Wedding avoidance day 2: Hele, Berrynarbor and the Sterridge Valley

Another lovely sunny day and another walk along the North Devon coast, this time a route of our own making. We headed in-land towards Berrynarbor for a lunchtime stop and came across what seems to be a local speciality - Bill and Ben-style statues dotted around the village.
Lots of wild garlic alongside the paths and even some Early Purple Orchids.


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Back to the Grampus Inn for a quick supper before heading to the tiny (and packed) Lee Village Hall for a gig by Kidnap Alice, a hot 7 piece bluegrass band. In itself, that would have been a super way to spend a Saturday evening, but then the band and audience de-camped back to the pub for a session. It was packed but everyone was quiet for the singers and we did OK in somewhat intimidating company. Thanks to Bill and Bryony at The Grampus Inn for such a great atmosphere. Check it out if you're anywhere near.

Royal wedding avoidance in North Devon day 1: Mortehoe and Lee

6:00am start to get to North Devon with David and Alison in time to get a decent walk in. Despite the unpromising forecast, the weather was perfect for this fantastic walk along the coast from Mortehoe, returning via Lee (and a swift half or four at The Grampus Inn). Rosie and Alison even managed a paddle (and a little dance in Alison's case) in the very cold Bristol Channel, while the less adventurous of us explored the rock pools. Masses of Thrift and Sea Campion, plus lots of bluebells and primroses.

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Back to our B&B, Grey Cottage, for a little R&R before heading back to The Grampus Inn for a hearty dinner, a few more of those halves, and active participation in their open mic evening. This was wonderfully eclectic with jazz piano, Irish Trad fiddle from Bill the landlord with super accompaniment from Mark on guitar, a teenager playing klezmer tunes on a clarinet and a couple of husband and wife duos from the Thames Valley who did a bunch of songs.
Unique feature of the pub is a three-legged dog that lollops around the bar. A+D managed to keep going as if nothing was happening when the dog decided to take a turn in front of the microphone. Not confident that I would have managed that.

Watlington Hill, Cookley Green and Russell's Water

Very warm day for Steve to join us on a circuit and a picnic in the Christmas Common area.







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Winter Hill, Quarry Woods and Cookham

Very warm when we started shortly after ten, but clouded over on the way back from Cookham.
Plenty of blossom in evidence.

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Fingest, Frieth and Skirmett in the spring sunshine

A perfect spring day for a perfect spring walk.

The view down into Fingest is lovely at this time of year, so we usually arrange a walk similar to this one. Lovely to be out and walking before nine, and for it to be warm enough for shorts.

Surprised to see bluebells this early .

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