GUNNISLAKE to CALSTOCK via COTEHELE WOODS This morning we all met up in the hazy sunshine at Calstock a bit earlier than usual because we were due to catch this, the 9.54am bus up to Gunnislake station; in fact we actually got off by Delaware School to save us crossing the busy main road. From here we followed Maggie back along the lane where we turned left to walk down through the small woodland to Drakewalls Mine. While we were waiting for everyone to re-assemble at the bottom, Corinna (the boss of the Tamar Valley Centre) came through the gate and took a couple of impromptu photos of our group so everyone looks forward to seeing those one day. As we were standing right outside the AONB headquarters, I thought I’d give them a little mention this week. This eco-friendly building was opened by the Princess Royal on Monday 13th July 2009. Princess Anne arrived by helicopter which landed on the Albaston Millennium Green where I imagine she was driven down to the centre by car. (On the left is a photo taken that day by Cyndy as the Princess headed towards the building). On arrival Anne was greeted by Calstock parish councillor John Roberts and went on to unveil a plaque on the outside of the building. (This was later removed and positioned at the top of the internal staircase). Dressed in a beige and pink suit, the Princess was presented with a Tamar Valley fruit tree before she left to visit the Cotehele Estate. On we all walked today, past the cemetery where so many local miners and their families are buried; then on through Albaston until we reached a gate leading into a steep grassy field; this was on the left hand side of the lane. Once through the gate everyone headed downwards to reach the stile in the corner with Maggie leading the way. Safely across, it was downhill all the way through the shady woodland to Danescombe keeping the small stream on our left and tip-toeing along the rocky path. By the time we paused for a break, the weather had turned quite warm and some of us found we were a bit over-dressed. But it wasn’t long before we were back in the shady woodland again and heading uphill towards the Cotehele estate. At the highest point there was a small bench that seated four but three of the biggest men grabbed the opportunity to sit while the ladies could only look on! Soon we were heading downhill again; it was all up and down this week, but what’s new? Arriving at the Danescombe Valley at the junction with Lower Kelly it was still early, so everyone had another break in the sunshine. It’s just so good to be retired and have ‘the time to stand and stare’; on this occasion we chose to stand silently beside the River Tamar at the Ashburton Bend. Some House Martins were ducking and diving around us and over the water as they caught insects in flight for their lunch. For us humans it was just a short walk before everyone was re-united with their cars and heading home for their own lunch. .