This is a picture of the ducks at the Apple Dumpling Bridge in the Alver Valley. On this particular day I was walking back from Lee on Solent. I had come this way. Through the nature reserve to visit the bridge, and a very historic site (for Gosport) the Rowner Mott & Bailey.
There is a story as to why it is called the apple dumpling bridge, but it’s not the one I want to tell today. What I can say is that when I arrived at the bridge, which is quite a picturesque site, the stream it went over was a tad more swollen than I expected, rendering the bridge ineffective.
I did have the choice of turning back, but I didn’t want to do that. So I took off my shoes and socks and waded across. It was only three or four inches deep, so that was ok, but it was a bit painful, not being a smooth river bed.
I knew where the Mott, the mound where the defensive position stood is not very big so I don’t think you can call it a castle is still there. It is a preserved site, but freely accessible. Of the Bailey, the larger communal area that would have been surrounded by a protective wall there is nothing remaining.
It was a little bit of adventure. I did do some videoing at the top of the mound, but my words were badly formed and the quality of my input, not the equipment was quite dreadful. I really should give it another go.
Bills Posts 