleared in the early evening as we made our way down into the town for dinner, treating us to some lovely cloud formations. This first picture is taken from the west side of the River Torridge.

Looking down towards the River Torridge from Bideford, Devon

Looking south from the Old Bideford Bridge, Bideford, Devon

Looking towards the River Torridge from East-the-Water, Bideford, Devon

Looking towards the River Torridge from East-the-Water, Bideford, Devon

Once again, not having kept a meticulous record of where I took my photos, and my memory failing me, I am really not sure where these next two pictures were taken. Given the date they were taken, I am very sure they are in and around Bideford, but exactly where I cannot tell. If I had to guess then I'd say they were taken from the Tarka Trail as we cycled along it north from Bideford to Barnstaple and Braunton.

Somewhere along the Tarka Trail, near Bideford, Devon

Somewhere along the Tarka Trail, near Bideford, Devon

Thanks for reading. This is the last of the two posts I'll be doing on Bideford. I still have some archive material from last summer to post, so that will probably feature next, but hopefully I'll get an opportunity to explore more this year and post accordingly.