Bright, stiff breeze, chilly enough to keep walking.

Start at Bere Alston Station (442673), out of station turn right and after the bridge take the well worn  and marked footpath straight across the field. Exit field by the bridge, walk onwards to the lane and then turn right. Take the next  left, a farm track to Helston Farm and Ward Mine. At Ward Mine there is a path that goes right ( which is what I intended to do) but I was daunted by the signs at the gate- a walker I met later did confirm the path does go through the garden and is easier to navigate coming in the opposite direction. There does appear to be a very barky dog at the  house so with this in mind I turned left past South Farm and walked along and just above the river. The path is well marked at key points. Turn up the hill to Braunder ( straight ahead would link to the walk from Weir Quay to South Hoocould but could well be VERY wet and muddy underfoot in places). There was a lot of work being done on the farm track up the hill to Braunder so it was quite plodgy but certainly manageable. The track goes past Collins farm. I took the lane across the bridge then the next left to return to the car.

Birds: buzzards mewling and calling in the breeze.

Flowers: primroses in full glory in the banks.

Small joys: the views of the river and the reed beds are absolutely terrific and it is interesting to see familiar places from the Devon side.