So January started superbly, some lovely cold crisp days and even a bit of snow, but from then on we’ve hardly had any days free from rain, with three named storms and lots of flooding. As a result Dartmoor is pretty much full of water, even more than normal. So on a break from the rain, before the next batch arrived we headed out from the front door to have an explore at the expanding green space being created near our front door. Now I need to say that this was always a green space, or at least farmland before, so its not quite grassland reclaimed back from industry, but you get the gist. Its a simple walk, out from the door, along the main road a bit and into the next estate which is newly built. Over the next year our part will join to this new area, making a walk to the park area easier for us. We walked around the pond and followed the path along the bottom of the valley, before climbing at the far end to the estate on the other side of us, we walked back through that estate, to the main road and back to our part. A few miles maybe, but it was at least a chance to get out in the sun, inbetween the monsoons we’ve been getting!
A sign of spring, snowdrops in our garden. We have daffodils pushing through, crocus as well. Plus the camelia bushes are budding nicely.Our on the main road now, we are on the left here as I look back to the main part of Sherford. We are heading behind the camera.In the next estate along from us now. The road on the left will link this section to our part. The fields are all part of South Hams as we are outside of Plymouth.The main pond and new trees being planted, it appears they are creating a few of these along the lower parts of the park. In the dip to the left sits a stream, its was pretty lively on the times we crossed it and had clearly flooded lots of the valley grassland, we had to paddle a few times to get through. Linda rightly blamed me for my advice over what footwear we should wear!!We’d dodged one set of puddled water to get to here. These fine gravelled paths are great for flat paths, but those on a slight slope are already showing ditches and grooves in it as the rain washes away the path. They need a rethink.It was still lovely along here, the stream flowed quickly below us and we passed through trees and areas marked for picnics. We couldn’t see any houses down here either which was a nice surprise. Looking across the fields of South HamsA glimpse of Elburton just over that hedge thereAnd looking back. We’ve walked along the dip just down thereOlder new builds. These were the first parts to be built of the new town, SherfordDartmoor in the distance, with Western Beacon on the right and Butterdon Hill left of that. That is the southern tip of Dartmoor and we can see that from our house (through the trees). Again I’m stood on the road which will link to our small estate, and then on to the new estate we walked through earlier (photo 3). As you can see clouds are building over and within an hour or so it was raining again. Hopefully February will be better!
It looks like a nice place you’ve chosen to live, Steve, with that backdrop of Dartmoor. If it’s any consolation, it’s been quite wet here this week, too xx
Looks similar to my local walks albeit with some slopes (on my regular walks from the door I rarely get more than 150 foot of ascent). Your hopes for February seemed to have been dashed so far
treksandtors 
It looks like a nice place you’ve chosen to live, Steve, with that backdrop of Dartmoor. If it’s any consolation, it’s been quite wet here this week, too xx
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I find it always nice when you can start a walk from the front door. Looks like a nice estate where you live.
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Looking at a few bus rides to take us a short distance and then walk back as well
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That is a good idea if you have a good transport system ☺️.
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Nice that they’re showing consideration with the landscaping, you’ll be able to watch those trees grow over the decades Steve!😀
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Thankfully they’ve left a fair few fully grown ones up as well which definitely helps blend things a bit
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Your surrounded by some lovely countryside. I did a walk from home today and found new builds that I didn’t realise had been built!
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Looks similar to my local walks albeit with some slopes (on my regular walks from the door I rarely get more than 150 foot of ascent). Your hopes for February seemed to have been dashed so far
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Its not looking good at all, might need to come and borrow your kayak
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I’ve pretty much given up on my local walks, every step is deep mud and it’s just not worth the effort
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