Synopsis: A walk undertaken using the train as transport. Travelled on the Tarka Line to Morchard Road. Followed a circular walking route taking in Down St Mary and Zeal Monachorum. Mild, sunny and soggy.
A bit of a dash to put this walk together during the morning of the day itself. I had decided on using the train as transport out and back for a change from the bus, my more usual mode of transport. I had originally thought I could have caught the train back from Lapford, but it appears very few trains stop there. A quick last minute modification was required to my route, to turn it into a loop walk, which nearly caused me to miss my 11:10am train out. The planned walk route was to be 8 miles and I hoped to catch the 16:16 train home, so that meant there’d be little time to dawdle.
Down St Mary - Church - carved bench end showing man with whip
I climbed steadily out of Morchard Road until I came to Down St Mary where I noticed the church of St Mary unceremoniously clad in corrugated steel. Obviously some major restoration work under way. I decided to look in, and I was very pleased I did. The church interior is charming.
The first interesting thing I noted was how splendid the bench end carvings are. These are some of the finest that I’ve come across in Devon. Cornwall has a number of churches noted for their wood carvings, but they’re not so common in Devon. There’s one particular carving of a man wielding a very nasty looking whip, and it’s right by the door; perhaps a timely warning to those entering the church.
Down St Mary - Church - interesting and unusual marble wall surrounding altar
Other noteworthy things in the church include a very ornate pulpit, unusual marble work around the alter table, and patterning in the roof and arches. There was probably more, but I was in rather a hurry.
Sunlight sparkling on the River Yeo
From Down St Mary I travelled through very typical mid-Devon countryside of verdant rolling hills. The day seemed to be brightening and the sun, though struggling, was putting in the occasional appearance, which it was doing to great effect.
Zeal Monachorum - Lunch stop on Jubilee Bench
I intended to make Zeal Monachorum my lunch stop. I discovered a very pleasant Jubilee bench in the sun just below the church which made a perfect place to hastily devour my meagre rations.
Zeal Monachorum - church
The interior of the church at Zeal Monachorum is rather stark, which considering it’s setting in such a pretty village is perhaps surprising. The font looked rather interesting, having markings that suggest it is of early origin, although it has been scrubbed up brilliant white.
From Zeal Monachorum my path took me out the back of the village, over a hill, down across a stream and then up over another hill. This is where my path was at its soggiest, but then, I wouldn’t be much of a walker if I weren’t prepared for such conditions.
This was when something happened that has been the saddest thing to happen to me in all my years of walking. I stumbled upon a fallow deer, probably sleeping just a matter of a few metres from where I walked. Of course the deer was alarmed and darted away from me up the hill in the direction in which I was walking. I knew I had to cross a road ahead and hoped the deer would turn back into the woods rather than attempt to cross it, but it darted into the road just as a car came rushing by. I heard a thud, and feared the worst, although I couldn’t see what had happened. I stepped into the road and there the deer lay quite still. There was little sign of injury but it’s neck must have been broken by the impact. I could do nothing more than drag its body back into the woods where I let it lie on the forest floor. A sad end for such a beautiful animal.
Approaching Morchard Road - sunset over a fishing lake
On my approach into Morchard Road the sun was already beginning to set. How short the days are at this time of year. The setting sun cast a lovely light across a fishing lake that I walked by.
I made good time and just arrived at Morchard Road railway station in time for my 16:16 train as planned. Ten brisk miles walked in just over 4 hours. I felt well exercised, and being out in the quiet countryside had rejuvenating effect on me.
Walk Statistics:
Total Distance: 10.0 miles
Moving Time: 3hrs 47min
Stopped Time: 31min
Total Ascent: 443 metres
Maximum Elevation: 164 metres
Train Journey Time: 45 minutes each way
Buses: (none); Trains: Digby/Sowton to Morchard Road, on the Tarka Line (£6.50 – off-peak day return)
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