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Following what has now become an annual tradition,
Ernie led this final walk of the year through the lanes and footpaths
around Ashburton. ending up at the Victoria Inn, Ashburton. The
mud this year was even worse than in previous years and both Barbie
and Jenni took a tumble, fortunately with no lasting damage.
After an excellent lunch, Ernie did his best to
gently embarrass some of our members by recounting some of their
misdemeanours throughout the year, finally awarding the "Stirring
Prize" to Jo for her apparent naivety concerning the purpose
of duck boards.
Heather then presented Ernie with his very own wooden
spoon, hand crafted by Tim, in recognition Ernie's own efforts
over the years.
Ernie thanked Joy for taking on the task of organising the walks
for next year, and Dennis graciously offered his assistance to
Joy on the secretarial side.
Finally Maureen, Heather, Tim & Dave donned
Christmas hats to entertain us with a rousing rendition of a topical
song involving Grockles in Devon. (Regretfully I have no video
record available for this memorable musical event) |
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If we thought the last walk was muddy, this one taught us what
a muddy walk really was as Heather & Tim led us over the fields
and through the woods around Ogwell.
An encounter with a large herd of cows struck terror into certain
members of the group though to be fair, the cows were just as
nervous of us and were desperately trying to get out of our way.
Wonderful autumn colours again and a pleasant lunch at the Jolly
Sailor, Ogwell. |
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October 29th Bovey Tracey
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the Photo Album or watch
the video
Ernie organised and warned us before we started that we were
in for a muddy journey. To encourage us he announced that he would
be donating a prize for the muddiest boots at the end of the walk.
While we wrestled with the logic of this incentive we enjoyed
a 4 mile walk along the river valley from the NT Parke office.
A crisp and sunny morning ensured we all enjoyed the autumn colours.iew |
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October 15th - Babbacombe - Bishops
Walk
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the photo Album
replaced the originally planned walk from Berry
Pomeroy Castle which was cancelled due to it being excessively
wet underfoot. Fortunately the leaders, Ann & Colin, had this
carefully researched backup ready to roll and what an enjoyable
walk it turned out to be. The weather was cloudy for the most
part but this didn't detract from the fine views over Lyme Bay
and into Torbay.
After an easy walk from Babbacombe to Anstey's Cove, along the
Bishops Walk to Thatcher Rock we returned via Ilsham Valley to
Babbacombe Downs for a most enjoyable lunch at the Babbacombe
Inn. |
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Planned by Dennis though led by Joy, this was a
splendid 5 mile walk on a dull summer's day with rain forecast.
We left the South Hams village of Loddiswell and walked past Ham
Butts and Reads Farm to meet the River Avon. We followed the river
upstream for a while then crossed the river using a very interesting
bridge in order to follow the old railway track downstream on
the opposite bank to the Avon Mill garden centre where we stopped
for coffee.
Continuing our walk via Newmill Bridge we reached the Loddiswell
Inn where we had an outstanding lunch for which we were charged
£6.99 for a two course meal of excellent quality.
The forecast rain duly appeared as we left the pub - much too
late to spoil our day. |
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Heather & Tim led this superb Dartmoor walk
from Badgers Holt up the River Dart to Babeny then up towards
Yar Tor. Probably the best day of the year weatherwise, Blue skies,
warm sunshine with a whisper of a beeze to keep us cool on the
high moors. Heather collected a few peacock feathers, Jane managed
to fall into a puddle, and Alan refused to have his photo taken
standing next to an old goat!
A few members continued over Yar Tor in search of the Forest Inn
whilst the main party settled down for a picnic by the memorial
cross before getting lost on their way back to the cars. |
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Graham & Jo led this superb rural walk from Coffinswell.
Views were enjoyed across the Devon countryside from Torbay, across
to Dartmoor and along the Teign estuary. On the way we discussed
the origins of the name of Coffinswell (nothing to do with coffins
or wells) and Treacle mines.
The walk finished with an excellent luch at The Linnie. |
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Tony & Jenni were due to lead but were not able to attend
due to summer colds. However Colin & Ann bravely undertook
the task of leading 16 other walkers on this superbly scenic tour
of Bolberry Down and Hope Cove. As usual, the Portlight Hotel
provided an excellent lunch.
Ann took these excellent photos. |
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May 14th 2008 - Beesands to Start Point. Led
by Barbie (Derek taking the chuck wagon)
Watch the video
After some of the hottest days of the year, and despite a good
forecast with Barbie cautioning us to bring plenty of sunscreen,
turned out to be one of the coldest, windiest, and almost wettest
walk of the year so far. This didn't stop us enjoying the walk
and the bluebells, violets, foxgloves and gorse were out in force
to greet us.
