Thursday 17 August 2017

A river walk in Forder.

Forder is a small hamlet near to Saltash in Cornwall with only 44 houses and no shop. Many of the cottages are situated along the banks of the River Forder with the footpath running between their frontages and the river. It's a peaceful little place, with boats moored down the shoreline with only birdsong and the soft clinking of halyards against masts to break the silence.
Recently on a warm but overcast day I walked there with my two youngest grandchildren and the dog.


 The path turned away from the river and climbed up through wooded slopes.

 We paused to look into the remains of Wearde Quarry then entered the high-sided and fern-covered enclosure, long since filled in.  Nature has taken over and the information boards showed which plants thrived in the cool, damp conditions.
Could we find 'Fox Tail Feather Grass' ?  

 Eleanor found it!



 And then the Arum maculatum, commonly known as Cuckoopint.  It's bright orange berries are a warning that it is poisonous and not to be touched.


Another information board shows that all the fields at the top of the slope have names.  Fascinating stuff!




















By the time we returned to our starting point the tidal river was fast emptying and many of the boats were now listing to one side as they settled on the mud.
We headed for Seaton to have some lunch and a drink.  But that's another post!

15 comments:

  1. Looks idyllic - and looks as though Benji thought so too!

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    1. It IS idyllic. I've only ever been here on my own previously, but thought the grandchildren would enjoy an adventure. We learned about Nature and History from the information boards and they thoroughly enjoyed climbing up through the woods and past all the boats.

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  2. It's lovely to walk beside a river and this trip fulfilled the promise. I love that your granddaughter had her stuffed furry friend with her all the way! (as well as the other furry friend, of the live variety)

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    1. Oh yes - "Joe" the dog had to go along with her; I thought I would end up carrying him, but she kept tight hold of him all the time. Of course, Benji is always happy to join in any walk that involves the children.

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  3. Replies
    1. It was, Elizabeth - and for once the weather behaved itself.

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  4. Benji appears to be thoroughly enjoying himself.

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    1. He does enjoy his walks, especially if the children are there.

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  5. What a super walk, the fern-filled old quarry looks to be a splendid place. Love the picture of Benji hightailing it down those steps :)

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    1. He went up and down those steps several times, with the children calling him one way and me calling him the other!!! It all helps with his shrinking waistline.

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  6. What lovely photos of, obviously, a very lovely place. I had no idea that this place existed close to Saltash.
    Margaret P

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    1. Trematon Castle is close by, also the Churchtown Farm Nature Reserve, which is high above the river and reached via the path we were following. But we had to miss out on those two places because dogs aren't welcome everywhere.

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  7. This looks such a nice place. Lovely photos.
    Eloise at
    thisissixty.blog

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  8. Thank you for letting me know about the win, I had already been in touch with Mary via e-mail. Loved the beautiful photos of your walk, I will now follow with interest.

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  9. What a lovely walk, I enjoyed your photographs.

    All the best Jan

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