29 March 2009 – Walk: Broadclyst & Killerton (9.2 miles)

Synopsis:  A local walk, just a five mile drive down the road to Broadclyst. Includes visit to Killerton House (National Trust) and Poltimore village and church.

Photo Set – Flickr -:- (Map)

GPS Tracklog Download (.gpx) Microsoft OneDrive -:- Google Drive

 

Tracklog and Photos - Google My Map

Tracklog overlay - OSM – ViewRanger -:- OS – WheresThePath

 

(selection of photos from Flickr photo album – use link above to view album)

This was another combination day out, in that it included a cross-country walk and a visit to the gardens of Killerton House. The inspiration for this walk was the sight of glorious magnolias in flower at Greenway the previous weekend. The word is that it is a good year for magnolias, so a quick Google the previous night threw up Killerton and my day was set. Checking maps I could see footpaths leading to and from Broadclyst, which on paper would give me a 7 mile walk (in boots they’re always longer for some reason). The weather was set fair, so there really was no excuse, not even the tiredness from the previous day’s gardening!

Red Lion pub, Broadclyst

I park not far from the Red Lion pub, an old faithful house of refreshment often frequented in times long past. Well, I’m middle-aged now, and don’t get out much these days.   It’s quite picturesque here by the pub and church, so I take a few photos before setting off. The walking is surprisingly dry and easy going.

 

 

 

In preparing this walk I was a little concerned about the fact that I’m in the valley of the M5 motorway, which on the surface hardly seems appealing. But out on the walk I find that the motorway is mostly quite unobtrusive, and it’s only when right on top of it that the rush of traffic becomes an aggravation and a blight. The countryside is beautiful and it makes me wonder at all these people rushing through it never seeing Devon for what it is.

Killerton House, National Trust

I have a funny relationship with Killerton, as I did not at first warm to the place, and yet over the years I’ve begun to appreciate it more and more. I think it is only now that I am able to appreciate the elegance in its simplicity of style. Must be one of the (few) benefits of age. The gardens showcase the magnolias and rhododendrons beautifully, set across the hillside as they are. A glorious place to sit and each my lunch, a country squire for a moment (in my dreams) Apparently a National Trust property clocks £3 if I present myself, as a member at the entrance, so I feel duty bound to give Killerton my little support.

Poltimore Church

I came upon Poltimore Church a couple of weeks back, whilst out cycling, and decided I must pay it a second visit. It seems to me a little gem of a church. So charming and atmospheric. The rood screen is ancient, circa 1520 apparently. The church is dark, lit on my visit by shafts of sunlight. There’s a peculiar little gallery forming a second storey within the church. And on each side of the altar there are tile paintings which I think are rather pleasing.

 

 

 

 

Walk Statistics:

Total Distance: 9.2 m
Moving Time: 3hrs 36min
Stopped Time: 1hr 8min
Total Ascent: 260 metres
Maximum Elevation: 100 metres

27 March 2009 – Walk: Ivybridge to Ermington (8.8 miles)

Synopsis:  Ivybridge is very accessible by bus, and hence this walk was chosen as my first sample of the ‘Downloadable Walks’ from the South Devon Area of Outstanding Beauty web site.

Photo Set – Flickr -:- (Map)

GPS Tracklog Download (.gpx) Microsoft OneDrive -:- Google Drive

 

Tracklog and Photos - Google My Map

Tracklog overlay - OSM – ViewRanger -:- OS – WheresThePath

 

(selection of photos from Flickr photo set – use link above to view album)

I selected this walk from the web site of South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty which I’d discovered a couple of weeks back. I noted then just how well their Downloadable Walks were documented, completed with very detailed mapping. The map for this walk is the OS 1/25,000 scale, which is excellent, the Greenway walk is at an even higher scale than this.

Part of the reason for selecting this walk to trial was the ease with which it could be reached on a bus. The Stagecoach X38 out of Exeter stops at the start/finish point of the walk, which meant getting to it without the car was a cinch.

The weather for the day was always going to be in the balance, and proved to be not the sunniest of days. Most of the walk was done in dull light, with occasional rain that was heavy at times. I did at least catch a sunny picnic lunch on a bench at Ermington which is always so much nicer than trying to eat sandwiches in the rain.

