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This week we set off from Okehampton Station and walked up the west bank of the East Okement River and then crossed over to the Nine Maidens Stone Circle before taking a big loop back . . .

And here’s the elevation plot against distance.   It’s got quite a few tough-going little ramps, very yoyo-esque, and can be very wet underfoot.   But it’s well worth the effort . . .

Altogether we climbed 283 metres up and 283 metres down over 9.82 km and took us 4 hours almost to the second.

The last view of Okehampton looking back . . .

Nothing magic about these mushrooms . . .

Jasper was having a good run.   Definitely not interested in pacing himself: oh, to be young again . . .

The weather was a bit of a pick-and-mix with the occasional bit of sunshine breaking through the clouds, and it timed it perfectly just as we were passing this beautiful meadow to light up some lovely Autumnal trees . . .

Then we came across a farm that had loads of random breeds of chickens (sorry about the chicken wire playing havoc with the focus). . .

I really liked this little one, it was soooo fluffy and cute . . .

Ball Hill Viaduct over which the train comes into town . . .

The old ford, which, thankfully, we won’t be wading across today . . .

The river begins to get really pretty from here . . .

But don’t forget to shut the gates on the way . . .

There’s some nice stalactites growing in the arches . . .

And a look back to see the sunny side . . .

And then we’re off up the river bank path . . .

It really is a lovely place to walk . . .

The sun kept on teasing us . . .

This bit looked quite sketchy to walk on, especially with all the water and leaves on the stones, but there was still plenty of grip . . .

Dazzling . . .

I love these old mossy stone walls . . .

And now we get a really steep bit: up, up and away from the river . . .

For a great view of the little waterfall . . .

And some more mushrooms . . .

Then we crossed over the river and kept on climbing up.   This photo shows the view down into the valley we just walked up . . .

Watchet Hill Cottage . . .

East Bowden Wood and the view up the river . . .

Still climbing up as i look back down . . .

Higher Halstock Farm from the East. . .

The first rainbow of the day . . .

Tor’s End and Belstone Common Tor . . .

Belstone Tor, Higher Tor and i’m guessing the one on the right is Winter Tor . . .

Nine Maidens, three men, one dog, and . . .

a cow . . .

Then we walked down towards Cullever Steps . . .

Irishman’s Wall with Higher Tor on the right and Belstone Tor to the left . . .

Okehampton Parish Boundary . . .

Higher Halstock Farm from the South . . .

The rainbow came back with a full-on primary bow and a faint secondary bow . . .

There be a pot of gold and a leprechaun around here somewhere . . .

From the top of the hill this would be an amazing view on a clear day . . .

Today we just got the last bit of rainbow . . .

Panda cow . . .

The hawthorns have lost all their leaves already, but there’s plenty of haws left for the birdies . . .

Heading down to The Halstock & Blackertor studs at Lower Halstock Farm . . .

The farm is all about breeding and showing bonsai horses . . .

1, 2, 3, altogether now, awwwwww, so cute . . .

The farm from the North . . .

Wait for me . . .

Our last view of the moors today . . .

As Okehampton appears in the distance with another tiny slice of rainbow. . .

I was very happy to be going down the hill . . .

That middle tree was just showing off . . .

I’m awarding this “Cottage of the Day” . . .

And this be “Hawthorn of the Day” . . .

Nearly back . . .

Just a little further . . .

And thus endeth this walk . . .

A really good and colourful autumn walk.   Shout out to Andrew for leading us around and pointing lots of things out along the way, thank you.   I’ll definitely be suggesting we go back in Spring to see all the Spring colours, buds and flowers.

See soon.

This week we had a walk around the River Exe and Exeter Ship Canal paths.

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Here’s the approximate route we took.   I forgot to turn my Garmin on so had to make it up as best i could plotting it out at home . . .

Most of the area we’ll be walking through today is Riverside Valley Park, which is run by Devon Wildlife Trust . . .

