Our previous two attempts at having a holiday had failed and this one nearly did as the lockdown was
imposed on our first day in Modbury; fortunately we were able to stay the whole week in the end. This was just as well as the first four days were very windy and rainy but the last two were exceptionally good.
We went on walks most days, short ones in the bad weather, longer ones when it was dry and fine. The banks of the Avon, Burgh Island, Noss Mayo and East Prawle were particularly memorable. When you could see it, the scenery was impressive as always. The views along the coast are among the best anywhere and usually quite accessible, walks of a few mile being sufficient. This view across the Salcombe estuary is typical with Bolt Head in the distance where we’ve walked so often.
The views of wildlife were less impressive however, there was little to be seen anywhere. The Avon river had a few Redshank here and there but nothing compared with what we’ve been used to in Chichester Harbour. On the clifftops there were a few seagulls but not many and nothing out of the ordinary. In land there were plenty of songbirds and corvids but only one raptor, a kestrel, was spotted.
Naturally there were few flowers but that was only to be expected, the same was
true for autumn colours in the trees. The only splashes of colour on the cliffs was the Heather which is hardy enough to survive in the most challenging of places and bright enough to make a stunning display. Fungi were few and far between apart from one field where these magnificent specimens were found, I only wish I knew what they are.