Ermington Church lichgate

The church at Ermington is entered through the most grandiose of lichgates, mammoth in size and made of stone instead of the more usual timber construction. Inside the church it is the marble carving at the altar that catches one’s eye. These were apparently done by the Pinwell sisters of this parish, who later went on to produce similar works for many other churches in Devon and Cornwall. This is beautiful work and fine evidence for why their work was in demand.

 

Fleet House

 

 

 

Just past Ermington village I catch glimpses of Fleet House for the first time. This is a large mansion house, consisting of quite a mix of architectural styles. The house is mostly Victorian reworking in the Tudor style. It is in private ownership and I do not think it is open to the public.

Walk Statistics:

Total Distance: 8.8 m
Moving Time: 3hrs 20min
Stopped Time: 47min
Total Ascent: 310 metres
Maximum Elevation: 93 metres

Buses: X38

22 March 2009 – Walk: Exmouth (7.1 miles)

Synopsis:  A pleasant walk that encompasses country and coast. Exmouth looking lovely in the sun, although the sea of caravans at Sandy Bay is something of a blot on the landscape.

Photo Set – Flickr -:- (Map)

GPS Tracklog Download (.gpx) Microsoft OneDrive -:- Google Drive

 

Tracklog and Photos - Google My Map

Tracklog overlay - OSM – ViewRanger -:- OS – WheresThePath

 

            

(selection of photos from Flickr photo set – use link above to view album)

This was a lovely sunny day for a walk, and although tired from the previous day, I felt I just had to be out trekking again. This was a walk I had ‘in the bank’, in that I’d done the planning for it some weeks previous and simply had to load it to my GPS and be on my way.

Exmouth - Orcombe Point

Much of the walk is well known territory, but that didn’t detract from the enjoyment of the day. Although coastal path walking can be strenuous, this is a relatively light walk. I potentially could have used the bus service to Littleham, which was my walk start and end, but it was a Sunday and services aren’t as good as in the week, and quite simply I couldn’t get my head around it, so I took the car. I parked by the church in Littleham, which I stopped to photograph at the end of my walk.

 

Littleham Cove

The most breathtaking of views were those to be had at Littleham Cove, just past Sandy Bay, where a wide sweep of Devon clay cliffs leads the eye off in the direction of Budleigh Salterton. On a day like this, with the bright sun’s rays creating a high pitch of colour, the bay looks incredibly dramatic and yet strangely deserted, due to the inaccessibility of the beach below severely eroded cliffs. There was little breeze and the serenity of the sea seemed to add intensity to the view.

 

 

Walk Statistics:

Total Distance: 7.1 m
Duration: 3 hrs 42 mins
Total Ascent: 435 metres
Maximum Elevation: 131 metres

21 March 2009 - Trip: Greenway, Torbay (80.5 miles)

Greenway Day Out
By
Bus & Ferry

(Proposed day out: 21st March 2009)

 

Greenway is Agatha Christie’s “Loveliest place in the world”. It sits on the banks of the River Dart, with  gardens that run down to the river front. This was Agatha Christie’s summer house, used as a holiday home, not a place of work. The house came into the ownership of the National Trust in 2000, and after a £5.4m restoration, opened to the public on 28th February 2009.

 

Murder on the Stagecoach bus!

You’re invited to come along on a day out that includes travelling by bus, ferry and a little country walking. Greenway, the summer house and gardens of Agatha Christie, will also be visited. 

It’s quite a full day, so an early start is needed. You needn’t feel obliged to come, but if you wish to join me (us), you’re more than welcome.

Murder Most Foul – DVD from Amazon  

I confess, Murder on the Stagecoach Bus doesn’t have quite the same ring to it as the equivalent on the Orient Express, but we’re doing this on a budget. I’m also hoping that we shall keep the ‘murder’ element on this day trip down to a minimum – please do try. This isn’t totally new to me (I’m not talking of murder now!). I did do much of this trip last year (my photos on Flickr), and so I do know that it is both doable and that it makes for a very nice outing. Greenway house was ‘under wraps’ last year, but this year is open to the public.

I’ll briefly describe the plan for the day, and then I’ll go into more detail of what it entails. In terms of cost, there are the following expenditures: (1) an adult day’s pass on Stagecoach will cover all bus travel, and costs £6; (2) the Greenway Ferry Ferry on the River Dart is optional (walking alternative), a single adult fare costs £5 (2008 price); (3) Greenway, National Trust, adult: £7:00, family £17.50; (4) Lunch at Greenway, either in the Barn Cafe or bring a picnic £?; (5) dinner at Cafe Rouge in Exeter, once again I suggest we do this courtesy of Tesco (and yes, I still have some vouchers from Christmas).

