Cotehele Quay to Calstock - Sunday 6th November 2011

Such a lovely day after the terrible rains last week, so we headed 12 miles away from Plymouth across the Tamar Bridge into Cornwall.  First of all we found a signpost to Halton Quay which is a wild life sanctuary on the banks of the River Tamar. I have included a map on the area at the end of this blog.

Halton Quay looking downstream towards Plymouth

St Dominic and his sister landed here

Halton Quay looking up river to Cotehele

Then onto Cotehele Quay, a National Trust property.  From here you can walk to Calstock beside the river through the woods.

Cotehele Quay

The path through the woods towards Calstock

A view of the viaduct over the River Tamar

The River Tamar

We are now the other side of the viaduct looking back to Cotehele.  Do you see the cornish flag?

A view from Calstock

There is a potter who displays her goods half way to Calstock and we cannot resist making some purchases!

The path back along the track in the woods is steep, but we return to Cotehele Quay and below are pictures of it.

A lovely sunny day, ideal for a brisk walk on a sunday afternoon.

This map shows Halton Quay, Cotehele Quay and Calstock all on the bank of the River Tamar

The Changing season at Plymbridge Woods Saturday 5th November 2011

Autumn has come quickly this year and I wanted to capture some of the beauty of the woods.  However, we did start our walk rather late in the day as it is getting dark early now as the clocks went back last weekend!

Roborough Down, Nr Yelverton, Devon - Sunday 30th October 2011

The weather forecast was more hopeful than it was in reality.  As Bob the dog became more anxious to get out for a walk, the mist seemed to descend more!  We relented and took him on the first part of Roborough Down, close to the main road out to Yelverton, so we couldn't get lost.

The road runs beside the Down

We are on Dartmoor National Park!

I think this is the remains of Drake's Leat

Trees have grown in the leat

Not many people or animals around, they were all sensible and were tucked up at home with a nice cuppa!!

Yealm Steps nr Cornwood - Sunday 16th October 2011

Annie, Kevin, Dave, Bob and Meg and I decided on a circular walk at Torr, past Cornwood.  The road ends by the entrance to SWWA water treatment works and a gate.  We skirted the Harrowthorn Plantation and the steep slopes of the River Yealm and Dendles Wood and Waste, spying the waterfall called Yealm Steps near the source of the river.  From this viewpoint, we could see down the valley to the Sound.

 We returned to the car via Stall Moor and Stalldown Barrow, to watch some hot air balloons making their accent in the early evening.

The view towards Harford

Harrowthorn Plantation

The Yealm Steps in the distance

We walked along the edge of the moor which was quite steep.  To our left is the wood and the river is down in the valley

It was further than we thought!

The Waterfall.  The source of the yealm is a mile further inland.

The view from the waterfall down the valley

From here we decided to walk up onto the top of the moor and back to the car. 

The view from the top of the moor over the valley and beyond.  The waterfall is to the extreme right ( out of sight!)

We can just see the balloons

Hot air balloons , 2 in the air and one about to go!

We can certainly feel the seasons changing, the quality of the photos are not so good either!!

Avon Dam, Shipley Bridge - Saturday 15th October 2011

By driving through South Brent, and following signs to Avon Dam we arrived at Shipley Bridge.  This walk is ideal for wheelchair users, children on bikes and in pushchairs as the path is flat and tarmaced most of the way. The route lies in the valley and is surrounded by hills on either side.

The path follows the route of the river for about 2 miles and then divides where one way leads above the dam and the other to the base of the dam.  We chose the upper path and were rewarded by views across the water.

The start of the walk and the finish!

The low river reveal the stoney base

This is Black Tor in the distance

At last, the Avon Dam

The view of the water from Gripper's Hill

This walk was not as challenging as some walks on the moors as the path is man made.  Lots of families were enjoying the afternoon and even some were in the river!

Dartmouth - Saturday 1st October 2011

Such a hot beautiful day and Dartmouth was a lovely setting.

Dartmouth welcomes visitors.  Park and ride from here!

2 french warships on maneovers

Lots of activity on the water

View from the castle

The river cruise on the Dartmouth Castle took us to Dittisham and then out to sea

Higher Ferry

Dartmouth

The car ferry being pulled along by a tug

A view of Dartmouth from the river mouth

The boat turned around at Dittisham

Saltram, Plympton -sunday 25th September 2011

The sun brought out hundreds of people to National Trust property Saltram, in Plympton.  We walked up to hill to survey Plymouth in the distance:

You can see the sea on the left and the Hoe from here.

Along a lane skirting the fields full of cows, we emerged onto the path leading to the small beach.  The tide was in, lots of dogs running around and spaniels especially swimming in the sea.

Bob just barks at them and gets his feet wet!!

The path then follows the river and opens up to reveal the folly and the area in front of it

Click on read more below to see the folly and bird life!