Our Cotehele Walk

 Just simply, a description of our 'usual' walk at Cotehele. It's one that we do regularly and at all times of the year. It never fails to please and always bears repeating.

We begin and end at Cotehele Quay and it's just under 3 miles, with enough ascent to make the effort worth it.

We go past the smaller of the quays and.........

....take the track towards the mill.

Usually the water wheel at the mill is turning under the power of water delivered by the leat taken from the Morden Stream........

Unfortunately the weir was washed away in a storm before Xmas 2020 and the leat is now dry.

All the way around there are daffodils, lots of daffodils.

Once through the woods and along a stretch of lane, we come to Cotehele House.

As well as daffodils (the snowdrops and crocuses are now gone), Snakes Head Fritillary are starting to show their heads.

Butter and Eggs Daffodil. A variety dating from the 17th Century or so the label told us.

We go around the house and walk through the main orchard.

We always take time to sit by the pond and take in the atmosphere - it's always so peaceful here, particularly when there's no other people around. But it is a shame that more people cannot enjoy the daffodils at their best.

From the pond, we go around the back of the house and head for the river path.

We always stop to admire the view towards Calstock. Oooh, we are creatures of habit. We must be getting old.

The viaduct in all its glory - again. Apart from members of the family, this is probably the structure I've taken most photographs of.

And then it was down alongside the 15th Century chapel..........

......accompanied by the singing of a Robin.

And it's back to our starting point but not before we pass this bank of Primroses.