29-3-09

Spring sunshine,mild and no wind.

1hr 30 minutes.

Park at Bere Alston station. Leave the station and turn right down the hill. Shortly after the railway bridge turn left at the footpath sign into the field.Drop down the hill towards the woods (this is a well walked field with lots of tracks running across it). Enter the wood along a path adopted by the Bere Alston Youth Club and walk steadily down hill. Woodland walking does not come much better than this.At a way marker I went right (straight on brings you out at much the same place- I simply hadn't done that bit of path before!). When you reach the river take the left path up the slight rise and walk along the river bank towards Ferry Farm and onwards along the levee following the loop in the river with  views over Calstock and the viaduct.The path is quite clear.Pass the ruined chapel and enter wood. Opposite Morwellham Quay take the left hand fork up the hill. Through a gate you will find some Ramblers Rest tables put there by the very friendly 'Rod' and Devon County Council so that everybody can have a sit down and enjoy the view of the river.The footpath DOES go through the next garden even though it looks a bit daunting. Exit and walk up the hill on a metalled track to Helston Farm passing an old orchard in the field on your left with apple trees just about to burst into leaf and a bank of primroses on your right. Go through the farm buildings and up the farm track to the lane,turn right and  at the next  footpath sign ( which is in the right of the road) turn left into the field along the field edge, under the railway bridge and you are back in the field where you started with the stile  on the far side.

Birds: the wood was full of bird song even in early afternoon. Buzzards, sparrows having a jolly time in the woodpile at Helston Farm, bluetits, chaffinches, and a fearless wren.

Flowers: daffodils of every shape and variety,violets, stitchwort,primroses,celandines, the first hint of the smell of wild garlic in the woods and the dense blue of lungwort ( ??narrow leaved) on the laneside up to Helston Farm.

Small joys: the views over the river and the old fields of daffodils at Bohetherick. At Ferry Farm there is a moving memorial to a Michael Williams who died 'at this very spot' in 1899 which looks as if it is still kept neatly and is cared about.