Yesterday I cycled 106 miles as I wanted to explore some of West Devon. This area has a timeless quality about it. The leafy lanes are ideal for cycling, the villages are delightfully rustic and the countryside is plentiful for wildlife as well as good livestock farming. I find a fuel station at Monkokehampton, long since derelict
Since it started, I have signed up every June for
30 Days Wild as this gives me added interest on my bike rides. I want to show some images of the area. It is north of Okehampton. On my ride up over Dartmoor, I crossed the River Tavy, good for sea trout and some salmon. I seem to have heard more cuckoos in the south west this year than for a long time and another called today. As I peddled out of Monkokehampton I avoided running over a lizard while a yellow hammer swooped down in front of me. It is easy to miss these sightings but even better to see them.
Here, at Iddesleigh is one my favourite pubs. A good pub does not need smart signs but it helps to have a good understanding of farming. It is also Michael Morpurgo's local pub, author of
War Horse
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| The Duke of York, Iddesleigh |
Do you see the date on the lantern and clock behind it on this house close to the Duke?
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| Iddesleigh |
Meanwhile back at Monkokehampton, there are ancient farm buildings and road signs
At Exbourne the Burrow is an unusual community shop/PO/café which seems to be the hub of the local community. The cyclists were on a morning ride from Okehampton
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| The Burrow, Exbourne |
My route followed National Cycle Route 27, Devon C2C, via Okehampton to Hatherleigh where I turned right and there is a loop ride to bring you back to Okehampton. It was at Hatherleigh that I met 8 cyclists and we had each reached half way on our journeys. They were cycling 102 miles from Ilfracombe to Plymouth in a day. We stopped briefly to swop stories.