There is a choice of options on ways to travel from Greenway to Dartmouth. The easy (or is that lazy) route is to catch the ferry that runs from Greenway Quay. The alternative is to walk a path that follows the river. The walk offers some splendid views of the River Dart, Kingswear and Dartmouth, and is mostly easy going, but there is a bit of a climb out of Greenway that must be tackled early on.

<< Detailed Plan of Day Trip to Greenway >>

7:10 – 7:49 X64 bus, Crematorium, Topsham Road	Bus journey from Exeter to Newton Abbot (arrives Newton Abbot Council Offices)
7:56 – 8:44 12 bus, Newton Abbot, Knowles Hill, Cricket Surgery (opp) (runs every 10 minutes)	Bus journey from Newton Abbot to Broadsands Possibly have some breakfast in Newton Abbot at a cafe; the recommendation from the staff at the Tourist Information Centre is ASDA (0.4 miles, approx. 8 minute walk from bus stop)
8:44 – 10:30 Broadsands Distance: 2.1 miles	Walk to Greenway along country lanes, through the village of Galmpton. Some gentle ascents, but nothing too strenuous (promise!). Greenway house open 10:30-5:00. (map of walk route)
10:30 – 13:30 Greenway House	House and gardens of Greenway. Lunch can be had in the Barn Cafe (licensed), or a picnic can be had in the gardens.
13:30 – 14:00 Greenway ferry	River Link ferry from Greenway Quay to Dartmouth, for those not wishing to do the walk.
13:00 – 14:45 Distance: 4.1 miles	Walk along the banks of the River Dart to Kingswear. (map of walk route)
time-of-arrival to 16:20	Time spent in Dartmouth and Kingswear.
16:20 – 16:40 120 bus, Kingswear Banjo	Bus journey from Kingswear to Paignton
16:45 – 17:16 12 bus, Paignton Bus Station (runs every 10 minutes)	Bus journey from Paignton to Cary Parade, Torquay.
17:40 – 18:42 X46 bus, Torquay Strand	Bus journey from Torquay to Exeter Bus Station.
18:42 – whenever	Dinner at Cafe Rouge
Whenever H (1 or 2) bus, Cheeke Street	Journey home

 Agatha Christie’s mysterious disappearance

For anyone wishing to get into 1920s mood for this trip, there will be a special DVD screening (probably at Mum’s) of the Agatha film the night before the trip. A little word of warning: the film is not deco period glitz, but tells the story of a rather dark episode in Agatha Christie’s life, when, upon discovering her husband’s infidelity with Nancy Neele in 1926, Agatha disappeared for 11 days, which is still something of a mystery to this day. 

 

 

 

 

 

“On December 4th, 1926, Agatha Cristie, the world’s greatest mystery writer, disappeared. What may have happened during the next eleven days is far more suspenseful than anything she ever wrote.”

 

This day is obviously weather dependent, and I shall postpone it if the weather forecast is not good for the planned day of the excursion. If I have to postpone the trip, I will post a notice on this blog. Please check this blog or your email just prior to the event to determine what the latest position is. I shall set the traffic light at the top of this page to red should I have to cancel the day.
 

GPS Tracklog Download (.gpx) Microsoft OneDrive -:- Google Drive

 

Bus stops, walk routes, etc - Google My Map

Tracklog overlay on Ordnance Survey OS 2 -:- OS 3

Agatha Christie, in her own words - 1955 radio interview / Agatha Christie quiz - quiz4fun.com

21 March 2009 – Agatha Christie’s Greenway - A Day Out

Synopsis: A day out by bus, travelling to Torbay. We first visited Greenway (NT), the holiday home of Agatha Christie. We then caught a ferry from Greenway Quay down to Dartmouth.

Photo Set – Flickr -:- (Map)

GPS Tracklog Download (.gpx) Microsoft OneDrive -:- Google Drive

 

Tracklog and Photos - Google My Map

Tracklog overlay - OS – WheresThePath

 

(selection of photos from Flickr photo album – use link above to view album)

This 'Mothering Saturday' day out seemed to go as well as I might have hoped. The weather was brilliant, Greenway looked marvellous, the food and drink was good, and the company excellent. And we didn't miss a connection (just), and made good time on all legs of the journey.

