14th February
Memory is a funny thing. It’s been forty years since I was here last and parts of Challaborough haven’t changed a bit. The view of Burgh Island from the beach, the caravan park, the stream across the beach that we used to dam…and yet this walk is much longer in my imagination. We’ve lengthened the walk and yet it’s still only 3 miles. It used be be an adventure to the outer reaches of the earth…well, Ringmore anyway!
The other thing I’d forgotten was just how remote this corner of Devon really is! We’d spent the morning in Plymouth and left for Challaborough by 2pm. After turning off the A38 the route disappears down Devon lanes that approximate to tunnels, the hedges are so high. We didn’t arrive at the beach until 3-30pm. Fortuitously, the late afternoon light is spectacular and it’s warm enough to be early spring.
We walk as far as Ayrmer Cove, now owned by the National Trust, before turning north to Ringmore. In 1976 we had stopped at every bush along this walk whilst Rob hunted butterflies…a source of mild frustration when you’re a ‘finisher/completer’! We get lost in Ringmore, briefly, before finding the lane back to the beach and it hardly feels like a walk, more a 3 mile trip down memory lane.
Ringmore picture gallery (more pictures on Flickr):
Distance: 3 miles ; Difficulty: Easy
Coordinates for Satnav: N50° 17.333′ W3° 53.912′
Where Angells Tread! 