The Bridge at Topsham carries a fast-rotating selection of local real ales, served from barrels at the back of the bar. Opening times are limited to those imposed in the wartime restrictions just over a century ago.
The beer garden overlooks the River Clyst, a tidal tributary of the River Exe, where a weir often disappears underwater at high tides. Downstream from the pub to its confluence with the Exe there’s a series of RSPB reserves, with others nearby.
My first glimpse of the river on the morning this picture was taken came when I passed it on the bus. There had then been a heron and a lesser egret, quite close together, fishing at the weir.
By the time I had walked (slowly) back from the bus stop the heron had disappeared. The egret had moved upriver, and could just be seen, close to the bank, by a distant bend.
Views did get better later (to be continued …)