A small but
select group gathered outside The Olde Plough (sadly closed on Tuesdays) for
our annual circular tour of The Bere peninsula. It was a special walk as Phil
was taking part for the first time since his hip replacement operation – no one
would have guessed this as he led much of the way!
In lieu of
tors and longhouses, we went into the Parish church, of St Andrews, a 15 to 16th
century church with a pre-Norman font and the tombs of various dignitaries of
the area, including the de Ferris family. There is also a plaque to the memory
of 10 New Zealand soldiers who had just arrived in Plymouth in order to serve
the British cause in the first world war. They caught the train to go to
Salisbury Plain and were told the first stop would be Exeter where they would find
much needed victuals. Sadly, the train stopped at Bere Ferrers as the signal
was red, the soldiers thought they must be at Exeter and were killed by the
fast approaching express train – a really tragic end to young lives.
Pondering
this, we walked to the station to see another memorial to them, as well as a
painting of the scene. We then followed the road, marvelling at the wild
flowers, and made our way down to Liphill Quay. From there, we followed the
Tamar Valley Discovery Trail over Tuckham Bridge, up the steep hill and along
to our coffee stop by the river at Weir Quay. The sun was shining and we could
happily have stayed there all morning, but we still had a way to go…
Next was the
steep and narrow path through Hanging Woods, resplendent with bluebells, which
brought us out by the Tamar Valley winery (sadly also closed!) From there, we
traversed various fields, crossed the back of the peninsula and started to
descend from Well Farm through the woods. We stopped for a picnic on the tree
trunks where we had stopped a few years ago with Terry. We drank a few bubbles
to his memory and celebrated Phil’s return to the fold. The walk back to Bere
Ferrers beside the Tavy estuary was less muddy than last time, thank goodness.
We clocked up 8.5 miles and over 50 different wild flowers. Those present said
they had really enjoyed the walk, and I thoroughly enjoyed their company.
Liz Rowley