holbeton walk

HOLBETON TO THE MOUTH OF THE ERME IN THE SOUTH HAMS DISTRICT OF DEVON ON 3 JAN 99

The first Sunday walk of the year, not with the Ramblers but with Alan and Brenda Potts.

After another wet and very windy night we set off for Harberton Ford to meet Alan and Brenda. We had barely reached Henders Corner in Plymouth, just 200 yards from home, before the first obstacle. The wind had done its work and there was a large tree across the road. Up to South Brent, wind assisted and then a cross country NAVEX to Harberton Ford; plenty of surface water but by the time we reached our first base the floods had subsided and we were able to get into the drive of their house.

After a short period of Internet coaching, we were off in a mini convoy to Holbeton near the mouth of the river Erme. The weather smiled on us again and the winds dropped and the sun came out. I won't use the word righteous since that would be tempting fate.

By 11.45 we were off on the walk, accompanied by Gemma who seemed to quite enjoy the mud. Leaving the village we headed towards the river up a very steep and very muddy hill. There were good views of the village from the top.

Through gates we were soon on an equally steep and muddy slippery descent. We more or less made it without incident. We passed a very nice looking house which had been used in the film Sense and Sensibility as the house the family lived in when they were down on their luck. If that's bad luck then I wouldn't mind their luck.

We were now down by the river and heading downstream. As it was low tide there were many wading birds on the mud and sand banks. We skirted the bank for a while then over a small hill and to a small pool adjacent to the river. Gemma was soon in water after some wood but didn't stay in long owing to the presence of two swans who were not too pleased at the intrusion.

The South Hams is very well known for the undulating countryside and we were again walking uphill which we continued for a good mile. We had a good view looking up the river to the first crossing point a small bridge.

As we gained height we could see the sea at the mouth of the Erme. The sun can be clearly seen shining into the camera lens. Following the road back we were soon on the downward slope of this short circular walk following the tarmac road downhill and we were back again at Holbeton.

The weather had remained good for the period of the walk. Time to get rid of the muddy boots and to sojourn to the Dartmoor Inn, one of the two village pubs, for ale and a quick bite to eat. We reminisced about our time at college and what our acquaintences were up to. We were soon saying our farewells and making our way back home to Plymouth and Harberton Ford respectively, after the short but pleasant Sunday stroll of about 2 to 3 miles. Just to mention how lucky we were with the weather, by 7PM it was once more windy and lashing down with rain again. Strange to think that by the next time we meet we will have been right around the world to see our offspring.

By 11.45 we were off on the walk, accompanied by Gemma who seemed to quite enjoy the mud. Leaving the village we headed towards the river up a very steep and very muddy hill. There were good views of the village from the top.
	Through gates we were soon on an equally steep and muddy slippery descent. We more or less made it without incident. We passed a very nice looking house which had been used in the film Sense and Sensibility as the house the family lived in when they were down on their luck. If that's bad luck then I wouldn't mind their luck.
We were now down by the river and heading downstream. As it was low tide there were many wading birds on the mud and sand banks. We skirted the bank for a while then over a small hill and to a small pool adjacent to the river. Gemma was soon in water after some wood but didn't stay in long owing to the presence of two swans who were not too pleased at the intrusion.
	The South Hams is very well known for the undulating countryside and we were again walking uphill which we continued for a good mile. We had a good view looking up the river to the first crossing point a small bridge.
As we gained height we could see the sea at the mouth of the Erme. The sun can be clearly seen shining into the camera lens. Following the road back we were soon on the downward slope of this short circular walk following the tarmac road downhill and we were back again at Holbeton.