© Karen Davis

England:

North Devon Coast

June 13-20, 2008

Situated on the North Devon Coast in Southwest England, the village of Welcombe is possibly on the most unspoilt part of the English coastline. This area has been a farming community for hundreds of years—living in isolation with little changed until very recently. Composers, writers (Bloomsbury group), and playwrites have found their inspiration here.

The Atlantic Ocean, fields of foxglove, pastures of grazing cattle (mothers of Devonshire cream), and waterfalls all combine to make a beautiful setting for our Devon coastal walks.

Our path leads us to the small harbor town of Clovelly with its cobbled streets and painted cottages, to the stunning church and vicarage of Morwenstow and to Tintagel, the legendary home of King Arthur.

We hike along cliff tops, necessitating some steep hill climbs where we will take our time, then down to valley streams and into beautiful nature reserves. All the while we are enjoying a feast of wildflowers-wild orchids, sheep’s bit, ox-eye daisies and a great variety of birdlife — hawks, peregrine falcon, oyster-catchers. Average distance each day is about 8 miles at a comfortable pace in pleasant temperatures of 65-75 degrees.

At the end of the day, we can be assured of good comfort and delicious food at our farmhouse accommodation – "Home Farm" in the hamlet of Mead.

In June the light lasts long after dinner, so we might take a stroll to the local pottery, the near-by pub, the practice session of the church tower bell ringers, or just watch the sun set in the Atlantic.  What could be better?

England, Devon             © Karen Davis

© Karen Davis