When at low tide

When the gale is roaring and trees are bent, we will often decide to head to the coast. We will pick the beach which faces the prevailing wind to get the full experience . Today did not disappoint, though the tide was way out and the surf blown- out. One brave surfer was somewhere in the foam. Plenty of flotsam and jetsam was in evidence washed upon the shoreline and the spindrift lined the edge of the beach. I set off to look at the rock formations which have amazing striations and look like folds in melted chocolate that has just solidified. The rocks run in lines to the sea forming very narrow channels of pools. The slate cliffs here are dramatic and layered.

With the wind blowing off the sea, there was little shelter except directly under the precarious cliffs; we did not linger long.

The round route takes us up the lush valley behind the beach and into woodland where the sloes have ripened and the the big purple fruits are ripe for the picking.

The cottages come into view juxtaposed against each other, most with thatch ( one newly done) . Agapanthus , sunflowers and crocosmia edge the fronts, an old pump, a stall selling eggs, a plaque telling some village legend and the ancient pub – a quintessential Devon village set back from the sea, sheltered from the prevailing south westerly where vegetable gardens seem untouched by the two nights of storm – a little microclimate exists. As we draw up the steep path to reach the road, the mist is blowing in with fine rain on the wind and once again we face into it and return to the storm.

Running beside the River which is in full flood

Mercurial bubbles of foam 
Twist and rotate
Spinning against the creased surface
Of blackened water
Effervescent as they travel
Downward towards the ocean
Then as I realise I’m travelling 
At the same speed
At one weightless as those bubbles of air 
On the water surface
My speed: the water speed 
The sea 60 mins away
Onward the bubbles dance
Effortlessly over the churning 
Waves 
This is the river in full flight
Powerful and strong
Driving the current 
Channelling the banks 
Undercutting rocks
Carving its way
Onwards.
And so I too carve out the distance
Deepen the stride 
Dig deep to ascend the hill 
Onwards and upwards to home.

A Dartmoor Walk

The gentle rise of land
Through meadows of fine grass
Up ancient drover tracks
Cobbled and worn though time
Walls cloaked in moss and liverwort
Grey lichen hanging from stunted oaks
Draws the walkers upward to
The moorland gate.
Soft swathes of grass 
And bracken flanks 
Lead to the babbling of the brook
Over granite slabs
We nimbly step;
At Glasscombe  mounds of stones
And ruined walls 
Lead conversation to ancient times
The boundary wall becomes our guide
The eastern brook provides a ford
And then Ball Gate
Elaborate balls and granite columns
Tell of a forgotten age
The banks here  adorned with flowers
Painted heather and flames of gorse Amidst jewels of berries bright.
Through lush growth we descend 
On ancient routes that trace the edge
And finger down in secrecy 
To meet the tiniest track
Like veins they wander and connect 
And draw us down the hill
As moor is left and fields merge 
Seamlessly a change
The track widens, becomes a road
Until the stream is met
And crossing a stile and past the woods
We have made our way right back.

Wild Swimming in a Dartmoor River

Lure of a swirling pool
Of rust brown moorland flow
Cascading over rocks
Covering orange sand;
The first steps in
Connect 
With primeval force
And rhythm 
To synchronise with nature
On eye level- a new world;
The energy released
To swim against the tide;
To swim and hold ones own
At one with nature’s force
The cleansing that it brings;
The mind is sharply focused
Sees things usually unseen;
The angled forms of rock,
The feel of rounded stones,
The sounds of rush of water,
Chains of bubbles spiral;
The freshness of damp air
The warmth of the water.
The freedom that is owned;
Breathe deep and inhale
An elixir for life is found.

A week of different activities

To be honest it was too hot to run after Monday. Instead, we did two walks at the coast and swam in the sea at Prawle Point Devon and Palace Cove Lanivett Bay Cornwall. I also enjoyed wild swimming in the River Avon at Aish. Today I swam at Gara Rock

Palace Cove – perfectly clear water over rocks and sand
Prawle – most there arrived by boat; we scrambled down the steep cliff. It was utterly beautiful

Tonight it’s been great to get back to running as it’s slightly fresher after a rain shower.7km round .

Certainly enjoying swimming again. However we have to pick our time and place to avoid the crowds and demonstrate patience continuously reversing for tourists stuck in the tiny lanes. What was really amusing today was the sight of two Porsche cars trying to pass each other today!

A chance for a walk and swim

The coastline around South Devon is stunning. Prawle Point is the most southerly tip of the land, hence a coastguard presence is there all year. Just around the headland is this amazing beach accessed down a steep path (some of it seated). Most people arrive by boat. The water was pristine, cold but that is what we have in the UK. Glad of my trail shoes getting down. A wonderful way to spend the afternoon swimming.

Dartmoor Adventures -Blue and Me

Early run from Lady Wood to Owley Gate towards Glaston Corner. Thunder on the edge of the moor and another cloud rising on the skyline so decided to keep to the edge. Some lovely views and total solitude apart from the start when the fox hounds passed us in the car park . Blue was such a good dog going through the field of them. Once out we were on our own. 6km.