ACROSS THE ESTUARY.

These pictures are of Shaldons tunnels as they are today.
The Teignmouth/Shaldon area's have a history of smuggling through the ages, it probably goes back to 1600s and was still going until the mid 1840s. These tunnels in Shaldon are carved through the "ness"cliffs to the beach the other side.The tunnels were undoubtably used by smugglers at one time or another. Originally there was only one tunnel(a short piece of this remains but is blocked off)but due to a combination of man and rock falls this was closed and a new branch off this old one was dug after the war, the part of the first tunnel thats left is said to be only a fraction of the total length of the original one,that probably went inland to possibly a holding cave or even a house cellar, any smuggled goods would then be moved on at a safe time.The new section of tunnel is lit and to make the steep descent to the beach easier has two sections of steps. The "Ness" as it is known is a steep cliff rising up from the sea,this is illuminated most nights (until about midnight) and is very attractive. Above the tunnels entrance is a nice little wildlife zoo, opposite this is a 9 hole golf course with lovely panoramic views right round the bay. The village itself has lots of small streets some with fishermans cottages still with nets and pots undergoing repair,a few are thatched and are very pretty.The village has several pubs/cafes and a bowling green this attracts quite a crowd on nice summer days.The small passenger ferry that runs regularly(in good weather) across the river is also a worth a trip.
By the way my daughters blog is now up and running, find it on Pam-bigbustybikerbaby.blogspot.com.
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