A walk to Batson Creek

We had a lovely walk earlier this week, down to Batson Creek – a tidal inlet at the top of the estuary just across the water from Salcombe.  It was a still and frosty morning and the water was completely flat (although not still, I watched the edge very carefully and could see the tide rising little by little) 

 So very peaceful now all the visitors have left, no more sound of outboard motors, children squealing and playing and general noise and activity.  The summer months are full of life and activity, whilst in contrast, in the winter everywhere is quiet and deserted.  This is especially true of Salcombe where a very large proportion of houses in the town are second homes or holiday lets that stand empty through the colder months.  But the emptiness is great for the newfies who enjoy being free of my summertime anxiety about their upsetting nervous children and small dogs – sometimes just because they’re big and black! 

Batson can be very muddy, there’s a steep path through National Trust woodland down to the creek, with a stream that has to be forded (or in Daisy’s case splash through once, turn around, dive through it a second time and finally run up and down it before leaping out and shaking wet fur – just as I am about to cross!).  Dogs are supposed to be under control Miss Daisy!

 But this time we didn’t see a single person on our walk so Daisy’s naughtiness didn’t matter.  When we reached the creek the tide was coming in ….

 So there just had to be swimming! (Them not me)

And afterwards back up the hill again to the car park.  Love these seedheads – one day I WILL get around to stitching some!