A small, select group enjoyed an excellent five night stay with four excellent walking days in the South Hams of Devon.
We were based at the Stoke Lodge Hotel in Stoke Fleming. The rooms were comfy, packed lunches good, breakfast and dinners excellent and the staff unfailingly pleasant and helpful. Thanks very much!!
The walks:
On Monday we walked in the rain - along the shores of Slapton Ley where we saw Cetti's Warblers, Crested Grebe, Willow Warblers and Sedge Warblers. We visited the charming village of Slapton (where we were warmly welcomed at the Queens Arms) and walked the coast around Strete and beautiful Blackpool Sands. The rain stopped at lunch time and we arrived back at Stoke Lodge dry!!
Tuesday was truly a 'red letter day'. One of those walking days you dream of. Bright sunshine, great views and lots of wildlife. We started at Prawle Point and walked via Lannacombe Bay, Start Point, Hallsands and Beesands to Torcross. Between Lannacombe Bay and Start Point we spotted a number of buzzards and had a wonderful view of a Peregrine Falcon. At Start Point no fewer than ten grey seals were basking on the rocks. We disturbed an adder basking on the path. The walk ended well too, with an excellent cuppa at the Sea Breeze tearoom.
Wednesday dawned bright and sunny. We walked the coast from Stoke Fleming to Dartmouth, climbed Dyer's Hill for superb views of the Dart Estuary before crossing the ferry to Kingswear. From Kingswear we walked to the National Trust house and gardens at Coleton Fishacre, always a hit. Pricy giftshop though!
Thursday was bright and breezy, we had a truly spectacular walk from Hope Cove to Salcombe around Bolt Tail and Bolt Head. The wind kept the buzzards at home but brought out the kestrels. Only one blight on the day - the South Sands ferry had broken down which necessitated a mile's tarmac to finish off the walk. A Salcombe Dairy ice cream was sufficient compensation though!
1 comment:
I think it was 3 years ago that my friend, Trish, and I did the South Devon tour with Footpath Holidays. The countryside is beautiful, with views of the water from almost everywhere we walked, and the seaside towns are charming. If I had to find a word to describe South Devon, it would be 'idyllic.' I also found South Devon memorable for its role in the Pilgrims' voyage to America. Our guide was friendly and knowledgeable and we found it to be a most enjoyable experience.
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