Dartmouth to Brixham (13th Oct)

I've just spent an hour and a half going through the pics of the next stage of the walk - that's the price of not writing it up straight away!!!!!

Anyway, I will include lots of pics and little writing so that you can whizz through them. I love these serviette holders...

We had been told, by several different people that we had met, that this section was absolutely stunning so our expectations were very high. We crossed the River Dart on that amazing ferry,

with the tugboat doing its dance!

Across to the colourful houses of Kinswear...

Kingswear

From here we walked out on to the cliff, which was good, but not quite the stunning scenery we were expecting.

The walking was quite strenuous with several deep valleys to cross...

Looking back at Scabbacombe - you can just see Tim!

Some trees ... :-)

... black sheep ...

Man Sands had a group of schoolchildren exploring the beach...

Man Sands

..we enjoyed this view back to Sharkham Point.

We had to include Trinity House's shortest lighthouse -

out on Berry Head, but still 190' above sea level!

There there was also this useful display explaining the landforms you can see across the bay to Torquay.

From here we headed down into Brixham.

Wales

Snowdon from Dinorwic
(The tiny little pyramid to the right of the main mass is actually the summit.)

I know it's been a while...

I've just got back from two weeks away. The first week was with a school on an activity week near Llanberis. We had almost 60 youngsters, 12-13yr olds, and it was amazing.
Stretched in every way... the highlight for me was going into a slate mine and having to use ropes etc to move along and between levels - it was fantastic! We also climbed Tryfan by the North Ridge in very strong winds... it was extremely challenging!


View from Tryfan-about half way up.

The weather was windy and wet mostly but it didn't really stop anything - the activites were adapted to it! A brilliant week but exhausting.


From there I went down to South Wales to the Gower and stayed at Caswell for the week. It was wonderful - you know I love this place :-) ...here are some pics... I didn't go out a lot as I was so tired... but it's such a place that you don't really need to! This is looking through the window on the first morning I was there...

and there was a gentle sunset in the middle of the week...

I did make a little rock pile after Andy Goldsworthy... but did lots of reading and sorting of things on my laptop.

I'm now resting up for the final leg of The Walk... I'll try and write up the rest of it first... watch this space!

Keith has just got back from a three week trip to Ethiopia... I'm hoping he'll share some pictures with me because he had an amazing visit to the Mursi people... so definitely watch this space.

Start Point to Dartmouth (12 Oct)

Down Farm was the name of our B & B,

a lovely example of a Devon Longhouse where the people lived upstairs and the animals down below. There were gates across the wide steep stairs to stop the animals from encroaching. It was a working farm and a lovely place to stay, I loved these paintings on my bedroom wall...

There was also a lady staying who spent the evening drawing from a photo she'd taken. It was beautiful. Looking through her sketch book was such a delight... it made me want to pick up a pencil again - though it would be with nothing like the skill and finesse of this talented woman.

We set off after our usual excellent breakfast and headed for Hallsands

which was washed away after dredging for the construction of Devonport Dockyard back in 1890s led to a drop in beach level of 12' and the subsequent destruction of the original village. The new village perches similarly on this dramatic piece of coast.

From here though it became less dramatic, so much so that we caught the bus again. The path follows the road here for some way and moves inland, so we re-joined the path at Stoke Fleming (still inland), where the path gradually wends its way back to the sea and from here it was a short walk along to Dartmouth.

As far as walking goes this was a very quiet day. Dartmouth was interesting though, with some amazing buildings;

a barometer on a wall; a slightly terrifying car ferry; .which was fascinating to watch - (see below) - it was almost like a pair of dancers;

and lots of people, probably the busiest place we'd been in so far. Finding a B&B proved a little tricky, but we got there in the end and were able to enjoy long hot baths again!

The Ferry Dance

Salcombe to Start Point (11th Oct)

I'm going to whisk you back to the coast for some more of the walk... we woke up to another beautiful day with blue skies and a strong easterly wind. Roger kindly drove us in to Salcombe so that we could catch the ferry across the river to East portlemouth to begin the next section.

The River at Salcombe

I was feeling very snuffly... I think this may be the reason...

when I came back upstairs after breakfast... the cat had disappeared... he was actually the lump under the duvet... As the day went on, my snuffles disappeared...

Today's walk took us along the coast as far as Start Point. I shall let the pictures speak for themselves - it was a glorious day.

Looking towards Prawle Point

Looking back at Gammon Head and beyond to Bolt Head

Looking onwards from Prawle point towards Start Point - lovely bit of raised beach!

Lannacombe Beach

The Pinnacles - "isolated stacks of glacial head on schist bases" :-)

Start Point

The Ridged back of Start Point

The View Beyond Start Point

So Far So Good - just look at those miles!

A final look back at Start Point

Christmastime 2010

What is Meriel laughing at?


Hello again! Thought you might enjoy some Christmastime snaps :-)
The weather has stayed below freezing for days on end... we have the bottles of coke and lemonade etc stood outside the back door... when we come to pour them they are wonderful iced drinks!

We had some lovely news on the 23rd when Louise and Chris had a baby boy, Harry. That makes Meriel a Great Grandma!

Tim did his usual expert job under the tree and we all enjoyed some lovely presents - what was Fav GG smiling at?

In the afternoon we were able to chat to Phil on Skype and he opened his parcel...
I hasten to add... it wasn't just toothpaste! Skype has been great and it was lovely to catch up with him. He had been out with his mates and had had a really good time.

Bridgie has been doing lots of uni work but we managed to force her to join in some card games and watch some tv :-) Sevens and Hearts seem to be the favourite card games... and Meriel is a dab hand at both!

You can see how our house is still frosted up,

but it's lovely and warm inside.

We have burnt all our stored logs but it has been worth it. Keith has been on several walks out up on to the ridge or around to Stevington and as long as you are wrapped up warm and can keep your feet, it is glorious. He's also been totting for logs in the coppice across the road and has amassed a good haul - they need some sawing and drying out but should see us through the New Year.

On one of my walks out in the snow I couldn't resist doing this... on the golf course... in the middle of the second fairway! Needless to say... there was noone about!

I'm not sure what the Ladies of Pavenham would have made of me, but I loved it :-)

Now, what was it that Meriel was smiling at?
And finally a farewell from Phil..

Happy New Year

Christmas chill!

Happy Christmas!

I thought you might enjoy some recent pics...

we have had very cold weather with some wonderful frosts...

and then, yesterday afternoon, about 4 inches of snow fell in about an hour! Tim, Bridgie and Keith went out in the dark to go sledging and are out in it now!

Fav GG is decorating our tree... we've had real fires to cheer our room... it's been lovely.