Weather: forbidding skies but dry and a stiff breeze

Time: just under the 4 hours.

Start at St. Ive (311672). Turn north at the church, at the slight bend take the left hand grassy 3 lined farm track heading down hill.After Gang Farm there is a high possibilty of deep and daunting plodge. At the lane end turn right ( admire the stone water trough). At Gang turn left and walk steadily up the hill to Charaton Cross, carry straight on and  then take the  first left turn down a even quieter and narrower lane. Head down hill, pass Mill Lawn Cottage and then up the hill towards Mill Lawn Farm. Here there is a FP off to the left through a paddock ( 2 friendly horses). At the stone step stile on the other side I was too daunted by the enthusiastic horses galloping towards me that retreat seemed the best option. You may be braver! Instead I continued along the lane and turned left. NB there was a free range barking guard dog in th field alongside the lane. Turn left at the junction.The FP exit after Scrawsdon farm is quite clear. Head down the lane to Kerney Bridge, turn right immediately afterwards and enjoy 0.5 mile of glorious river bank towards Bicton Mill. There is a good lunch log complete with pebble beach. At Bicton Mill turn  right and return up the lane, steadily gaining height (ie. - a hill) passing through the hamlet of Bicton and the Ken Caro nurseries. At Gang retrace steps along the road to st Ive.

Birds: 2 dippers along the Lynher, 1 at Kerney Bridge.

Flowers: hedgerows are starting to move into blue hue. The bluebells haze  in Penharget Wood, visible from the lane was glorious. Early purple orchids

Small joys: swooping swallows for the first time this spring. The little half house just outside the church at St. Ive. The hedgerows and banks are still clear enough to show the intensity of the animaroutes through what look like animal staircases. Listen out for the rock band drummer practising in the shed at Cheraton Cross.A huge iridescent beetle the size of a walnut on the road ( rescued to the verge). The river bank and the almost perfect setting of Bicton Mill.