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Holidays photos


southcotswoldramblers.org.uk

Dartmouth area
Spring 2007 Day 2
Day 1, Day 3, Day 4
Day 2 dawned bright and clear and we set off by car to Paignton to catch a steam train to Kingswear. Then it was a tough walk along the coastal path to the National Trust property at Coleton Fishacre. There was a slightly easier walk for those who could not face the rigours of coastal walking, but we all met up at the NT property to return to Kingswear for the train back to Paignton.
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Today we have driven to Paignton Station to catch a steam train to Kingswear
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We arrive in time to watch our engine taking on water
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Before presenting our tickets
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Giving us entry to the observation car which has been reserved for us
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We arrive in Kingswear and look across the river to Dartmouth and its Naval College
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The station has many old signs
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And relics of the age of steam
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But having looked round we head out through the town
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Along the cliff path, looking back to Dartmouth
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With Brian setting a steady pace
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Following the coastal path we reach the point where some of our party take an alternative route
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But the rest of us head steply (and steeply? Ed.) down into a valley
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Then up the other side
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A steep climb
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At the top we have views back down the estuary to Dartmouth
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And to Dartmouth Castle
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Our morning break is taken at Brownstone Battery built in 1940 to protect the Dart Estuary
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And now an observation point
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We walk down what was once a miniature railway carrying munitions
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To an old gun emplacement
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And look back along the estuary from a pillbox
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We start to climb back up
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Walking beneath the Battery
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Foxgloves are starting to bloom
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And bluebells are still plentiful (photo from Angela)
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And we climb back to the headland
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Watching the boats out to sea
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And having reached the top, as with most coast paths, we head downhill
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The South Cots Coven poses on the edge of the cliff
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Then it's back up again
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With more sea views
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As we look across to Coleton Fishacre, our next port of call
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We have a noisy travelling companion - we think its a Stonechat
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Eventually we arrive at the NT property and enter the gardens
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Even rabbits have to drink
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A very colourful garden
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Some visit the house
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While others spend their money in the shop
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Or more time admiring the gardens
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Particularly the azaleas (2 piccies from Angela). We then head back to Kingswear
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Where we enjoy an icecream
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All adopting our own individual styles of eating
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Before boarding our train back to Paignton
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Day 3

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Unless otherwise stated pictures and captions are from Richard





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