Sharkham Point to Man Sands, Brixham - 30th April 2011

Quite a difficult place to find, among the narrow streets of Upper Brixham.  Eventually, along a long lane, the car park was revealed.  The weather was wet when we arrived but after lunch, it cleared and we ventured out. We walked along the coastpath from Sharkham Point, Southdown Cliff and then a steep cliff down to  Mansands. Unfortunately, there was a lot of japanese knot weed, and we were alarmed to see swathes had been cut down as it had blocked the footpath.  Hopefully the gardener knows what it is!!

St Mary's Bay with Mussel Rock

Sharkham Point

Sharkham Point

Caterpillars hatching.  but what will they become???

New type of letterboxing via phone apps!!

An exceptionally steep cliff down to the beach.  we were so glad we were walking this way round.

Mansands

Mansands

 

National Trust created this 2.5 acre wetland area opposite the beach

From here we seemed to take a wrong turn and ended up at Woodhuish Farm with a cidermaking barn 

 

Down another really steep field, we crossed a bridge and found ourselves on a footpath bordered by wild garlic.

The footpaths inland and upwards were tough going, but eventually we found Southdown Cross and Yards Lane, skirting a holiday camp, back to the car park

Car park at Sharkham Point

The walk was about 4 miles, quite steep in places, and half of it along roads or lanes.

Wistman's Wood, Dartmoor - Easter Monday 25.04.11

Dave, Pam, Bob and I started from the quarry car park opposite The Two Bridges Hotel, and followed a path to the moor.
The valley stretched before us and in the distance we could see Wistmans Wood nestling close to the river.  It is a National Nature Reserve and covers 8.5 acres. From here, we turned right up hill to Longaford Tor which commands views across the moors. Protected from the wind, we enjoyed our picnic and then climbed to the top of the Tor to enjoy the view.

Heading south, and walking along the ridge, Littaford Tor appeared, then walking across fields, eventually we were on Crocken Tor where the stannary parliament used to sit as it was equidistant from Ashburton, Chagford, Tavistock and Plympton.  The Judges Chair is a stone shaped like an arm chair.

At the start of the walk at the quarry car park

The valley stretches before us

Wistmans Wood to the left of the sign

Looking back the way we came, from Wistmans Wood

Longaford Tor

Taken from the top of Longaford Tor with Littaford Tors in the distance

Littaford Tors

From Littaford Tors

Crocken Tor, with the Judges Chair in the centre of the photo.

The Judges Chair at Crocken Tor

A cuckoo was calling out from the woods, throughout the walk.  A long walk along the road, then, back to the car.  We thought it was about 5 miles, as our feet were aching!!  We couldn't find any sign of our letterbox on Crocken Tor, or any others for that matter.

Easter Sunday 24th April 2011

A lovely day!  Pam and I visited Plymbridge Woods where the National Trust was holding an Easter Egg Hunt.  Loads of people enjoying themseles, having picnics.

In the afternoon, Pam and I went to Lukelands, near Ivybridge.  The gardens are beautiful and are at their best with azaleas and rhododendrons in flower.

Lukesland