Date walked: 6th July, 2008.

Weather: Rain threatened constantly, one short sharp shower. There had been heavy rain the previous day and overnight.

Time taken: 10.55- 12.00.


This would be a lovely evening walk – perhaps on the way home from work along riverside and woodland tracks, grass- middle lanes with glimpses of some wonderful Walkham valley gems- views (and houses!) It has possibility for plodge and cows in 2 fields
Park at Denholm Bridge, with back to the bridge walk along the lane on the right of the river, before the road rises steeply to a sharp hair pin bend teak the left fork along a track which leads to Hatches Mill where there was a warning about peacocks and chicks). Today the river was in full spate and was close to the path, just remaining navigable but adding an air of adventure. Walk through Hatches Mill grounds turning up to the right and through a rather lovely gate onto a metalled track. Gate stops with views over to Balstone. At the top of the road (Y junction) take the right to Buckland Monachorum. Walk past the next turn to Coppicetown, the path you want is a short way on the right. Turn right at the footpath sign, decide whether one can carry the rusted milk churn home (please don’t).
This track is a drive to a house, when it comes into view take the way marked left  turn along a field edge ( inquisitive horse), across a stile ( muddy either side), another field edge and enter wood with a high level path as lovely as anything at Lydford Gorge. Re enter tack at the hairpin bend you had seen at the beginning.

Birds: very quiet, a jackdaw, all else quiet in the avian world.

Flowers: hedgerows looked a little forlorn and bedraggled, cow parsley continuing to do its best. Bugle in glorious blue hue.

Small joys: the speed and colour of the river dark tan)and  the strength of the standing wave