Starcross to Exeter Quay

We caught the train to Starcross then started to walk along the Exe Valley cycle path towards Exeter.  This was a lovely flat walk, beside the river Exe and then the Exeter canal.  At times we had to share our path with cyclists, but some of they way there was a separate footpath for walkers.  Although we were on a road at one point, it was only an access road and cars knew they had to share the space with walkers and cyclists.  Most of the way we had a view of the water, and lovely countryside on the other side.  This included walking past Powderham Castle, and we could see the deer in the distance.

Our original plan we to walk to the Turf Hotel for lunch then catch the ferry to Topsham to get the train home.  However, after a wonderful lunch at Turf Hotel (salad and curry) we felt ready to walk all the way to Exeter.  Turf Hotel was in a lovely setting, and I am sure we will go back there again.  Fortunately we were they just after 12 and got our meal quickly, but it was busy and I am sure in high season and later in the lunchtime there might have been quite a wait for food.

We walked on another 3 miles until we came to Double Locks.  We have eaten at this pub in the past when we have walked out from Exeter.  Today we just stopped for a cup of tea and cake.  It was very crowded and we felt we preferred Turf Lodge.  

Having been refreshed we continued on to Exeter Quay and then walked to Exeter St Thomas' station. Altogether we had walked 9 miles and we were tired, but it had been a good day. In future I would probably do the walk from Starcross to Turf Hotel, but not go on all the way to Exeter.

Wheal Jewell reservoir and Lydford Gorge

I love walking on Dartmoor, but like to have walks with definite paths so there is no danger of us getting lost..  I was therefore pleased to find the walk at http://www.richkni.co.uk/dartmoor/betsy.htm which said it was a walk with clear paths.

The walk starts off the main road just north of Mary Tavy. We found it difficult to find where we had to park to start the walk, but eventually we found where we needed to stop by the path up to the Wheal Jewell reservoir.  The walk was easy as it was flat and with wide ranging views.  We could see the Wheal Betsy mine works but as there was no definite path to it was did not go to see it closer but instead stayed on the path to the Wheal Jewell reservoir and then walked around that and then back again on the same path.

The leat that flows into the reservoir

Pool beside the reservoir

Wheal Jewell reservoir

As this had only been a short walk we drove on to Lydford Gorge.  We walked down to the Devil's Cauldron then returned to the car and drove to the other end of the gorge and walked to the base of the White Lady Waterfall.  The wild garlic was out, but only a few of the bluebells.  It won't be long before the woodlands around this National Trust property will look wonderful.

Devils Cauldron

River rushing through the gorge

White Lady Waterfall

Calstock and Cothele

Last week we drove to Cothele Quay and walked to Calstock.  There were lots of spring flowers in the woods, with the bluebells just coming out.

The views to the viaduct and over the river are always beautiful and today we were fortunate to see a train going over the bridge.

Usually when we walk to Calstock we then turn around and walk back, but today we decided to walk along the river following the Tamar Valley Discovery Trail.  When we had to come away from the river we took a wrong turn and walked along the road, quickly coming back to the village.  We should have gone up the hill further before turning down to the village.  It nevertheless was a pretty walk and we were rewarded with a lovely icecream after our lunch sat overlooking the river and viaduct.

We then climbed up the hill to Cothele itself.  The gardens were looking spectacular with lots of daffodils still out as well as other spring flowers.

St Austell to Wheal Martyn

We did this walk on 22 March, but I have not recorded it on this blog until now.

We caught the train to St Austell then followed the signs to the Clay Trails, which took us down a steep hill and up the other side on pavements.  But soon we were on the cycle path that is the Clay Trail.  Being a cycle path there was a firm surface to walk on and it only climbed up slowly, however it was not a particularly pretty path.  However the last half a mile we were walking beside the White river and then a lake, which made it more interesting.  The water really was white from the china clay that is mined in this area.

 There were still some snowdrops out as well as primroses and daffodils.

The walk was 2 miles to Wheal Martyn where we stopped to eat our picnic then a warm up and cup of tea and cake in the museum cafe.  We thought the museum admission charge not worth pay so just returned back to St Austell.

Nun's Cross and Devonport Leat

We so enjoyed our walk from Princetown last week we decided to return to the same area on Thrusday 31 March to explore the area further.  This time we drove down the road towards Whiteworks and parked the car above Peat Cot Farm and walked back to the bridle path.  This time we then turned left to walk towards Nun's Cross.  The views were spectacular, we could see Burrator Reservoir in the valley below and Plymouth Sound in the distance.

When we reached Nun's Cross we walked on down to Nun's Cross Farm to look for Devonport Leat, but we could not find it.  So we made our way towards Peat Cot in the direction we thought the Leat would be taking.  Eventually we came to it, but the wall with the path was on the other side and we could not get across the leat.  We followed the leat along but it was very wet and eventually we walked uphill to the road.  We noted that the road crossed the leat, so we assumed we would be able to cross the leat at this point, which we did.   We then walked along the leat until we came to below Nun's Farm where it went into a tunnel.

We then walked back to the car the way we had come.  On the way we came to ponies grazing at the side of the path.

Princetown

On March 25th the sun was shining.  We had avoided walking on Dartmoor during the winter so thought it was time we visited this area.  We parked in a lay-by just outside Princetown and walked down the bridle path towards South Hessary Tor and then continued on the path until the junction which we came to when we walked from Princetown in September 2011.  It was a good path so ideal after the wet winter weather we had had recently.  The views were beautiful.  It was a much better walk than down the road which is the way we went last time.

We cut across the path that led to the road and crossed the road and walked to Peat Cot Cottage and farm.  This was a muddier path, but we could avoid the puddles.  When we arrived at Peat Cot Cottage there was a sign to a footpath that led back to Princetown.  We started to follow this but it was very wet.  We continued on through one field and turned left at the end to make our way uphill.  There was a bridge over a stream but to get to it we had to go across stepping stones.  They were too far apart for our liking and so we decided at this point to turn back.

When we cross the field we were walking parallel to the Devonport Leat.  Another couple was walking along the 'wall' of this and their path was completely dry so on the way back we climbed up to this wall and it was much easier coming back.

We then retraced our path back to Princetown for an icecream.