Shaldon

We followed the instructions for this walk from the Jarrold Short Walks South Devon book.  This walk started at the car park in Shaldon but we went to Teignmouth by train and walked down to the sea front and then along to catch the ferry to Shaldon.  The flower beds in Teignmouth were looking very bright and attrative.

The walk started by going through the village of Shaldon along the estuary of the River Teign.  It was unfortunate that the tide was out - it would have been prettier at high tide.  Having passed the road bridge to Teignmouth we walked on to Gravel Point then turned up towards Ringmore.  This was a very pretty village with lots of thatched cottages.  The road steadily went uphill but we were rewarded by some wonderful views up the river Teign and towards Dartmoor.  When we turned into Butterfly Lane we hoped to see butterflies but it was a cloudy cool day so none were around.  However, there were more spectacular views including this one back to Teignmouth.

We had just commented what a lovely walk this was when we came to a very large puddle that completely engulfed the path.  We had to edge past it almost in the hedge, holding on to vegetation to stop up slipping in. Just at the end Andy's foot slip and went up to his ankle in red muddy water!  We continued on hoping there were no further 'puddles' but soon came to an even larger one.  We realised there was not way we could walk through this one, but fortunately spotted that someone had made steps up the side of the hedge and there was a very narrow path along the top of the hedge.  We carefully, slowly walked along here and managed to get past the pool of water.

When we got to the end of Butterfly Lane we could see down the coast to Labrador Bay.

We could have cut across to the South West Coast Path at this point but it would have meant walking along the A379 which is a busy road with no verges so we kept to the instructions in the book and walked inland for a while before going along the A379 for 200 yards before joining the SW Coast Path.  We were glad it was only this short a portion as it was a dangerous section.

When we got on to the SW Coast Path we started walking down a very steep  slope.  This gave us another viewpoint of Teignmouth.

The path continued making its way downward until we reached Shaldon.  We could have returned to Teignmouth and the railway station via the ferry, but instead decided to continue walking to the road bridge and walk across this back to Teignmouth.  It was a pleasant walk through Shaldon but on the other side of the river we had to go up a hill to get past buildings before we dropped down into Teignmouth Town Centre and on to the railway station.

Lostwithiel to Lanhydrock to Bodmin Parkway

The sun was shining as we caught the early train to Lostwithiel.  There were primroses in the hedgerows as we swoosh past and when we got out at Lostwithiel we immediately saw daffodils beside the river.

We walked through the town and up Restormel Road towards the castle.  We had planned to see the castle, but the entrance gate was closed and although we could have walked around the side the hill up to the castle put us off, so we continued walking parallel to the river towards Lanhydrock.  Most of the way was quiet roads, just access roads, and when we did have to go across fields there was a definite path and only one muddy patch.  It was basically a flat walk, but although it followed the river this was usually too far away to see properly.  At one point we looked back and could see Restormel Castle on the hill behind us, but there was a line of tree stopping us get a good view.

After an hour we came to the Lanhydrock Estate.  We continued walking along the path until we came to the Lodge House and then we walked up the Avenue to Lanhydrock House.  We walked around the gardens, where there were plenty of camelias and a few daffodils.

The most spectacular camelia was the one that had been trained to grow up the front of the house.

There were lots of birds around, singing their hearts out.  One robin was happy to be photographed!

Having stopped for lunch overlooking the gardens we walked back down the Avenue to Respryn Bridge and then along the path to Bodmin Parkway Station for the train home.

Dawlish

It was a bright sunny day so we decided to  take the train to Dawlish and walk along the sea front to Dawlish Warren.

We started by walking up the town to buy pasties to eat for lunch.  The black swans were swimming in the river that flows down the centre of the town.

The walk along the beach was very pleasant as the sun shone, although there was a mist in the distance so you couldn't see too far in the distant.

Dawlish Warren beach with Exmouth in the distant

Looe to Mildenreath

We caught the train to Looe, a very pleasant train ride with beautiful views out of the carriage all the way. As we approached Looe there were many birds in the river - herons, egrets, curlews as well as gulls and ducks.

After walking around Looe and having some lunch we followed the South West Coast Path towards Mildenreath.  There was a long steep climb up from Looe town, but the view from the top of the cliff over the beach to Hannafore Point was worth the effort.

We continued walking around the coast.  There was a proper path all the way, and we were often on quiet roads between attractive houses.  After we had gone down to Plaidy Beach we had to go up another hill and then down a long hill with steps to Mildrendeath.

We then turned around and walked back to Looe.  It had been an ideal walk for a winter's day when other paths would have been muddy.

Newton Abbott to Teigngrace

It was a mild November day so we wanted to make the most of it and go for a long walk, but we thought footpaths would be muddy after all the rain we have had recently, so we chose to walk along the Templar Way as this is a cycle path a lot of the way.

We caught the train to Newton Abbott and then walked down past Tuckers Maltings to the cycle path that led along the River Lemon.  This led into Jetty Marsh Nature Reserve and then along the old canal up to Teignbridge.  Most of the time there was a good path, although it did get very muddy at the end.  It was a pleasant flat walk, but nothing special to see except the occasional mushrooms and berries on the trees.

Tree full of berries

Close up of berries.

Topsham

It was a lovely bright November day.  The sky was blue and although the wind was blowing at times and there was a nip in the air first thing it was a perfect day to get out exploring.  We took the train to Exeter  and then changed to the train to Exmouth and went as far as Topsham.

To begin with we walked inland to Dartsfarm that is on the outskirts of Topsham and just a 15 minute walk from the station.   It was good to see all the variety of specialist foods and home products but we did not buy anything except our lunch of fish and chips.  A sparrow kept us company at the next table.

After lunch we followed the cycle path to Exon.  It was a lovely walk in the country, but we only occasionally got glimpses of the river.  At Exton a train was due so we caught it back to Topsham.  The railway platform at Exton must have one of the best views in the country.

Back in Topsham we wandered down the main street looking at all the independent shops and cafes.  Eventually we came to the quay and then we walked on to Goat Walk, where the land comes to an end.  We then walked back along the estuary until we were back at the top of the town and the railway station.  From here is was back home on the train with a change at Exeter

Photographing Dartmoor

On Saturday 10 September we attended an excursion operated by Dartmoor National Park Authority called "Capturing Dartmoor at Sunset".  We were picked up at Newton Abbott railway station by the Haytor Hoppa and taken to Hound Tor where we met photographer Rob Hutchinson. We walked around Hound Tor as he explained how best to capture the light and landscape of Dartmoor. We were then taken to the Old Inn in 

Widecombe-in-the-Moor for a meal and drinks.  While we ate Rob showed some of his photos and equipment.  The Haytor Hoppa then took us back to Newton Abbot in time to catch the 10 o'clock train back to Plymouth.  It was a most interesting evening.

Some of the photos I took on Hound Tor:

Flowers growing around granite

The sun coming through clouds

Gorse giving colour to landscapes

Interesting shapes of granite at the top of Hound Tor

Edges of granite often look like faces

The sun came up and shone in the distance 

The sun shining on the medieval village near Hound Tor

Hound Tor from the Kist (burial chamber)