Saltram Gardens

The mild winter has brought the snowdrops and primroses out even though it is only December.  This was twice as unusual as summer flowers such as cranesbill and hydrengeas were also in bloom!

Saltram at Christmas

We went to Saltram planning to have a short walk around the gardens between showers.  At the reception we were told that a tour of the House was just about to start, so we joined this.  The theme of the tour was "Saltram at Christmas".  Some of the rooms were decorated for Christmas and as we walked around the guide explained how Christmas was celebrated through the ages at Saltram.

After looking around the house we did get our short walk around the gardens.  We were surprised to see the first snowdrop.

There were also some other flowers still out, such as white hydrengeas and another flower I did not recognise. that looked like it was related to orchids.  Some of the camelias were also showing colour.

x

Eden Project

Eden is a great place to visit during the winter when it could rain at any time. We particularly went to visit the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition, which did not disappoint.  There were some stunning photos.

As we walked into the biodomes we saw daffodils flowering - only a couple of months early!

As usual there were lots of bright unusual plants to see in the tropical rainforest.



The new Bakery Shop situated between the two domes looked very enticing but in the Mediterranean Dome there were lovely smells of cooking and we chose to eat the Breton Fish Stew and Hungarian Bean Goulash there instead.  Delicious!

As we walked back to the Visitors Centre and Exit we noticed this shrub covered by berries, just as bright as the tropical flowers in the domes.

Saltram in Autumn

As we approached Saltram we could not help notice the berries on the bush by the gate.

As we walked through the gardens we saw a pheasant, the first time we had seen one there.  It was a pity it moved as I photographed it!

Some of the trees looked spectacular with their autumn colour.

In contrast there was a wonderful white hydrengra 

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.

Ivybridge Woods

It was a mild November afternoon, so we took the opportunity of a walk along the river Erme up from Ivybridge.  It had rained a lot recently and the path was muddy in places but the torrent of water flowing down was spectacular and the scene was brightened up with the autumn colours on the trees.

 

Buckland Abbey in Autumn

It was another lovely day, so although we only had the afternoon free we decided to make the most of it by visiting Buckland Abbey.

We followed their well marked paths of the red route past the field of sheep and through the edge of the woods.  Once we reached the Carp pond we walked back to the Abbey along the Monk's Path (outward Yellow route) as this is a more gentle slope.  The trees were all changing colour or they had lost their leaves and the sun shining on them made them look lovely.

Topsham

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

Plymbridge in Autumn

It was a mild autumn day with the sun ocassionally coming out, so we went to see if the leaves had started to change colour in Plym Bridge Woods.

At Plym Bridge

We parked on the Plympton side of  Plym Bridge and crossed the river to walk up the river. It was a muddy path at times but there was not that much water coming down the river. At one point we had to crawl under and clamber over   a fallen tree!  Some of the trees had begun to change colour  but there was still a lot of green leaves on the trees.

We crossed the river at one point and continued walking up towards Bickleigh.  The path here was better, but before we reached Bickleigh we had a steep climb, which although was a proper path was rough.  At the top of this hill we came to the cycle path that took us back to Plym Bridge. On this path we were high up in the trees and there was some lovely views down into the valley and across Dartmoor as we crossed the 3 viaducts.

Downderry to Portwrinkle

In the past we have walked around Whitsand Bay to Portwrinkle and also from Seaton to Downderry.  We wanted to 'join the dots' and walk from Downderry to Portwrinkle.  We had started to do this once before but realised it was a strenuous walk and we did not fancy having to do it and then walk back.  So today we checked the bus timetable and planned to get the bus from Portwrinkle to Downderry and then walk back.

As we waited for the bus the sun was shining and it was lovely sitting looking out to sea.  The bus ride took just 10 minutes and then the walk back started.  We knew there was was a steep climb to begin with because the cliffs to the east of Downderry are the highest point on the South Cornwall coast.  We had to walk up the road to start with but then took a zig zag footpath.  The path was quite good but there were hedges either side stopping us having a view to stop and admire.  Also there was a lot of ivy which was in flower and attracting wasps.  So we did not fancy stopping too long.  Once we had walked practically to the top of hte cliffs we could look back over Dowderry, but by this time it was cloudy and a mist was coming in from the sea.

Once we had reached the top of the cliffs the path levelled off although there were still some valleys to go down  and up before we finally walked down the hill to Downderry.  It was only as we were on this final stage that we came to a seat.  It would have been good to have somewhere to sit and rest part way!  At one point the path was very near the cliff edge and with the steep drop down this is not a walk to do when the weather is bad

Grenofen to Double Waters

Even though it was now October, the weather forecasters were predicting a scorching hot day.  We thought that most people would head for the coast and it might be too hot to walk far there, so we chose to do one of the walks in "On the beaten track"  The walk in the book started at Buckland Monachorum, but we decided to shorten it slightly and start at the Long Ash Garden Centre.

To begin with we walked across the open moor between Dartmoor ponies, with beautiful views across to tors in the distance.  We gradually started to walk down the hill, and it seemed quite a gentle slope to begin with but as we approached Grenofen it became very steep and the path stony and difficult to walk on.

The river and bridge at Grenofen looked beautiful with the sun shining through trees lighting up parts in contrast to the parts in the shadow.

Bridge at Grenofen

Having crossed the bridge we walked down by the side of the river all the way to Double Waters.  There was quite a lot of water flowing and it was lovely to hear it as it rushed across the granite boulders in rapids.

River Walkham

River Walkham 

Photo taken with auto setting

Photo taken with sport setting

At Double Waters, where the River Tavey meets the River Walkham, which we have just walked along, we  crossed the bridge  and started to walk up the hill.

River Tavy taken from bridge at Double Waters

Bridge at Double Waters

There now followed a section of walking up hill until we reached roads near Buckland Monachorum.  As we had not parked our car there we left the suggested path and followed the road back to Long Ash.  This was fairly flat but there was hedges both sides of the road and no footpaths so not the best walking route.  As promised it was a very hot afternoon and so we were very ready for a sit down and tea and cake at the Garden Centre Cafe at the end of the walk.

Walking by the river had been delightful but the walk back up to the car and the steep section down to Grenofen was not so pleasant.  On a future walk, once the path is open again, I would walk from Magpie Corner to Grenofen and then down to Double Water and return the same way.

Camel Trail - Wadebridge to Padstow

We drove to Wadebridge where we left the car and hired bikes to ride along the Camel Trail to Padstow.  The path was very good and flat all the way (5 miles).  It was low tide so the river so not looking as attractive as it might have done at high tide but nevertheless the views were great.

We left the bikes at the edge of Padstow and walked into the village, which was really packed with tourists.  We went to Rick Stein's Fish and Chips Restaurant for lunch and had beautiful fried goujons with chips.  We then walked up to the grass area above the village to see that view before we returned to our bikes and the ride back.

Although the cycling was not too tiring I (and particularly my bottom) was glad when we got back to Wadebridge.