Uphill Salt Marsh

The Old Church of St. Nicholas, Uphill

  

The weather at this time of year is perfect for walking and the nature reserve to the south of Uphill village was my destination.  I presumed the village was so named because of the hill upon which sits the Old Church of St. Nicholas but apparently this is not the case.  The Domesday Book of 1086 records the name as “Opopille” whilst the Pipe Rolls of 1176 show it as “Uppehill”.  In Olde English “uppan” means above whilst “pyll” is a tidal creek – so it is more likely the village was named because it was above the tidal creek.

Uphill Salt Marsh

The muddy banks of creeks wind their way through the salt marsh providing a safe haven for small craft. 

Uphill Pill

The Wharfside Tea Rooms is perfectly located for a refreshment (and comfort) stop.  Thank goodness because the public convenience just down the road is still non operational – this time the notice reads that it is closed due to vandalism.

Black clouds were gathering overhead but as a bus had just left a walk along the beach back to Weston seemed like a good idea.  It was difficult to believe that we are in August – the height of the summer season – because the beach was deserted apart from a few kite surfers.

Kite surfers at Weston-super-Mare

Deserted beach at Weston-super-Mare

Carters Steam Fair has set up on Beach Lawns in readiness for the August Bank Holiday weekend and it was fun to see the vibrant colours and listen to all those wonderful rock n roll tunes from the 1960s. 

I smiled reading the sign on the Victory Dive Bomber which recommends that pregnant ladies and people with weak hearts should not attempt this ride.

 I am neither but still could not be tempted on !