May 2016 – Devon and Cornwall

Given the uncertainties about Gerry’s ongoing investigations and treatment we continued our principle of getting away with a week in a mobile home at our favourite Devon campsite at Harford Bridge.

The weather was interesting in that the forecast seemed to be wrong on every single day. However, waterproof trousers and tops kept us dry once we had got them on!

We did some of our favourite walks at Lerryn, and Lanhydrock to Restormel Castle in Cornwall and also Chagford, Dr Blackall’s Drive and Brentor in Devon. Restormel Castle, Mevagissey and the river at Mary Tavy were particularly beautiful.

 

More amazingly, 2016 is certainly the year of the bluebell as well as wild garlic and buttercups. We were amazed at the blue hue of the countryside – the bluebells seemed to be everywhere.  The hedgerows were also often a blend of many colours and a joy to behold.

On another day we travelled from Gunnislake to Plymouth on the Tamar Valley railway line. It was quite an interesting trip but the most stunning part was the Calstock viaduct 120 feet above the River Tamar. Plymouth Railway Station was an absolute concrete monstrosity from the 1960’s (I assume) and, as we did not want to walk into Plymouth, we returned on the next train but then went to Calstock  to view the viaduct properly.

Our walk up the hill to the Church on Brentor revealed that the church is covered in scaffolding as the roof lifted during a gale. It is quite a feat as the materials have to be taken up the hill by tractor and trailer and then the scaffolding has to be weighted down by tanks filled with water. Having completed our walk one day we returned on the Sunday evening to attend a sung evensong.  There were about 12 people there with a battery powered key board and gas lighting.  Gerry was asked to read a lesson which made it even more special.

Annie’s sister Pam and husband Neil visited us on one afternoon and we then enjoyed a meal together at the Mary Tavy Inn just up the road. Our week was over very quickly and we returned to Fairford via Bristol and a short visit to see our grandson Oscar.