Graylings & Small Heaths

The heather is in full flower and the bracken is getting its autumn colour, a time when I think the moorland looks its best. Here is a watercolour of mine with Grayling and Small Heath butterflies on heather and bracken as I have so often seen them.

FISHING AT THE SALMON POOL

I took this photo early this morning as I crossed the river Teign on the little wooden bridge that overlooks the Salmon pool just below Castle Drogo. It looked such a perfect picture in shades of green with the two men fly fishing there. The pool is usually full of large Trout & soon more of these & also Salmon will be leaping the steep rocks that lead into the pool.

EXETER CANAL

Exeter canal is looking really beautiful at the moment with its banks full of wildflowers. There are plenty of people enjoying boating & canoeing. This photo shows a lovely clump of Purple Loosestrife beside the canal and was taken near the famous Double Locks Inn which is an easy & interesting short walk from Exeter quay

SCORHILL STONE CIRCLE

Scorhill Down is a wonderful part of the moor to explore. It is not far from Chagford going out on the narrow road past Gidleigh where eventually there is a small parking area & you can walk straight out onto Scorhill. My picture shows part of the huge stone circle with views across to Fernworthy reservoir. There are also ancient clapper bridges, stone rows & hut circles in this area.

RAME HEAD

This is a spectacular bit of coastline to walk. We started from the pretty village of Cawsand where there is an easy climb through the woods to the cliff top. There were masses of butterflies enjoying the wildflowers all along the cliff path; in particular a great many Wall Butterflies & Red Admirals but still no Peacocks. This picture shows the view towards Rame Head with its ancient Chapel standing on the reamains of an Iron Age hill fort.

ST JOHN'S WELL HATHERLEIGH

This can be found on Hatherleigh Moor following the footpath down from near the Monument at the top of the moor, however it is not that easy to find being tucked in a hollow on the left of the next field about 100 yards from the signpost. It is surrounded by wildflowers including some Ragged Robin which is nice to see. The Holy water was once used for baptisms & can still be used as the door on the well is not locked.

HATHERLEIGH MOOR

We have recently discovered a new walk around Hatherleigh which takes in the pretty moorland with several unspoilt wildflower meadows and a pond and then on up to the top of the moor which has fabulous views towards Dartmoor also an ancient watchtower with even better views from the top of it. In a hidden hollow on the moor is St John's well, I will post a picture of this on my next blog.

This pictures shows one of the footpath signs covered in a mass of wildflowers.