The walking party sets off across Ludwell Valley Park this early Saturday morning.

The day started with the sun coming up over the hills and deep frost on the grass. We were all met up by 6:30 and set off across Ludwell Valley Park for our first bus, the 7:10 to Newton Abbot. By 7:55 we were in ASDA waiting for the cafe to open in 5 minutes, so that we might get some breakfast. We all have a light snack, except Louise who settles on sausage baps. I can sympathize: this early a body needs all the help it can get.

 

 

 

View of Dittisham across the River Dart.

We then return to catch the bus for the next leg of our journey which will take about an hour, a bus trip to Broadsands that will take us along the seafront of Torquay, finally arriving at Broadsands by 9:50. From here we start our walk to Greenway down country lanes, a distance of 2.2 miles, which we cover in 55 minutes, arriving at Greenway by 10:45. On the way we pass the Church of the Good Shepherd, Galmpton. We pass comment on the 'pub of the drunken shepherd'. Apparently the Galmpton church used to be a cider barn, so obviously there's been something of a conversion at this establishment. As we entered the gate of the Greenway estate at the head of Greenway drive we were greeted with a "We like walkers here", which was nice to hear.

Fountain in the Fern Garden, Greenway.

As the house can only accommodate a certain number of visitors at any one time, entrance is by timed ticket, and ours is for 11:20, which gives us a small amount of time to explore some of the garden. Some of the plants in the greenhouse seem to have been hit hard by our long cold winter. From here we walk on to the Fern Garden, and then circle back to the house. We drop our bags in lockers and brush our boots clean, and after an inspection, we're allowed into the house.

 

 

 

Greenway House

 

 

All the furniture was acquired by the National Trust along with the house. There are plenty of Agatha Christie novels filling most of the book shelves. The furniture is just how you would imagine a 50s house to be like. It's easy to picture Agatha reading her novel to her husband who would attempt to solve the mystery. Although a holiday home not a working home, Agatha did apparently do some proof reading whilst at Greenway.

There is a frieze around the wall of the lounge, painted by American troops stationed here during World War II. The person who painted the frieze was a trained artist, and his work is very good, and has survived the years well. It is very evocative of what those times must have been like.

We have a light lunch in the Barn Cafe which is just behind the stables. I have a bottle of Moggie beer, named after the venerable Morris Minor, not the cat. We're running a little late and haven't seen all the garden, so I suggest we postpone our ferry trip to Dartmouth from the original time of 01:30 back to 02:30. We're all agreed with that, and so spend some more time in the garden. A little too much as it happens, as we lose our way trying to get to Greenway Quay, and only arrive just as the last passengers are boarding. We manage to stall the boat departure, purchase our tickets and are on board and away within minutes.

Departing on the Ferry from Greenway Quay.

As the ferry boat casts off we look across to Dittisham on the other side of the River Dart. Then a little further down stream we look up and see Greenway House, perched majestically above the river. It is certainly a location that commands the river. The Greenway boat house comes into sight, which is where I imagine a private boat would have been kept. How handy is that?

 

 

 

 

Dartmouth bandstand

On landing at Dartmouth at 3:00, we take a little stroll around the gardens and through the town, finally purchasing ice creams and eating these on benches by the river front. There's a biting cold wind coming in off the sea, so we're soon looking to be on our way. We board the lower ferry and travel across to Kingswear where we catch a bus (4:00) back to Paignton.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We're running a little early as we arrive in Torquay at 16:50, so we find a cafe on the harbour-side and have tea. We then catch the 17:40 X46 as planned, and head for Exeter. We had dinner at Cafe Rouge in the Exeter city centre, which was a very nice way to end the day. Our final bus of the day was an H1/H2 from the High Street at 9:00 which gets us home by about 9:30.

The day went well, and I think everyone enjoyed themselves. The weather was gorgeous, and Greenway proved a lovely place to visit. It was a long day, and quite tiring, but worth the effort. Thanks to everyone that came and made this such a splendid day. I wonder if this might set a 'Mothering Saturday' trend in our family. Well, who wants to be conventional anyway?

The planning behind this trip can be seen here as another blog post for this same day.

