I couldn’t believe it, one of my only two walks a year (because I’m a rubbish navigator) looked impossible! Denham Bridge was closed and the Tavistock road was also announced as closed. Two brave walkers, Jon and Stella, came from Gunni by train and the intrepid Charlie drove, only to find the Tavi road open, so all was well. In sunshine, we walked past old daffodil fields planted probably before the First World War, through the woods festooned with wild garlic, to Tuckermarsh Quay (interesting topiary- finger of Fate or Gonzo from the Muppets) and our usual beach for coffee.
We continued in dry weather along the Tamar foreshore (part of the Tamar Discovery trail), gazing longingly towards the Cornish side where coffee shops would have been available. With my crib notes in hand, we talked about the construction of the amazing viaduct in 1904-7, connecting the railway from Bere Alston to the East Cornwall Mineral Line. A very handsome oil beetle was discovered along the path which proved unusually friendly and photogenic.
After noting the chapel in the woods above Cotehele, where Richard, Earl of Edgcumbe and a Royalist, managed to outwit his enemies by throwing his hat in the river so they assumed he’d drowned, we stopped for lunch at the picnic tables by Ward Mine. As the train travellers were not due to catch their return train until 2.50, we decided a refreshment stop (Jon needed coffee) at the Edgcumbe Hotel in Bere Alston after the walk was in order.
So we pressed on and met the owner of South Ward Farm who explained that the mystery tree at which we had been gazing was a handkerchief tree. We continued along the Tamar, now gazing at Cotehele Quay tearooms as a gig stopped there and the crew went in for refreshments…..Undeterred, we plunged through Braunder woods and started the steep incline to Braunder farm and back to the station. We had done well and deserved our break at the pub (Jon had his coffee!). Thanks to the intrepid three – great company!
Liz