Valley, hills and summer cameos

THIS Sunday morning, July 12, meet me at 10.30am at the Marldon Cross.

The lanes and country road circuit of about three and a half miles has a quite demanding uphill section near the beginning. So you have to be reasonably fit.

Adults only, it's £2 a person, you come at your own risk. And I recommend strong footwear. All money raised goes to Macmillan Cancer Support. Continuous rain and the walk is cancelled.

I'll be waiting on the Churscombe Road side of the cross where Five Lanes Road, Marldon Cross Hill, Totnes Road and Churscombe meet.

Our route is: Westerland Lane, Middle Westerland, Lower Westerland, Cruel Cross, Buttshill Cross and the circuit that returns is to our starting point.

It's a hiker-friendly hard surface trail, an opportunity to indulge in some casual nature study.

The past lives on in the old farm buildings and the fields. High hedges, ancient woodland, hilltop views, wild flowers, songbirds, birds of prey, evidence of fox and badger activity, and acres of green peace — except when the odd car goes by.

As I take you through Middle Westerland, past The Old Farm House, I'll be dishing out some local history and wildlife observations.

Ancient Ramshill Copse in on the gorse-covered hillside. And above Higher Blagdon we have gateway views of the South Hams.

The rich foliage and grass of the month should provide the wildlife cameos.

Hedgebank wild flowers and farm animals continue to bring the rural perspective into focus.

And before the downhill stretch to Cruel Cross the trail will have provided us with a gateway vision of Tor Bay.

So come along and enjoy some cheerful company. The Herald Hiker ladies will take you out of yourself. And don't forget we are contributing to a very worthy cause.

Back at Marldon Cross we have to decide where to go for a drink and maybe a snack to celebrate a good little walk.

Hopefully it will have revealed some of the delights of the season on local territory.