A walk around Stoke Climsland Parish

Sunsat afternoon and it's out for our permitted exercise, all of 1 mile from home.

A walk starting and ending in Stoke Climsland. Just over 5 miles in the glorious countryside that is our Parish. We've done this one a couple of times previously and it never disappoints.

Rowden Lane, probably originally an old trackway but now is a bridleway and popular walking route from the village. The bluebells are just passed their best but they are still attractive.

Lichen encrusted headstone in the old graveyard at Downhouse Methodist Chapel.

The most elaborate memorial in the graveyard. The chapel has been long closed but there are still burials in the graveyard.

Looking south-ish towards Kit Hill with its iconic stack on top. In the foreground is a field recently sown with a crop, probably maize, and covered with permeable plastic, which acts as a cloche and aids germination. It doesn't look good but does get better when the crop gets going and breaks through the plastic to cover it in green.

Rotten rafters in an old barn. The last time we came this way there was a Barn Owl's nest here. Sadly, so sign of it today.

Horse Chestnut flowers. Look closely and you'll see that they are pink and yellow. Sweet/Spanish Chestnut flowers are pink.

Named after the month in which it blooms and a sign that spring is turning to summer. I give you the May or Hawthorn flower.

A Bluebell. An English Bluebell. Much better than the dreaded Spanish interloper.

Some rather fine looking cattle. Curious but friendly. Close up they are large animals and I can understand why some people are scared of them.

If only all dog owners would keep their pets under control but they don't. I'm beginning to think that the number of irresponsible dog owners is greater than those who are responsible.

Let joy be unbounded. It's not often we come across one of these. It's a granite trough with, and you'll never believe this, a Prewett and Sprong Mark III Overhead Ball Valve Dispenser. I kid you not. These are so rare, they have almost mythological status in the world of Ball Valve Spotters. Wow, to me at least. Whilst I enjoy paroxysms of pleasure, Mrs P sighs, rolls her eyes and walks quickly on her way, shaking her head.

Ah, that's better. Kit Hill towering over 'normal' fields without the plastic. It looks tranquil, and it is, but this belies the mining and quarrying activity that would have set the area buzzing 150 years or so ago. At least 4 mines and 2 quarries would have been obvious then, with a few more down in the valley bottom. If you know where to look, you just can't make out where we live.

Almost back to our starting point at the Old School. The church is closed, the bells are silent and the clock has been stopped.

And a shorter evening walk the next day. Along the river bank at Calstock and back to catch the setting sun above the viaduct.