Date walked: 10.30th June, 2008.

Weather: Warm, slightly breezy summer evening

Time taken: 19.10-20.50.

A terrific evening walk with great views over the Tamar Valley with the advantage of a pub at the start (and end) of the walk which is on quiet lanes, green lane paths, tracks, pasture and field edges ending in a descent down to Horsebridge through a gloriously spooky natural tunnel of trees with a gothic kissing gate at the start in Townlake. One plodgy 20 yard patch, despite  recent dry weather about spot height 127 on the path from Lane End Cross to Scrubtor Plantation which was just navigable in walking trainers and some  verge trapeze artistry and stick for balance.
Start at Horsebridge, up the hill to Sydenham Cross (a slow steady pull), left turn along track towards Sydenham Mill and right to Sydenham Damerel. Past the church, right at footpath sign across fields ( cows likely), right at the lane. At T junction straight ahead along the green lane, through the patch of likely plodge, left at the lane then next footpath on right across meadow, field edges and yet another grassy track into Townlake. Then through the Gothic kissing gate and enter the tunnel…head for the light at then end!


Birds: swallows and a low flying buzzard

Flowers: struggling to keep abreast of the cow parsley look alikes. First meadowsweet, bistort at Sydenham Damerel, hedgerows full of roses and bramble flowers. Overwhelmingly green.

Small joys: watching the fish jump in the river at Horsebridge, the green tunnel and the views into the valley from the various gates. Being amazed at the size of the badger sett in the bank along the green lane from Lane End Cross.