Synopsis: A walk through the two lovely villages of Coffinswell and Stokeinteignhead, and then on to Shaldon, finishing in Torquay. Quiet countryside and busy seaside places.
I needed to get to a post office today, to post my Easter parcels to Helen and Laura, so that rather dictated my choice of walk route for the day. I decided the best plan would be, rather than wait around Exeter for post offices to open, to set out on my walk and take my parcels with me. I discovered Newton Abbot post office (attached to Costcutter store) opened at 8:30 am which was ideal, so I set off for there. I then planned to jump on the next available 12 bus (these run every 10 minutes) and dismount near Kingskerswell for my walk.
Near Kingskerswell - The Dog Poo Fairy
My walk started by the sand quarries, the entrance to which is quite visible from the main Torquay road. I am supposing this is a popular dog walker’s route from the ‘Dog Poo Fairy’ poster that’s pinned to the fencing. I thought this was brilliant and just had to have a photograph of it (sorry!). Well, I’ve never understood those people, admittedly only a small minority, who put dog poo in a bag (usually brightly coloured), and then sling the bag on the ground. What benefit is that to anyone? I suppose the brightly coloured bag helps you avoid stepping in dog poo, but this really does not impress me in the slightest. Apparently the UK’s eight million dogs produce 1,000 tonnes of the stuff each day. Interested in a copy of this poster? Order at Keep Britain Tidy.
Coffinswell
The first village I came upon was that of Coffinswell which is pretty and quiet. It’s tranquillity was particularly striking when only minutes before I had been walking from the very busy A380 road to Torquay. Arriving in Coffinswell is like stepping back into another world.
Blackthorn
Further into this walk, after leaving Higher Rocombe Barton travelling in the direction of Stokeinteignhead, I soon found myself on a track that was in places very muddy. At one point I edged my way along the hedging to avoid the swamp that had collected on the track. All part and parcel of country walking in this many splendored land of ours.
Stokeinteignhead
Stokeinteignhead is a beautiful village full of old rustic cottages. I didn’t really do it justice today, dashing through it as I did, but I had visited here quite recently. The pub looks rather inviting, and maybe I’ll give it a try one day. On walking up a track out of the village I met a man leading a horse. He was most friendly, stopping and chatting for a while. Apparently he was in the process of building a bond with this young (five year old) horse by taking it out for a walk. Apparently this bonding proves in time to be very worthwhile. The horse was to be used in dressage tournaments, and for roaming the countryside at such places as the Lake District. I made the comment that it sounded like a splendid life to me.
The Ness
I decided to take my lunch on the hillside looking down on The Ness as this is such a stunning view from the coast path. There was rather a breeze running along the coast, just enough to keep the air fresh, and a couple of para-gliders were to be seen drifting over the hillside using the updraft to good effect (see photo on Flickr). At this time of year the blackthorn bushes are in full and glorious bloom painting the hillsides in white splashes here and there, each of which was catching the sun beautifully today. It might seem abstruse that a plant named blackthorn should appear so white, but then, I believe the name relates to the colour of its fruit (the sloe) rather than its bloom.
Shaldon - the green
As this was a relatively short walk, I was in Shaldon by just after lunch. I wandered around the village, particularly spending some time around the village green which was looking beautiful. I then considered where to go next. My original intention was to stroll into Teignmouth from where I’d catch the bus home but eventually decided I’d catch the bus into Torquay as I had plenty of time and it was such a glorious day.
Shaldon - church of St Peter the Apostle - John the Baptist font
Spontaneously, and with little time to spare or really do it justice, as I only had five minutes before my bus was due, I wandered into the church of St Peter the Apostle, as visible from the bridge over the estuary. The exterior of this church I feel is rather brutally austere and not at all welcoming, but the interior I discovered has some unusual and rather fetching features. I’d never previously sought to enter the church, but today, as I was about to cross the road, I happened to notice the door ajar and a light was on. I had just time to grab a few photos before I had to be on my way or I’d miss my bus. One feature I noted was that of the font, which is a sculpture of St John the Baptist bearing a clamshell to hold the water. Quite charming!
Torquay - Abbey Gardens - pink tulips
On arriving in Torquay I headed for the Rock Gardens, newly replanted, and took in the view along the seafront. I afterwards headed for the Abbey Gardens which are a favourite of mine, and here the tulips were looking fantastic, particularly those that were bright pink. They had been planted in such big bold splashes that they were catching everyone’s eye as they passed by.
There is normally a lovely pond in these gardens but apparently it has developed a leak and has had to be temporarily drained to investigate the cause, a shame for the ducks and visitors alike.
I did wander up around Torre Abbey to see if I could enter the gardens as these had been closed for quite some time. As I suspected, visiting the gardens now requires an entrance fee, admittedly a modest £2.50 today, but at one time it was possible to wander around the gardens for free. I looked through some peep holes in the garden wall, and, sadly, just as I expected, there was just one couple in the gardens when once there would have been any number of people taking pleasure in them. A sign of the times I fear; a price on everything.
A very relaxing walk on a warm and sunny spring day. A nice mix of peaceful countryside and rather bustling (the schools had broken up for Easter) seaside places.
Walk Statistics:
Total Distance: 8.0 miles
Moving Time: 3hrs 21min
Stopped Time: 50min
Total Ascent: 403 metres
Maximum Elevation: 174 metres
Buses: D, 39, 12, 11 & X46
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