Synopsis: The Longest Day. Well, not quite, but the longest walk for quite some time, as part of training for Sarsen Trail walk this Sunday. Although ostensibly a training exercise, this proved a very nice walk.
(selection of photos from Flickr photo set – use link above to view album)This was another of my ‘training’ walks, in that it formed part of my preparations for the Sarsen Trail walk I’m undertaking on Sunday. And yes, that explains the distance, which is somewhat more than I’ve done in a long while. Although it might seem a daunting walk, today was really very enjoyable, and I came through it with nothing more than a small blister on my little toe. Just goes to show, there’s life in the old dog yet.
Picturesque cottage with Monkey Puzzle tree
My plan was to get to Exmouth by walking over Woodbury Common. From Exmouth my intention was to catch the train home. From home I was walking along busy traffic filled streets until I passed under the M5 motorway when I picked up a lane taking me in the direction of Sowton village. Once in this lane there was only the distant hum of the motorway to disturb the quiet and beauty of the countryside.
The calm of the countryside descended on me as I walked the lanes in the sunshine. I glimpsed through the hedgerow Bishop's Court, not an easy place to photograph as it's not possible to get close to it. Bishop's Court is Grade I Listed and from the listing I read that it's "... now serving in part as a company HQ." It's such an impressive and important building and it's well situated so close to Exeter, I've always been surprised that it's virtually unknown since it's not open to the public. Take a look at its listing entry and it's easy to see just how important a building it is.
After crossing a number of fields I joined a lane and followed this all the way to the main road near Crealy Great Adventure Park. I had to walk a short stretch of this road which wasn’t at all pleasant as it is so busy. There’s a grass verge for most of the way, but it’s not a lot of fun. There could be another way through the Hill Barton Business Park that would bring you out opposite Crealy, but I haven’t verified that.
I followed a lane that passed by the entrance to Crealy Great Adventure Park. Seeing the place again after a number of years absence brought back memories of times spent here with my two daughters. They’re a little too old for such things these days. The lane passed Crealy Meadows caravan park and took me down to a stream, or is that brook?
Footbridge over Grindle Brook
On the OS map a footbridge over Grindle Brook is shown, which is quite correct, but the problem is that what I think was once a step up to it has collapsed, presumably eroded by the rains. A bit of effort was required to climb onto the bridge, but the bridge itself seemed sound enough.
Des res - well, with a bit of work
A path meanders beside the stream a short distance, and then led me past some farm buildings. There I saw this delightful old cottage, in need of some renovation. I’m quite sure it must have been a lovely picture to behold at one time, but now, as you can see, it’s been left to rack and ruin. The next house I passed, just a little way up the hill, was in a different state altogether.
Woodbury Common
Following lanes once again I was soon passing through the delightful village of Woodbury Salterton and beginning my ascent to Woodbury Common. This was to be my one reasonably significant climb of the day. Once on the common the vista changed completely. It was by now a little after 1pm, so I found a spot to sit and eat a quick lunch, with the emphasis on quick.
Woodbury Common - view to the coast
After lunch I followed a track across the common that took me to a firing notice. I had seen the ‘danger area’ markings on the map but had decided to ignore them in in my planning in the hope there wouldn’t be any firing today, which as the flags weren’t flying, there evidently wasn’t. What I would have done if there had been, I suppose could have been either: (1) keep my head down, or (2) detour around the firing range.
Colaton Raleigh parish church
Descending gradually I approached Colaton Raleigh. It has a lovely church in a very picturesque setting. Under normal walking conditions I’d pause to look around, but today I merely took a snap and headed on my way.
River Otter - landslip
It wasn’t long before I picked up the course of the River Otter. A scene of numerous floods this winter just gone by. Today the water babbled gently and looked very tranquil. I did see evidence of the winter storms in this large landslide fallen into the river.
Budleigh Salterton - beach
Easy walking along the banks of the River Otter saw me swiftly into Budleigh Salterton. Everyone looked to be taking their leisurely pleasure in the sun, eating ice creams and basking in the sun. I marched through on my mission, and was soon climbing steadily up the cliffs to the west of the town.
Sandy Bay - Devon Cliffs - Beach Comber
I passed the Devon Cliffs caravan park where I once worked for a while. They’ve replaced the old Beach Comber café with a smart new modern facility, a vast improvement on what went before. Here the coastal path rather oddly follows a course through the tables of the café, but I guess a right-of-way is a right-of-way, whichever way you look at it.
Exmouth - tulips
I was up on the cliffs I knew so well from the days I worked at Devon Cliffs, for I had trudged them morning and night whilst doing my stint as a lifeguard on one of the swimming pools. I felt I was on my homeward straight by now. I stuck to the high path at Orcombe Point, coming down to beach level near the new RNLI lifeboat station. Exmouth seafront was looking quite pretty at this time, decked out in tulips of various colours.
Well, there you have it, all 22.8 miles of it. I was reasonably pleased with my timing on this walk, which I think is just about quick enough for the Sarsen Trail. And as previously said, the day was a lot more enjoyable than I thought it was going to be. Plus the fact that I was feeling quite chuffed with myself, having proven that after all these years, I’m still up to it, just.
Walk Statistics:
Total Distance: 22.8 miles
Moving Time: 7hrs 07min
Stopped Time: 40min
Total Ascent: 607 metres
Maximum Elevation: 177 metres
Buses: (none)
Train: Exmouth to Digby & Sowton (Off peak single - £3.30)