Journey Statistics:

Total Distance: 80.5 m Walk from Broadsands to Greenway:
Distance: 2.2 miles
Duration: 55 mins
Average Speed: 2.4 mph
Total Ascent: 74.4 metres
Maximum Elevation: 71 metres

Ferry from Greenway Quay to Dartmouth
Distance: 2.5 miles
Duration: 30 mins

Buses: X64, 12, 120, X46, H1/H2

14 March 2009 – Grand Western Canal & Knightshayes (14.6 Miles)

Synopsis: A walk along the tow-path of the Grand Western Canal followed by a short visit to the gardens at Knightshayes (NT). Continued on into Tiverton to catch a bus back to Exeter.

Photo Set – Flickr -:- (Map)

GPS Tracklog Download (.gpx) Microsoft OneDrive -:- Google Drive

 

Tracklog and Photos - Google My Map

Tracklog overlay - OS – WheresThePath

 

(selection of photos from Flickr photo set – use link above to view album)

This was an interesting combination of walk and garden visit. The walking was along the the Grand Western Canal (GWC), and the garden visited was that at Knightshayes (National Trust). The day was forecast to be cloudy in the morning, with sun coming by the afternoon, but, still in my pyjamas, I peeked my head through the curtains, and was greeted with the sun having risen first thing, so I thought I should be second thing and got up at 6:40.

Daffodils on the Grand Western Canal.

It was a bit of a dash, as I knew I had to catch the number 1 bus from Exeter bus station, so had to get my skates on. I had little idea what to do the night before, as nothing was coming into mind despite staring at various maps. I took some bus timetable and maps with me to bed (as you do), and it was then that I hit upon the idea of a garden visit, as there should be daffodils about, and Knightshayes seemed a good choice. But I felt I needed some exercise too, and suddenly it all fell into place. I could see a way of walking a stretch of the Grand Western Canal near Tiverton, where there might also be daffodils, then break off from here for Knightshayes. A combination walk/garden day!

The bus up to the walk start took me through Willand and Uffculme, villages I don’t know well, but they look idyllic. It is however alarming how the bus shims its way down the village streets with only inches to spare. The stop-off point for me was to be Tiverton Parkway, as it’s only a short hop from here to join the GWC.

Sampford Peverell church

Early into my trek the GWC passes through the village of Sampford Peverell, the church no distance away, the cemetery running down to the canal. The graveyard inhabitants must be dipping their toes in the water – they’ll catch their death!

Just on from where the church of Sampford Peverell meets the GWC is a weeping willow that lies aslant the Grand Western Canal. Ok, I confess I never would have made a poet!

There are quite a few cyclists and dog walkers pass me by as I walk the GWC. It’s an ideal place for both of these activities, and fishing too. And I note that pubs, cafes and toilets are well signposted all along the way, so whatever your favoured recreation, you should find yourself well catered for.

 

 

I’m impressed by the engineering feats of these proto-roadmen which are evident to me a I walk the canal. Not only are there numerous bridges, but whole valleys have been spanned by earthwork embankments of some considerable scale, such that the need for locks is completely negated. A boatman could sail on through unhindered, leaving his wife at home, and have not a care in the world – perfect peace and tranquillity!

Chettiscombe - quaint in the extreme!

As I approach Tiverton I break off from the GWC and travel some lanes before eventually breaking off across country in the direction of Knightshayes. I come across the most perfect of little hamlets called Chettiscombe right on the doorstep of Knightshayes; quaint in the extreme. I asked a man cutting his hedge how I might best get to Knightshayes. He explained that there is a walk along the forest edge called the Impey Way, and that would be my most direct route. This takes me to the main carpark of Knightshayes. I’m a little embarrassed by my muddy appearance, but I think I might just possibly have sneaked by unnoticed.

 

Knightshayes (National Trust). Daffodils line the entrance drive.

There were swathes of daffodils in flower, but not quite so many as I had thought there would be. I think they are generally a little behind those in Exeter, which are already well advanced. I was surprised to see some of the rhododendrons already in flower, but that was a nice bonus treat. There were also iris and hellebores in flower, and pansies of course. Lovely gardens and a nice way to finish my walk. I have some light refreshments on a bench then I’m on my way into Tiverton. I’m soon on the bus for home.

 

 

 

 

 

A terrific day, especially when I consider I had nothing planned the night before.

Walk Statistics:

Total Distance: 14.6 m
Walk Time: (moving): 5 hrs 26 mins
Walk Time: (stopped): 1 hrs 11 mins
Total Ascent: 426 metres
Maximum Elevation: 161 metres

Bus: Stagecoach 1, 55A and H1/H2