Burrator

 We parked at Burrator Dam and walked along the road to the Information Centre.  Along the way there were rhododendrons and azelias, which looked beautiful with the reservoir in the background.

Just after the Centre we went through the gate marked permissive path.  This led us to a walk around the reservoir and we did not need to walk on the road again until we came to the other end at Norseworthy Bridge.  There were bluebells along the way and  other flowers as well as views of the reservoir, then river that fed it.  

The path was not as good as in the past, rain seems to have washed away soil leading to stoney areas and lots of exposed roots.  We stopped for lunch st Norseworthy Bridge and admired the irises growing at the side of the river.

After a short walk along the road we were able to go back inside to the area around the reservoir.  There were more bluebells on this stretch.  When the reservoir is low you can walk right along the shoreline but this was not possible to today and at one point we had to return to the road for a short stretch.

The views from the end of the reservoir were lovely and I was able to experiment with the panaroma setting on my camera.  It was then a short section back to the dam to take more photos and and have an icecream.  The end of of lovely walk.

6.211 km, 11134 steps  1.52 minutes walking

East Portlemouth to Gara Rock

 Salcombe is a favourite place for us to visit.  We catch the train to Totnes then bus from the railway station to Salcombe.  Usually we just walk to North Sands, but today we thought we would do something different and caught the ferry to East Portlemouth and walked to Gara Rock.  It was a number of years ago that we did this and it made a lovely walk. (June 2011)

Because the tide was out we were able to walk along the sand to Millbay before picking up the South West Coast Path.  To begin with this was an easy track, just having to watch out for tree roots.  There were wonderful views across the estuary to Salcombe and we could see North Sands and South Sands.

As we walked further on the path became more difficult with rocky sections and at times very close to the cliff edge.  There were lots of ups and downs.  Once we were out of the estuary the view of the sea did not change, but there seemed to be more flowers around, bluebells, gorse, foxgloves, thrift etc.  

Eventually we came to Gara Rock and turned inland walking back on a good footpath then bridleway that went grandually downhill to Millbay.  There were bluebells in the woods at the sides, but more of a haze than a carpet.  By the time we were back at Millbay the tide had come in so we had to walk down the road to the ferry, not such a interesting walk as along the beach.  

We got back to the bus stop tired but feeling we had had a lovely walk and day out.

Stats, taken from Map My Walk,   6.63 km

Gardens around Plymouth in May

 May has continued like April with warm dry weather, where we have been able to get out and view the beauty of nature.  Photos of bluebells are on a separate blog, but below are photos of other plants showing their splendour.

Central Park - 5 May

Buckland Abbey -6 May

Gardens around Plymouth in April

This year (2025) we have had a very dry warm April.  We have taken the opportunity to get out and walk around as many gardens as we can.  They have been full of beauty and colour.  Many also have bluebells, but any photos of these I have put on a separate blog but below are photos I have taken in April.

Tulips in Saltram  - 3 April

Cherry Trees in Pounds Park  -  10 April

Lost Gardens of Heligan - 11April

Mount Edgcumbe  - 16 April

Lanhydrock - 26 April

Bluebells around Plymouth

 Bluebells are one of my favourite flowers and I love the display they put on when they are in full bloom.  This year I started to see them at the beginning of April, which seemed early, but we have had some warm weather this spring.  The first time I saw them was on 7 April beside  the River Plym on the walk from Longbridge Road to Plym Bridge.  There were only a few of them, but there was a promise of much more to come.

On 13 April we walked through the woods at the Stag Lodge end of Saltram Estate and on south facing banks the bluebells were out.

We returned to the walk along the River Plym on 24 April and there were a lot more of them about, but still they were not at their best.

On April 26 we went to Lanhydrock and there were lots in the woods leading up from River Fowey to Lanhydrock House.  The ones on the side of the upper path were looking better than those lower down.

On 29 April we went to the higher woods of Plym Bridge and parked at Wood Park.  We walked to the right and followed the path down to Plymbridge Road.  There were lots of bluebells in the woods at the side of the path. I even saw a white bluebell, which I gather is quite rare. After we returned to our car we took the path to the left of Wood Park but the bluebells were not so good on this side of the wood.

On 1 May we caught the ferry to Cremyll then walked to Mount Edgecombe House then through the woods to Milbrook.  There were lots of bluebells here  giving a wonderful display.

I had read that one of the best displays of bluebells in Devon was on the East Hill circular walk from Okehampton.  On 3 May we caught the bus to Tavistock then changed on the bus to Okehampton Railway Station.  From there we followed the walk up to East Hill as described in Walks from the Railway. To begin with  it was a flat section through Tramlines Wood,  but after going under the viaduct it was a steep hill going up to East Hill.  There were some bluebells, but not enough of a display to make the climb feel worthwhile.  The views from the top were magnificent though.

After we had wondered down back to the railway station and stopped for lunch we walked along the Granite Way.  There were bluebells in the woods at the side, although we did not walk as far as Meldon Viaduct where the main bluebells are.

On 6 May we went to Buckland Abbey and followed the Red Route around the estate through woods where there were plenty of bluebells.  I don't think the bluebells are looking as good as usual this year and they were not that special.

On 8 May we caught the bus to Yelverton and walked along the Drakes Trail to Grenofen.  There was a good display of bluebells in the woods at the side of the path.

I thought the bluebells would be finished when I went for a walk around Burrator on 16 May, but although some were past their best there were still plenty brightening the paths.