Two weeks ago, on the bank holiday Monday, I had a wonderful walk through some gorgeous Devon lanes and I was prompted by a certain person (Nina) to show my pics as we both walked the same path within a day of each other!...... If you've never walked Devon lanes, you've missed a treat! They are a place where I find my soul being restored and my spirits lifting. I love the rambleyness (not a real word I know but, there's really no other way to describe them!!) of the hedges and banks, the mixture of colours and textures and the sheer abundance of plants and wildlife...
So, let us begin....
We start at a typical Devon village, a few miles from home, called Cornworthy. After walking through the village and up to the church you turn off the road and into a 'green lane'.....
What a way to begin a walk... the anticipation begins.... and I'm not disappointed....
Notice the colour of the soil here... we have pinky red sheep here as the colour is so strong. Many of the cliffs around the coast are also red in colour
I couldn't resist a picture of this chocolate box cottage... isn't it beautiful? I allowed myself to dream for a while and imagine myself living in this charming cottage... cat nestled up on the hearth in front of the aga... the smell of baking filling the house, cottagy plants of every variety spilling out of every flower bed .... ahhhhhhh!!!
The hedgerow plants are just bursting with life......
... aren't foxgloves amazing? ... just look at that detail
Looking back you get a glimpse of the church standing proud and tall overlooking the village of Cornworthy.
A typical Devon bank.... I love them. Not only do you find them lining either side of a green lane, they also adorn the edges of our lovely little lanes... and when I say little, I mean little.. imagine a single track road with 7 or 8 feet tall hedges either side, just bursting with colour, and just the odd passing place... you really have to be good at reversing when you live in Devon....!!
All of a sudden the narrow green lane ends and the vista opens up... and there is the river Dart... What a fab place to camp... right on the rivers' edge...
... looking back up the river towards another little village called Stoke Gabriel...
Time to climb one of many little stiles....
Isn't this beautiful and so typically English?
The path then follows the river but is nestled in between beautiful Beech trees....
This dappled shade is gorgeous.....
Can you hear the birds singing and the leaves rustling..... peep through the trees to catch glimpses of the river.... stop a while and drink it in.....
Blossoming hedgerows.....
... over the stile....
... and out by the river again...... I was looking out for Ratty and Moley all the way!!!
River peeps....
A few small obstacles on the way....!
A wander through a field full of buttercups......
... a meander down a tree lined path....
... and you're suddenly next to the river at a riverside village called Tuckenhay (a couple of great pubs there if you've got time for a munch!)
.... Just look at this house.... 'Yes', I was dreaming yet again... how lovely would it be to have this view everyday? ... I was planning where my studio would be... overlooking the river of course. What inspiration!!!
Oh, but this one is gorgeous too.... now I'm torn! Which one would you choose?
Ah yes, I forgot... there's my little boat moored up too... ready for a Swallows and Amazons adventure!
The candles are lit on the conker trees...
Reluctantly, I pull myself away from my dreaming and move on... up the steps and over yet another stile...
... and up a VERY steep hill..... but, just look at this view... right over the village and the meandering river... I had plenty of time to admire this view as I collapsed in a heap at the top!
Moving on, and here is a typical Devon view....
... down another hedge lined green lane....
... bursting with life....
... final glimpses of the river.....
... and back to the countryside of Cornworthy....
I hope you have enjoyed this little walk and that is has whetted your appetite for a visit to Beautiful Devon.... Let me know when you're coming... I'll dig out the maps and walking boots and join you!
