Exploring Cargreen: The river estuary and agricultural inland
This is a varied walk of about five miles for Ramblers, or has interesting sections for casual strollers.
There is plenty of parking lane-side by Landulph Church. This was an official starting point for a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostella in the Middle Ages. Our walk is a little shorter. Start down the lane, turn right on a footpath and go to inspect the estuary with views down the Tamar towards the road bridge. At dead low spring tide it is muddily possible to follow the coastline to Cargreen - but not for us! As expected, we had to walk back up the lane then fork off right near the top to take a nice track across and behind the headland, before dropping down to Penyoke recreation area - a lovely coffee spot. From here the path goes in front of the buildings, except at high tide, before cutting up to Cargreen.
We followed the road down to the quayside where we found that the tide was low enough to go coast-wise and pass in front of the sailing club. The higher tide route would have been to go back up the road and then right, through the new estate. Either way, the route continues along a narrow lane right, next to the salt marsh. This shows every sign of being flooded at high spring tides. The lane is not really driveable, grown over and goes through four gates. These should be shut behind any walkers; except for the first that we found unhinged.
After the last gate we passed buildings, the home of a lady who often walks her dogs by rowing them across the Tamar to walk them in Devon, on the Beer Peninsula. She can only do this at high tide. It is worth going on a hundred metres to see the massive retaining walls of an old tidal grist mill. I have to question why such useful minor industries have not been revived, using of course tidal power, not grid electricity.
The footpath past the house leads to fields. We had to create our own path through a lovely hayfield, taking great care to walk single file. If you have dogs with you, they should be put on the lead to pass through the farm yard and pass across the pasture. This was not on a trodden path as such, but when we reached the far bottom corner to zig back sharply right, the path was well trodden through crops. In the trees, it’s a lovely spot for a sit-down snack!
Turn left on the road, look for the stile on the right across another field and into a lane. Cross the next road directly, to a tarmac lane. Here we met no less than five large tractors with enormous slurry tanks behind. Those overtaking us were on their way to spread the slurry to fertilise fields, those facing us were returning for a refill. It was a series of tight squeezes, annoying in one way but a really interesting look-in to the work of the farmer.
Glad we were to take the narrow lane left and enjoy more countryside and estuary views as we dropped down to our cars. A lovely and very varied minor expedition.
To join in, connect to www.plymouthramblers.co.uk; or for walks using public transport, phone Ron Smith on 07780 913546 for a smaller group, the Dartmoor Rambling Club.
By Ron Smith, Plymouth Ramblers