Just as eight Devon members and Nancy the dog were about to set out from Totnes to Berry Pomeroy, a local boatyard began the difficult job of lowering two boats into the River Dart. We watched the boats land successfully in the water before we began our eight mile hike through the rolling countryside of the South Hams.

Signs of spring were all around us, with wild garlic, bluebells and campion all coming into flower. We even  had an unexpected encounter with a ferret!

After a tea break by a babbling brook we reached Berry Pomeroy, a beautiful gothic ruin of a very important ( and reputedly  very haunted ) house dating from the 15th Century. We had our picnic lunch just outside the house.

The weather was mostly kind to us and despite the chilly wind the sun shine managed to make it feel quite pleasant.  Once we arrived back in Totnes we had refreshments at a local café where the Apple Pie and clotted cream was a popular, but not the only choice.

Many thanks to Alan for organising and leading the walk.