Never been here before !!
Through Lee Mills housing estate and soon crossing the green fields towards.
No rain but plenty of water underfoot. On to bridlepaths and a deep gorge with a lake. Alongside horsefields and lovely views of the moors and viaducts. Past Frog Cottage looping around to a wooded path and the road towards Cornwood past Stert; early snowdrops peeping from the banks.
A field entrance beckoned for a coffee stop and a friendly local exercising his dog welcomed us in.
Brownies and cuppas consumed and off under the beautiful "double" bridge towards Cornwood before left to Corntown and over the River Piall. An impressive driveway to Slade Manor built in 1212 by the Slade family. In later centuries acquired by Coles, Savery, Podes and three further families. A very interesting house, buildings and gardens.
Our path now took us under the silhouettes of the old and "new" Slade Viaducts. Much to theorise about here. Such clever builders.
Back on to the road now and a deepish flood or two from the Piall River to slosh through and a mystery stone in the bridge to discuss.
Further lanes and fields to squelch through on the flood plains of the Yealm before reaching the edge of Lee Mill once more and the spacious Westward Inn, and we can now say we have been !
Anne