Cornwall, Devon, Somerset

Taken near Hope Cove in the South Hams in Devon whilst on a trail called 'Bolt Tail' which ventures the edge of a fine headland. The distant town is Thurlestone - a great walk from here to the North. Of course, an advantage of taking a walk here in July, is the profusion of wild flowers. Nice full screen

This little cave set in the village of Hope Cove near Salcombe in Devon is a wonderful day out for families in the school holidays. Fortunately the weather was fine and this cave would afford shelter in any rains. Best full size.

A grand walk over the 'Bolt Head' headland near the small Devon town of Kingsbridge gives many scenic pleasures. Here is but a small sample with this high view of jagged rocks with a glimpse of wild heather. Nice full size.

This is taken on the SW coastal path at 'Soar' near Salcombe. We are looking over 'Starehole Bay' and beyond the next headland is the very popular and pretty resort of Salcombe. The South West Coast Path is England's longest waymarked long-distance footpath and a National Trail. It stretches for 630 miles, running from Minehead in Somerset, along the coasts of Devon and Cornwall, to Poole Harbour in Dorset. ~ Wikipedia Just before taking this, I nearly trod on one of our most dangerous snakes -an Adder, with my bare sandled feet :)

The SW coastal path between Soar and Salcombe can be pretty exhilarating as can seen here on this steep accent around this rocky outcrop. Enjoy large.

A rather close look at this unusual lighthouse here on the South Hams Devon coast. Set amongst majestic cliffs, this lighthouse is still open for visitors and its outbuildings are now rental cottages. It was built in 1836 and is now a grade II listed building. Of course the sky was of great interest to me here too. We read here that a hundred thousand ships past this point each year. To the side of us, we spy another tanker passing as I photograph.

Misty hazy weather shows us part of our walk today, both South East and North West. The views and coastline beyond the lighthouse were well worth the effort with bathing seals as a bonus. A close-up of the lighthouse is on the previous page. NB, just an hour or so after taking this, a Paraglider crashed into the cliffs here and the pilot was unfortunately killed.

The Southern side of this lighthouse displays the ruggedness that makes it more obvious why the lighthouse was built here.

The old road to the village: now forbidden! On a stormy night in January 1917, the Devon fishing village of Hallsands collapsed into the sea. The entire village was destroyed together with the livelihoods of its people. For decades the fishing village of Hallsands and its stunning coastline had been at the mercy of the forces of nature and on this dreadful night, all was finished. Notice Start Point lighthouse in the distance. www.bbc.co.uk/insideout/southwest/series1/hallsands.shtml

The views and walks from Start Point lighthouse to the North are great but looking South we see a more tender landscape. Look at the base of the cliffs here to spot the lost fishing village of Hallsands, to where we will presently walk. (See next photo.) You can see too, the special viewing platform that looks like a bridge just top right of the village. Enjoy full size.

Continuing over this Devon SW coastal path we spy these ponies. It appears that they are wild Dartmoor ponies, allowed to graze here to keep the grass down. Dartmoor National Park is just 25 miles North of here. In the distance a signpost points our way further down the coast toward Salcombe.

For some reason, I am still pleasantly surprised when I see these splendid creatures outside Scotland. This girl was cooling her feet (as is quite usual for Highland cattle) in this small lake just off the coast at South Milton Sands here in Devon. Enjoy full size.

Looking East toward Hope Cove and over this big expansive sandy bay called Thulerstone Sands. Rather misty now that we are on our way back beyond the first rocky headland to our car in the next bay. To my left is a rather beautiful golf course where I watched in fascination as golf balls whistled over my head as I stood there with my camera. I wish you all, a great weekend, Herb

A stranger in my part of North West England but common elsewhere is this endearing bird with its very distinctive call. Seen on our way to Burgh Island, Devon. Saxicola rubicola - A small, dumpy chat, the stonechat is a little smaller than a robin. It has a big head and short tail. It can frequently be seen sitting on the top of gorse bushes, flicking its wings and making a call like two small stones being hit together. Stonechats inhabit heaths, bogs and conifer plantations.

A wonderful view near the footbridge of this little estuary. Notice the fishing heron. The rock is called Thurlestone Rock and has in fact a natural tunneled archway through it. Enjoy full screen

The wild coastal rocks of Bantham Bay, looking towards Thurlestone give these Kayakers some pictorial excitement as well as the thrill no doubt of avoiding them. For us, another great view and capture here. Best full screen.

Another view of our South Devon coastline near Thurlestone (Just east of Plymouth). A good example of why shipping of every description have fallen foul here through the years and tries to give it a wide berth. Enjoy full size.

Prospects of a hot day brings sunbathers and children to the very popular sandy bay just outside the popular seaside village of Salcombe. However, as is quite usual in this part of England, misty weather whispers in from the cool seas here. This to remain all day before the real heat-wave the day after. All is not lost though, as this rare-to-me weather always makes a fine, different photo. Enjoy large.