Burrator Woods

 We had not been to Burrator Woods since 2012.  I read on social media that the bluebells were magnificent there this year for we decided to look for ourselves.

We parked by the river at Meavy and walked up the hill to Merchants Cross and then along the road to Yeo Farm,  Following the footpath signs we climbed over the stile and followed the stony track up the hill.  There were a couple of other stiles to climb before we reached the woods then a stile ladder to climb to enter the wood.  It was full of bluebells with the blue carpet spread over the whole wood.  It was lovely to walk along the path with bluebells either side. It was a wonderful sight.  We walked to the edge of the wood then followed the path around to get back to the stile ladder. 

At the other side of the track there was a field and we could see another wood full of bluebells which we admired from a distance.

When we got back to the car we sat and ate our lunch  sat on granite boulders at the side of the river.  It reminded me of coming here as a child when I played in the water.  Very happy memories.

Lanhydrock

 W caught the train to Bodmin Parkway and then walked along the River Fowey until we crossed over the river.  Instead of continuing to walk along the river as we usually do we made our way up through the woods as there were lots of bluebells out.  The path was lined with blue flowers and carpets of this sweet smelling flowers were at the side.  It was a beautiful walk even though it is uphill.

As we approached Lanhydrock House there were some beautiful rhododendrons along the path giving bright bursts of colour.  The gardens of the house were also looking splendid with the rhododendrons, azelias, camelias and other blossom.

It was quite a long walk to and from the station but well worth it at this time of the year.

Tulip Fest, Strawberry Fields

 It was an hour's drive to Lifton to Strawberry Fields, but well worth it.  We had tickets for 11 am when they opened the Tulip Fest but as we got there early we walked around the farm shop and bought cake to eat with our coffee.

There are a few animals in fields, some gooat and a couple of highland cattle.

When we entered the tulip area there was a courtyard with mock up houses, central beds, food kiosks and a dutch organ playing. 

It was colourful but nothing as spectacular as the tulip fields.  There was every colour of tulip, with paths between the beds and various objects scattered around to make photos more interesting.  There were platforms that you could climb up to see the tulips from above.  Some of the tulips were finished but there were still many to see 

I have often thought I would like to go to Holland to see the tulip fields, but now if is not necessary.  Apparently half a million bulbs had been planted and  it was only a small area so it was really beautiful.

Devonport Leat

 We parked the car in Burrator Quarry car park and walked up the hill to the old railway line.  There are magnificent views over Burrator from this track.

We followed this flat path until we reached Devonport Leat.  We then followed the leat, diverting into woods at one point and crossing a road as it ran underneath it.  Initially the water in was smoothly flowing down the leat, but later if was going so fast there was ripples like waves flowing down. 

After 45 minutes we turned around and made our way back the same way, admiring the views again on the way back.

Salcombe

 One of our favourite places.  So beautiful!  We catch the train to Totnes then bus to Salcombe.  From the bus stop we walk along the river out to the sea at North Sands, then back to have lunch in the park overlooking the ferry to East Portlemouth.

Grand Western Canal

 We caught the train to Tiverton Parkway then a linking bus to Tiverton town centre.  We walked through the town and were surprised by how many historic buildings were around, and lots of independant shops.  It is definitely somewhere to come back to to explore more.  We made our way to the Canal basin and started to walk along the canal.  One of the horse drawn barges was moored ready to take people up the canal, but the horse was still in the field at the side.

It was a very pleasant walk along the canal.  It was a good flat walk all the way.  There were not many boats there, just some moored, but there was plenty to see, flowers, butterflies, insects, ducks and swans.

Along the way there were noticeboards telling us about the canal and its history and giving us maps showing how far we had walked.  When we got to the bridge at Tiverton Road we left the towpath and headed down the path to Halberton.  Initially this was a footpath separated from the road by a hedge.  At the outskirts of Halberton we had to walk along the road, but there was a pavement.  We stopped at the farmshop for a wonderful lunch of frittata and salad.  Afterwards we wandered around the village, while we waited for the bus back to the railway station.

There were road closed signs in the village, although traffic was still going through.  The bus was scheduled to arrive and the stagecoach website had nothing about any diversion, but it did not come so we had to return to the canal and continue to walk to the next village, Stamford Peverell.  We left the canal to get to the bus stop but when we arrived a local told us the bus was not coming through the village because of the road closure at Halberton.  He told us where to catch it at the edge of the village.  We walked there and waited but the scheduled bus did not arrive.  We then decided to walk on to the train station, another 20 minute walk!  On the way the bus passed us!  The walk was much longer that we anticipated (7.5 miles) but it was very pleasant and we will return to walk more of the canal another time.  

Roborough to Lopwell Dam

This was a new walk for us.  We had often seen the gatehouse and drive at the edge of Roborough Down but had not thought to investigate where it went.  A post on social media told me it was the driveway to Maristow House and led all the way to Lopwell Dam, so we decided to investigate.

To access the path you have to walk over a cattle grid, which needed balance, but after that it was a wide path all the way down.  Just past the gatehouse we saw a stone which had 2 miles carved into it.  We were not sure why 2 miles, but guessed it was the distance to Maristow House.  Initially there were far reaching views to the River Tamar.  We could just make out the Tamar Bridge in the distance.

The path gradually went down hill, past fields and woods and farms.  There were a few gates to open but no obstacles.  At times there were views and other times nothing much to see.  It was a fairly straight path so not very interesting at times.  We crossed a couple of small roads and eventually came to the road that leads round the corner to Lopwell.  It took us just under an hour to get there.  This last bit of road was the only steep hill, and it was not very steep.

It was a pity the cafe at Lopwell was closed and obviously up for sale.  So we just had a short break before heading back to the car.  Although it was uphill all the way it was not too strenuous.  It was an interesting quiet walk.  For the whole time we were walking (2 hours) we saw only one other group of 3 men, and it was obviously their first time on this path.