15 October 2019
After days and days of relentless Devon rain the forecast came good so a walk was compulsory. This little trek, 1.6 miles, needed to be achieved to complete the Cawsand to Stoke beach section. The ferry at Newton Ferrers does not operate after September so it was always going to be an out and back walk. Wembury has a large NT car park and a super cafe which opens most days until November and interestingly for a week over the Christmas and New Year period. The walk is moderately easy, mostly high level and has stunning views from start to finish. It’s familiar ground for us, the boat house at Warren Point is the scene of many summer canoe holidays. The tide breaking over the lethal sandbar brings happy memories of getting out of my canoe, mid river, and appearing to walk on water. Less pleasant memories of the day our boat broke down and we were in danger of being swept onto the bar until we got the anchor down at the last minute and called the Coast Guard. There are some nice benches along the way for resting but beware the lovely granite one with “Henry” exquisitely engraved into the top. Rainwater collects around the letters and there’s always one duffer who will sit on that spot! It’s a popular walk, but we saw some wildlife. The omnipresent gulls and crows of course but 2 kestrels busily looking for their lunch and we paused several times watching one poking around on the ground ahead of us. Even a skylark telling the world what a beautiful day it was. Sheep (and one old goat) in the open areas, butterflies and bees going about their business on the last flowers of summer. 2 large Arabella Millers crossing the path; we moved them to a place of safety. I’ve no idea what beauties they would become. It is mushroom season but we saw the biggest mushrooms ever. I photographed one beside a 500ml water bottle for scale. You wouldn’t get anything else on the full English plate with that one . The colours in the cap reminded me of a Tawny owl. Towards the end of the walk I left Tom searching for a seat without engraving and dashed down to the ferry point in order to complete the walk down to the last inch. An operational ferry would have been perfect for us to have lunch at the Ship in Noss, a shout out for them. Instead I had to puff back up to Rocket Cottage, it’s the steepest part of the walk for clockwise walkers. A lovely day. 107.1 miles done;)
I don’t know how many gates there are on the path but I thought I should have a gate appreciation moment before I go today. Any gate which opens, and closes, easily is a real bonus. Some of the alternatives can be tricky especially for old girls like me with ancient limbs and joints. So let’s hear it for the gates and the SWCP association who maintain them. A photo just for you – thank you!
Trailing acorns 