A winter walk to the Avon dam, Devon.

This was a walk we did late last year, but i had forgotten about and just found these pictures.South Devon's Avon dam is on the edge of  Dartmoor, just a few miles from the busy A38, quite near to South Brent. The dam lies deep in a valley at Shipley Bridge, the dam holds back millions of gallons of water and creates a large Reservoir, supplying water to most of this area.The walk starts at a car park and initially follows a Private (to vehicles) tarmac road for approx 1/2 a mile. This road was built and is used by South West Water Authority to maintain the dam and water treatment plant.From here on  the road/path is usable by vehicles but not Tarmacked.The 1.7 mile footpath follows the Avon river along the whole route.
Do click on any picture to enlarge it.

Sue at the start of the walk.

 This picture is just one of lots we have with fabulous small waterfalls, rapids etc,in spring it is covered in beautiful wild flowers.

 Here is one of the many waterfalls / rapids that are dotted all along.

 In summer this area of flats rocks gets really busy with famililies Pick nicking here and the kids playing in the water.

We decided to take this picture to show that the Litchen / Moss growing on this growing tree can provides a base on which thses Fearns can live and grow.

 We couldn't resist taking this picture showing the strength of this tree and its roots against the remains of a sheperds hut.

 At this point in the walk the valley opens out to show really great views along the river banks.

 I did forget to mention that on the outward walk you are steadily climbing through out the walk.

 Almost there now, getting a bit tired sowe  stopped for a cuppa from the Flask we brought with us.

 The steepest part now but the Dam is in sight here.

 Here it is the Avon Dam, we didn't take pictures of the Reservoir itself because by now the wind was howling and causing huge waves, (see the waves coming down the Dam).

This last picture was taken from the opposite side of the valley from our walk.

 So a realy nice walk on a lovely winters day.

Joke of the day.

There's nothing worse than a Doctor's Receptionist who insists you tell her what is wrong with you, in a room full of other patients. I know most of us have experienced this and I love the way this old guy handled it.

 

A 75-year-old man walked into a crowded waiting room and approached the

desk. The Receptionist said, 'Yes sir, what are you seeing the Doctor for today?'

"There's something wrong with my d*ck", he replied.

The receptionist became irritated and said, "You shouldn't come into a crowded waiting room and say things like that".

 "Why not, you asked me what was wrong and I told you", he said.

The Receptionist replied: "Now you've caused some embarrassment in this room full of people". 

You should have said there is something wrong with your ear or something and discussed the problem further with the Doctor in private.

The man replied,"You shouldn't ask people questions in a roomful of strangers if the answer could embarrass anyone". 

The man walked out, waited several minutes, and then re-entered.

The Receptionist smiled smugly and asked, "Yes??" 
 "There's something wrong with my ear", he stated.
 The Receptionist nodded approvingly and smiled, knowing he had taken her advice. 

"And what is wrong with your ear, Sir?" 
 'I can't p*ss out of it,' he replied. 
 The waiting room erupted in laughter.

Mess with seniors and you're going to lose!

 

Buckland in the moor.

Hi all,This latest blog is again about our favourite place, "Dartmoor", in particular Buckland in the Moor.This beautiful picture postcard village nestles in a valley on a slope over the river Dart on the edge of Dartmoor, roughly between Ashburton and Widecombe.Its little church (of St Peter's) lies on a hill top about 1/2 a mile from the village centre and can be traced back to the 12th century.The church is famous in its own right for its clock face which carries "My dear mother" instead of the usual numbers.Also for several world bell ringing records from back in the 1980s and 90s.These first two pictures ar'nt ours but you can click on any of the others to enlarge them.

All of the pictures that we took were taken in either Winter or Spring otherwise the cottages are hidden behind lots of foliage.

 Here are a few pictures of this lovely little village/hamlet, where all these cottages are rooved with real Devon thatch.. All of these cottages have grade 2 levels of preservation on them, also most of the outbuildings/sheds too.Property prices here are among the most expensive in Devon.

Imagine living in one of these beautiful cottages then? although on the down side a few of them only get a small amount of Sunlight in Summer.

Buckland is now owned by John P Bastard esq and has been in the family since at least the 16th century.
Recently one of the above cotages came on the market.

Buckland is also unique for its carved stone tablets high above the village, on these 10 (11) commandments were carved, they were ordered by Mr William Whitely in 1928 who commissioned an Exmouth stone mason Mr W A Clement to make them.Mr Clement lived in a stone hut on site for the duration of the work, working up to 9.5 hours a day. Between 23rd July 1928 and completed them on 31August the same year, during this time Mr Clement carved 1,547 letters in all at a cost of £50.All this was done 380 metres above sea level where it gets extremely windy and cold at night even in August.In addition to these 10 commandments he carved an 11th one with a verse from the gospel of St John.During May 2009 a team of Stone Masons working with the Dartmoor National Parks authority started work recarving the stones which by then were well weathered and Litchen covered.

More here http://www.bbc.co.uk/devon/content/articles/2009/06/04/buckland_beacon_repair_feature.shtml

Joke of the day.

Service

I became confused when I heard the word “service” used with these agencies:

Revenue Office “Service”
Post Office “Service”
Telephone “Service”
Cable TV “Service”
Civil “Service”
City, Provincial & Public “Service”
Bank Customer “Service”

This is not what I thought “service” meant.
But today, I overheard two farmers talking, and one of them said he had hired a bull to “service” his cows.

BAM! It all came into focus. Now I understand what all those agencies are doing to us !!!!!!