Synopsis: Galmpton Creek provides a secluded cove for mid-morning snack. Then on to Greenway for lunch looking out to Kingswear. Finally I take high path through NT woods on to Kingswear.
This was not at all the walk that I’d planned. I woke particularly early with a view to catching a bus to Totnes whereupon I intended to make a 9 o’clock connection with another bus. However the bus that I was travelling on sprung a leak. The lower deck filled water. Well, not exactly filled, but the whole floor area of the lower deck was awash by the time we got to Newton Abbot. The bus driver rang the Exeter depot to report the problem and was told that they’d send down another bus. As soon as I heard that I knew I’d not make my 9 o’clock connection at Totnes, so new walk plans were urgently needed.
A quick check of buses at the Newton Abbot bus station and I saw there was a number 12 waiting there, and I asked if it were going to Brixham and it was. That was my best bet as it would quickly get me travelling in the direction from where there would be numerous walk options.
I checked my map on the bus and made the decision to walk in the direction of Stoke Gabriel, the best bus drop-off point for which would be Goodrington. I was walking by just after 9am. The path ascended the hill behind Goodrington, running past campsites and on through parkland which afforded lovely views back over the wide expanse of Torbay.
Near Stoke GabrielI had wondered for some time whether there were any estuary walks down river of Stoke Gabriel. I had noticed various paths people walked, but when I got there I discovered, as I thought I might, the land was private and you are definitely discouraged from entering. Not a problem, since my alternative option was simply to back track a little and follow the lanes. This worked well as the route was scenic and there was little traffic about.
Galmpton Creek
I arrived at Galmpton (pronounced Gamp-ton I understand) Creek after about 2 hours walking. This is a funny place in that it’s something of a shopping mal, one that you won’t have heard about, unless you have a boat that is. It’s quite a difficult place to get to, unless you come by boat that is. There seem to be numerous ship chandlers about the place. I suppose with Dartmouth just a short paddle down the river, it’s about as good a place as any to set up a ship shop.
Greenway, Torbay
Although I had set out from Exeter in glorious early morning sun on what was promised to be a sunny day, on arriving in Paignton the sky was overcast and it remained so as I headed on my out on my walk. I wasn’t too perturbed as I was reasonably confident this was a little local weather that would soon be overtaken with some finer weather. I was proven right, because by the time I was entering Greenways I was bathed in glorious sun.
Greenway, Torbay. Lunch spot. Overlooking the River Dart, facing Kingswear and Dartmouth.
On arriving at Greenway I’m greeted with a, “How did you arrive? Oh, you walked.” Was it really that obvious? :-) The magnolias in the grounds of Greenway were looking marvellous. I spent a short time wondering around the garden before searching out a view point at which to perch and eat my lunch. I could see down the River Dart all the way to Kingswear and Dartmouth.
Path to KingswearJust as I was packing my lunch gear back in my rucksack I heard the sound of a stile latch. Looking over to my left I noticed a walker entering the field through a style. It occurred to me that was the path I wanted to be on, and although the National Trust direct you back up the drive of Greenway, I knew I’d much prefer hopping into that field and heading on my way. This wasn’t too difficult, and only involved climbing a gate at the top corner of Greenway. As the field is I think National Trust too, I didn’t think anyone would likely object. If you should want to take the ‘official’ route, this starts from the car park near the entrance at the top of the drive.
Dartmouth, across the riverI knew the route from here reasonably well having walked it before, at least until the point where there is a branch in the path, where one route takes you down to the railway line, and the other route, the ‘high’ route, seemed to direct you along a path through the upper woods owned by the National Trust. As I’d not walked this high route before, I opted for to give it a try. This was a good choice as it offered some nice views out over the River Dart across to Dartmouth. At one point I see the ferry that plies its trade between Greenway Quay and Dartmouth, as used on our trip of March of last year.
A quick check of my bus timetable as I entered Kingswear informed me that there was a bus due out at 3pm, it now being 2:50. I decided that I might as well catch that if I could, so I put on a bit of a spurt that got me to the bus stop just in time.
As on a previous occasion, I got off at Goodrington, walked along the sea front, and caught a bus for Exeter on the Paignton sea front.
Not at all the day that I had in mind, but a great walk all the same. I’ll pocket the walk I’d planned for another day.
Walk Statistics:
Total Distance: 13.9 miles
Moving Time: 4hrs 16min
Stopped Time: 1hr 26min
Total Ascent: 508 metres
Maximum Elevation: 145 metres
Buses: X64, 12, 120 & X46
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