We had a lovely couple of quackers to send us on our way . . .

Plenty of water going over the wear with some nice graffiti to cheer the place up . . .

I don’t think new buildings will look this good in 245 years . . .

Trews Weir Memorial Park . . .

The first random hat of the day . . .

The trees are still mostly hanging onto their green along this bit of the Exe . . .

A lovely view of the cathedral towers with St Leonard’s Church tower in front . . .

And a couple of cygnets up by the canal, there was a third one but it didn’t want to be in the photo . . .

Mummy and Daddy decided to show of and do some synchronised head waving for the camera . . .

Not to be outdone by a couple of head waving swans, the moorhens chose to really show off with some synchronised swimming . . .

It’s almost as bad as Exmouth graffiti, almost . . .

Just in case anyone was tempted . . .

Alphin Brook hiding amongst the trees . . .

Today’s lunch break was at this house of refreshment . . .

An old phone box poking above the hedge . . .

Turned out to be a flower arrangement.   I’ve seen these converted into many things, usually village book banks, and other really useful things, even a tropical fish tank (amazing), this one looks the saddest so far . . .

Nice to see they made a bit more effort on the Autumnal wreath for the door: pretty . . .

Yes, it’s the Double Locks . . .

Due to it being next to the double locks on the Exeter Ship Canal . . .

To the picnic area with our own packed lunches: naughty us . . .

After lunch we kept walking South to Bridge Road to cross over to the other side of the Exe for the walk back . . .

And were immediately treated to this stunning show off of leaves . . .

The weather to the West didn’t look too great, but thankfully it never came our way . . .

A lovely little birch tree reminding us that Winter is coming . . .

A fair bit of history around Countess Wear . . .

Seeing how the other half live . . .

Cottage of the day award goes to the one with the new roof . . .

And some more history of this old part of Exeter . . .

There are still places producing paper in this way, Two Rivers Paper Mill in Somerset are still making handmade rag paper at their 400 year old mill.   Click on link if you’re interested in learning more, and visit Jackson’s if you’d like to buy some of this high quality paper . . .

The mill pool above the mill . . .

And the leat that flows into it . . .

Temptation . . .

And onto the path that runs alongside the Crematorium.   The gardens of remembrance are really nice: a delightful splash of colourful trees . . .

The second random hat of the day.   This was outside the gardens, on the path we were walking along.   Not sure what it’s about: but two random hats in one walk . . .

Autumn berries . . .

And into Belle Isle Park . . .

And finally back to the Quay for a nice sit down and cuppa in this lovely arch conversion . . .

It’s so cosy, and if you like cafes that are full of random things then this is for you . . .

And that concludes this Wonderful Walk.   I think Devon’s trees still have some way to go with their Autumnal colours, so i’m looking forward to some more colourful walks over the next few weeks.

See soon.

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Here’s the route we took.   We had started at Dawlish Warren train station, but i forgot to start the Garmin until we walked a while . . .

The sea was rather vigorous and the weather wasn’t the greatest when we started out, drizzly and chilly, but the weather forecast said it wasn’t going to last and it would be better later . . .

A beautiful view.   Yeah, grock season is finally over . . .

Who photographs the photographers?   It’s Val, who planned and scouted today’s walk . . .

Sainsburys have some nice wall art, full blown “Ogden-esque” . . .

Some great dustbins . . .

And a unicorn too (yes, they obviously do exist) . . .

Hedge tunnel . . .

This bramble was trying to have one last try before winter . . .

Tora enjoying walking with her muddy feet . . .

Langdon Hospital, which the NHS describes as Forensic mental health (inpatient) . . .

Some lovely countryside art that someone carved on a wooden post . . .

Where we stopped to eat our packed lunches . . .

While we were eating lunch this place decided to start smoking . . .

Signs, signs, signs, signs . . .

After all the signs telling us what we shouldn’t be doing, we finally arrive at Cofton Holiday Park where they have some lovely pretties . . .

