Pitch Perfect.. Sights and sounds at The Valley of Rocks

So many sights and sounds at The Valley of Rocks, birdsong, bees buzzing, goats bleating or baahing (do goats baah like sheep) and the whack of leather on willow. Sounds like the lads are getting ready for the season down below. Practice makes perfect.  

“Lynton and Lynmouth Cricket Club was established in 1876. The ground, which is thought of by many as the most picturesque in England, is situated in the centre of The Valley of Rocks, between two giant tors, with sweeping views down to the sea.” 

I think that's a pretty good description of the view.

Follow Pat's North Devon Focus on
Facebook - Flickr - Instagram - YouTube

Be wildfire aware. Advice on how you can prevent wildfires

Fire down below over the border. The Devon and Somerset Fire Service were out on Sunday fighting fires near Porlock, we chatted to a crew who helped get the one down below under control as they were returning to their station at Combe Martin.

There have been a few large #wildfires on #dartmoor and Exmoor in the past couple of weeks, you can see in these pictures how dry the grassland is so #bewildfireaware, think of the wonderful environment, nesting birds and wildlife before firing up the BBQ. 

For advice visit dsfire.gov.uk @dsfireupdates on how you can prevent wildfires 🔥

• Take your litter home.
• Don't throw cigarette ends on the ground or out of car windows.
• Glass in direct sunlight can cause fires - ensure there is none lying around.
• Don’t have campfires or barbecues in the countryside. Only have them in safe designated areas.

Follow Pat's North Devon Focus on
Facebook - Flickr - Instagram - YouTube

Bideford Railway Trails. End of the line.

Below is one of the views passengers would see while waiting to alight from the train arriving at the platform Bideford. I can imagine them stepping off the carriage and being greeted by the staff from the Royal Hotel which could be accessed from the trackside. Opposite the hotel by the river is Brunswick Wharf, home berth for many years to the iconic Top Sail Schooner 'Kathleen and May'. The wharf and building has been cleared recently cleared in readiness for the 'Brunswick Wharf Regeneration'. >Pic 2 is the iconic hotel rising up from the platform. Welcome to Bideford.

The railway from Barnstaple to Bideford was opened in 1855 but was sadly closed to regular passengers in October 1965 as part of the notorious Beeching Report. The line from Barnstaple-Torrington-Meeth remained open for freight traffic until 1982. The railway track was lifted in 1985 and the whole of line was purchased by Devon County Council and converted into the now popular Tarka Trail Footpath & Cycleway. The Bideford & Instow Railway Group was set up in 1988 and has worked hard since that date to restore the Bideford Station site. The Bideford Railway Heritage Centre is situated here

 

Bideford Long Bridge view from the Tarka Trail. Photo copyright Pat Adams

The Royal Hotel rising up from the Bideford Railway platform. Photo copyright Pat Adams

Bideford Railway Heritage Centre on the Tarka Trail, Bideford. Photo copyright Pat Adams

 👀👀👀

Bideford Railway Tracks Blog Post Click Here

Kathleen and May Maritime Heritage Links and the Duke of Edinburgh - Click Here

Explore Bideford Railway Station and the Tarka Trail with the North Devon Focus - Click Here

Join Pat's North Devon Focus on

 Facebook - Flickr - Instagram - YouTube

-----------------

About: "Kathleen and May is the last remaining British built wooden hull three masted top sail schooner. Registered in Bideford, North Devon, but presently based in Liverpool, she is listed as part of the National Historic Fleet." (>wikipedia)

About: Brunwick Wharf Regeneration > "A beautiful new quayside development, featuring apartments, design studios, retail and restaurants"