We last did in 2005 and several changes were noted. (see walks
in 2005). Hallsands in particular was interesting in view of the
major reconstruction works on some of the clifftop buildings,
whilst the old ruined village below the cliffs allowed us to contemplate
how an ill judged decision to dredge the seabed led to such a
disastrous conclusion.
Photos by Tony & Dennis with archive photos from Plymouth
Records Office. Music for the video is "Liebestraum"
by Franz Liszt. |
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April 16th, Fingle Bridge, Led by Daphne &
Alan
Watch the video
This 4 mile walk took us through one of Devon's most picturesque
valleys alongside the River Teign after a climb out from Fingle
Bridge on the northern skirt of Dartmoor. A fairly cold day to
start but with plenty of sunshine and steep bits to keep us warm.
Lunch was taken at the pub at Fingle Bridge.
Music for the video is "Panis Angelicus" sung by Andrea
Bocelli. This has nothing to do with Devon scenery of course,
but I like it! |
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April 2nd, Greenway & Galmpton, Led by Dennis
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the Photo Album or the video
About twenty of us took this 4 1/2 mile walk, led by Dennis at
his usual cracking pace with the rest of strung out behind especially
when Jenni put her stick down and half a mile later realised she
had forgotten to pick it up again. This resulted in Tony walking
a mile more than the rest in having to return to the drop zone
to retrieve it. It was a gorgeous warm Spring day with beautiful
views over the River Dart. The music on the video is "Sacrifice"
by Elton John. (I chose it because it was playing when we
paid our food bill at The Weary Ploughman) |
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March 19th 2008, Cockington, Led by Dave
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the Photo Album
Thanks again to Dennis for taking over while Tony & Jenni
were enduring the heat of the Caribbean. Dennis writes:-
A beautiful day but a bit cold to start with. Yours truly was
earning extra brownie points by arriving by bus and walking up
to Cockington that added a further mile.
We all met in the car park but strangely not one of the group
parked there. We were told that there were toilets for our use
– bring 20p though – but much to our leader’s
chagrin, they were locked. He had a plan B though and we all trooped
out of the car park and up to Cockington Court and availed ourselves
of their facilities.
Then it was back to the vicinity of the car park where we took
to the road to begin the walk. Soon we were off-road and meeting
dog walkers and a lone runner as we made our way, stopping occasionally
to admire the view.
Suddenly we found ourselves in Broadpark Drive and heading back
to Cockington Court where we circled the ponds before making for
the church.
Lunch was taken in the Drum Inn where we were joined by Mary and
Peter Fox and Derek Orton who were not up to the walk on this
occasion.
19 people took part on this 3.3 mile walk and I was spared the
extra mile back to the bus stop by the kindness of David who gave
me a lift. |
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March 5th 2008, Princetown Railway Led by Daphne
& Allan
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the Photo Album
Dennis took all the photos and gave us this summary:-
The fine morning as we all travelled to Princetown soon clouded
over as we began our walk. We were asked to arrive by 10am so
that we could get the cars to the end of the walk enable everyone
to get back to the Plume of Feathers for lunch.
Thirteen hardy souls set off along the track of the railway that
served the town and the various quarries we came across. The route
was almost all downhill with an imperceptible decline from nearly
1400 feet to around 870. Mostly the going was easy but the track
ballast was a bit of a nuisance in places. As we rounded the last
of many bends we were hit by a passing shower and another as we
boarded our cars to return for lunch.
On the last leg of the journey we were met by Barbie and Derek
Orton who walked back with us. Maureen and David Gill also joined
for lunch.
It was a long walk of 7 miles that took us a little short of 3
hours but no one complained. It was most enjoyable and we have
to thank Alan and Daphne for organising it for us. |
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February 6th 2008, Teignmouth & Holcombe,
Led by Heather & Tim
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the Photo Album
Once again we had nineteen walkers on this beautifully sunny
walk. We set out from Teignmouth along the sea wall towards Dawlish,
passing under the railway before the "Parson and Clerk"
then up the hill to Holcombe. Some fantastic views across the
Exe estuary, an encounter with a very tiny rabbit, then back into
Teignmouth Triangle for an excellent meal at Pickwick's.
(Our walk today was 4.48 miles and we climbed 912 feet - stats
from Dennis) |
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January 23rd 2008, Stover Park. Led by Ernie
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the Photo Album
Nineteen walkers set out on a circular walk around the lake
and riverside along part of the Templer Heritage Trail. approx
4.5 miles. Once again, for the second year running, we had an
excellent "Old Codgers" meal at the The Star Inn, Liverton. |
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January 9th 2008, Exeter
Canal , Led by Chris & Malcolm
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the Photo Album
The first walk of 2008 was bright and sunny, though not very
warm. Approx 16 walkers started out from the Double Locks pub,
followed the canal to Countess Wear then alongside the river up
to Exeter Quay, returning to the pub for lunch. |
