And now for something completely different as Monty Python once said. The Erme Plym trail is a track which runs from Ivybridge down to Wembury/or on to Hooe and runs for around 15-16miles. The trail links to the Two Moors way, and effectively completes the Devon coast to coast. This isn’t my usual coastal walking and certainly not Dartmoor, its more pastoral, farms, fields, lanes, farms, fields and lanes, oh and cows! Its a lovely route and one I’d looked at a few times, in fact I’d had a false start the week before when I’d stood at the bus stop for 45 minutes in rain, waiting for the bus to Ivybridge, only to find out that most buses where cancelled until 3pm due to the half marathon. Luckily, Linda who’d been away at her parents, had returned and could join me on this fab walk. So a week later we sat on the bus heading for Ivybridge, getting off by the town hall and quickly joining the path which would take us back under the A38. Before long we were walking by the River Erme, across fields and down lanes, that is until we hit cows, 2 fields of them. Luckily we had company with 3 others also walking our way. They led us through the herds and we arrived near to Ermington unscathed. We passed by a farm with many different animals, all of which Linda seemed able to converse with easily, leading them like the Pied Piper along their fenced off areas. Next we reached the Flete Estate, stopping off for lunch on a large field, watching buzzards overhead and butterflies nearer, as we ate our sandwiches. Still with lots of miles to do we set off, crossing countless fields, including one of hairy pigs, which Linda again managed to get to cross their field and come over to say hello. Next we hit areas of habitation with Dunstone and then Yealmpton, before climbing away from the latter, and dropping steeply to a lane taking us to Gorlofen. All that was left was to get home, with plenty of lanes closed as you reach the building of Sherford, we wriggled down some known lanes to reach our house. All in all a long walk, some tough terrain, especially the lanes on sore feet, but one I’d do again, but hoping there are less cows!

Start – Ivybridge

Route – Erme Plym Trail – Lower Keaton – Ermington – Sequer’s Bridge – Flete Estate – Dunstone – Torr – Yealmpton – Gorlofen – Wollaton Cross – Sherford

Distance – 13 miles  Start time – 10.40am  Time taken – 7hrs  Highest Point – Near Dunstone 110 metres

Weather – Very sunny and warm