Another view of Cod Beck, taken close to Lock Bridge, shown in yesterdays shot, and looking at the river as it flows south.
Here you can clearly see a bank of silt on the right of the shot, and again in the distance where the smooth surface of the water is broken. The river has a much lower rate of flow than in the past, probably due to water extraction upstream by farmers to water their crops.
This area is very popular in the summer with children who want to paddle, and it is quite common to see quite a few families here on warmer days.
Had this stretch of waters been converted to a canal, the scene might well have been very different. The failure of the canal scheme and later the main line railway running 1.5 miles (2.4 km) to the west of Thirsk, with Thirsk at the end of a branch line meant a relative decline in the town. During the coaching era it had been on a major road northwards, and several inns had horses to serve the coaching trade. Some of those inns survive today. Thirsk and Sowerby are something of a backwater, but that means that much of their character has survived, and there is a lot of historical interest to see.
Glad that the historical buildings were saved
Thank you all for your lovely comments and favs, they are very much appreciated.
The walk beside Cod Beck is only relatively short, but it is a lovely walk full of interest.
Ian