A late start from the station with some of us becoming diverted and delayed by Denham Bridge's closure and a parade of giant agricultural vehicles in narrow Pound Lane !
Nine folk (including our member from Gloucestershire) and two dogs departed the station and up around New Road to join the footpath across the fields into Bere Alston. There, a shop stop worked well, then through the park and along the footpath at The Down. An ancient stone stile to climb and soon the path began to descend.
What a view ! Tors and more ! Our path now a track curved past young orchards down into Leigh Farm's spacious yard and more (more elderly) fruit trees.
Leigh's long lane led us to Hunter's Oak and we continued along that flowery lane, and over a milestone marked crossroad. Our track was now a bridlepath and a pile of weathered logs formed a hasty snack stop with a superb view over the Tamar Valley.
Down to Little Gawton and left for the somewhat sketchy footpath through Slymeford's horsefields to follow a narrow, nettley edge of field path running parallel to a nice driveway. Not wanting to find the gates at the end locked we persisted through nettles but next time....
Rumleigh's high roofs now seen and the driveway swept us round to the graceful view of Georgian/Victorian slate hung genteelness.
Our visit (in aid of St Luke's Hospice) surpassed all expectation. At this point we were joined by our "walking wounded" members, so good to see.
Our hosts were delightful and generous with their time and efforts. We learned of previous owners wealth sources and ventures, explored the walled garden, had "light" refreshments including sandwiches, savoury tartlets, chocolate brownies and Victoria sponge.
We were led through meadows on mown paths. Ghosts of greenhouses loomed through tangles of vegetation, by the river we stood on the site of an old Quay, "found" a limekiln, an overgrown and silted up dock and the remains of a summerhouse. Lovely trees framing views and spring foliage and flowers all around.
Soon, with goodbyes and thanks, we left to return to the station through steep lanes and a total of over 7 miles recorded.
Anne