Jul 6 / Administrator

26th June to 3rd July – Devon

June was generally a quiet month as Annie continued her recovery. We did get out and about for short walks and a couple of trips to the Country Club for a steam room and swim. Annie attended an outpatients’ clinic and was told she was making good progress (still not quick enough for Annie). On the strength of that we decided to go to our favourite campsite in Devon at Harford Bridge. Camping was out of the question so we rented a large static caravan that had plenty of space on all mod cons. We were there a week and the weather was generally very kind to us.

We managed quite a few walks building up to 3 miles plus across moorland with some rough ground and gentle slopes. We saw some lovely scenery at Noss Mayo, Dartmouth including Dartmouth Castle as well as the National Trust House at Coleton Fishacre which had belonged to the Doyle Carte Family. The gardens were lovely although we did endure a very heavy shower.

Our first real walk was a circular walk from Chagford and along the river Teign. We started from a del;ightful octagonal building called the pepperpot in the centre of the village and headed downhill to a valley where we walked through trees along the river.

It was so nice to be out in the fresh air away from people and surrounded by such lovely countryside. The fact that it rained so heavily that we had to put on our over-trousers did not spoil it.

The next day we walked from the village of Aveton Gifford.

The first part of the walk was along a lane by the estuary of the River Avon (The Devon Avon!). The lane was tidal and could be covered at high tide.

The walk then climbed up a path that went by the name of Drunkards Hill and we eventually returned across country and a gentle descent to our starting point where we enjoyed a picnic in the sunshine.

Our next walk was around the Quarry and stone tramway at Haytor. We both thoroughly enjoyed the walk and marveled at the stone tracks including points. It was a real feat of engineering when built in the 19^th century. We then came across 2 deep pools well hidden by quarry spoil heaps that were a haven for wild life. Some children on a school trip delighted in showing us leeches, newts and tadpoles at various stages of development.

Annie’s sister Pam and husband Neil joined us for dinner one evening at the Mary Tavy Inn. Again a favourite eating place of ours and well worth a visit if you are in the area – great welcome, great food and great prices – what more could a man want!

Our final day saw us do part of one of our favourite walks to the church at Brentor unusually the weather was fantastic! Annie happily climbed to the church where we enjoyed spectacular views under a cloudless sky. Wondering what we could do for the afternoon we decided to head for Restormel Castle at Lostwithiel in Cornwall. It was a round castle and really worth a visit (no crowds and good weather.