A play area for toddlers . . .

And some fountain thing (no water now the grocks have gone), though i’m not sure what the christmas trees have to do with it . . .

And a nice cafe bar area to sit and have another break . . .

On the way out of Cofton there was this lovely old chapel, belonging to St. Mary . . .

Along with pipe organs and bell towers, my other favourite thing about these older churches/chapels are their doors . . .

Some history for those who enjoy that kind of thing . . .

This looks like fun for children . . .

The overhead view of Cofton Holiday Park . . .

As we wander along this lovely footpath . . .

And then we find a piano, a bright pink piano, in the middle of the woods, random! . . .

The trees are slowly beginning to get their Autumn plumage . . .

Across the estuary to Exmouth.   My house is about the exact centre of the photo . . .

Starcross is still a bit of a way off . . .

But first we must get through Cockwood, where i find the nicest cottage of the day.   One would think they would find somewhere for the unsightly bins though . . .

Then we came across this tree with these tiny pears on it.   Pyrus salicifolia . . .

Some interesting stuff to read about the local fauna and flora . . .

And then we finally get to Starcross where we all go our seperate ways after another great day out in the beautiful and interesting Devon countryside.

The train station shelter was all done up in giant murals, so i had to take my last few photos before putting my camera away for the journey home . . .

All in all, a great day out.   The weather did get much better and the coats soon got taken off.

And a big thanks to Val for planning this walk out for us all to enjoy.

See ya all soon.

My first real outing into the countryside with my camera: exciting!

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Here’s the route we took . . .

Yeah, we took a little wrong turn, ergo the dogleg at the top.   I think the footpath sign was either missing or covered over by the hedgerow.

The walk out of Bickleigh was fairly easy alongside the River Dart . . .

It’s starts as a lovely gentle uphill, which belies what comes later on as we head up the hill to Cadeleigh . . .

This is my favourite photo of the day . . .

Not sure who likes to shower outside here, but each to their own . . .

Strange place to grow . . .

Just ignore it, we did, LOL . . .

What a lovely place to live . . .

Such a beautiful farm yard . . .

I think this is West Barton Farm . . .

But i do wonder how many farms have tennis courts . . .

Just a lovely Devon Valley . . .

Awwww, when he spotted a vegan he came over to say hello . . .

As we headed up higher the views get better . . .

A lovely Devon cottage in Cadeleigh . . .

I asked one of the Cadeleigh locals what the sign meant, and he had no idea there was any kind of sign coming into the village.

The Cadeleigh Arms has seen some much, much better days, in desperate need of some tlc . . .

And now we get to St. Bartholomew’s Church, where we sat and had lunch in the grave yard.   You can read all about it’s history and architecture over at Historic England

The nice thing about these out-of-the-way village churches is that they tend to not lock them up and you can have a peek inside.   And they’ve got a nice looking, little pipe organ . . .

Memorial to Sir Simon Leach . . .

The bell tower . . .

The statue is St Anthony with his pig . . .

The bell tower’s door with beerstone arch . . .

The ivy in the graveyard has taken over a little bit . . .

Our two doggy friends were having a great day out enjoying the last of the summer sunshine . . .

Edward vii . . .

A buzzard out hunting, or maybe just enjoying some fun in the thermals . . .

On the way back to Bickleigh there was this lovely old Foden truck . . .

I thought this was some fair ground fortune tellers trailer so Rima can shift her tent and trinkets around, but, alas, i was wrong.

Rima Staines is an artist . . .

Gerroff my land!!!   Nice to see people still have scarecrows . . .

No expense spared on the signage . . .

And this pretty little plant is a Cyclamen hederifolium

And we finally end up back where we started at Bickleigh Bridge.   It was rebuilt in 1809, so well over 200 years old . . .

And that is all we have time for this week.   Hope you enjoyed this little taste of beautiful Devon.

See soon.