Day 5 - Saturday 20 April 2024
Clannaborough Barton to Witheridge (12.5 miles)
Like a coiled spring - the Fudgemeister ready and able for another day on the Two Moors Way
The parking area at Clannaborough Barton - Fudge has had his paws waxed and once they are dried we are off. From here, Angie would drive over to Morchard Bishop and we would meet her there for lunch.
Heading down a thankfully bone dry field edge at Lammacott Farm
Fudge trundles through the woodland near Barn Shelley
This was another delightful stretch over fields and through woodland
Fudge has a moment of quiet contemplation as I catch him up at Barn Shelley
Shobrooke Bridge which crosses over "The Tarka Line" railway at Morchard Road. This line opened in 1854 between Crediton & Barnstaple and thankfully survived the Beeching cuts. It has become known as the Tarka Line in honour of the North Devon novellist Henry Williamson, author of Tarka the Otter.
My Oh My - woolly locals near Slade (see what I did there?)
Slade Farm
At Slade Farm I was joined by an interloper. The Collie was clearly a farm dog from the farm and spent about half an hour in our company all the way to Weeke where we managed to shake him off. I tried to call Slade Farm and let them know but unfortunately had no signal. Hopefully he got back ok.
When I reached the farm buildings at Weeke I realised I had inadvertently dropped my notebook - probably when I was trying to shake off the Collie. Angie bless her, with vague instructions from me went to look for it later once we had lunch at Morchard Bishop. Thankfully it was exactly where I had dropped it.
Arriving in Morchard Bishop
The War Memorial in Morchard Bishop
I love seeing simple things like this - a bench built to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of VJ Day
The memorial in Morchard Bishop to commemorate the crews of two Halifax Aircraft which collided over the area on the night of 15 November 1944
Silly not to I suppose - The London Inn, Morchard Bishop. The Inn is so named because of the old coach road that ran along Fore Street in the village between Barnstaple & Exeter and subsequently on to London, hence the name.
As promised, Angie joined us in the pubs fantastic outdoor seating for lunch - Fudge stands and waits for suitable reimbursement of treats for being a good boy
Having scoffed his scran, Fudge once more gives it the eyes for more
One of our favourite photos of our lovely boy
Church Street Stores & Cafe in Morchard Bishop
Morchard Bishop is a lovely village, especially on a day like today
The 15th century church of St Mary the Virgin in Morchard Bishop
Heading across fields to Morchard Wood
Fudge enjoying this wonderful terrain and weather (Click Play to view)
Not quite - a lovely chocolate one though
The route does not go through the hamlet of Black Dog but I broke off to make the 1/4 mile trip as I knew there was a pub there. Maybe it would be open??
The route does not go through the hamlet of Black Dog but I broke off to make the 1/4 mile trip as I knew there was a pub there. Maybe it would be open??
Bugger - its clearly not been a pub for a while (it shut its doors for good in February 2023)
The route passes a beautiful cob & thatch barn at Pyne Farm
From Pyne Farm the route heads across open farmland to Wonham Farm
The 19th century church of St Peter at Washford Pyne. The church was rebuilt following a fire around 1880.
We stopped at the church for a break - the locals were nice and quiet.
Heading down a sunken track towards Stourton Barton
Witheridge ahead - is that Angie I see in the distance??
Yes it was - and as you can see, Fudge was very pleased to see his Mum
The church of St John the Baptist in Witheridge. The church has a chancel dating from the 13th century but the bulk of the building dates from the 15th.
Journey's end for today at The Mitre Inn in Witheridge - don't mind if I do
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Day 5 Data
Mileage
Cumulative Mileage
Time
Total Ascent
Cumulative Mileage
Time
Total Ascent
12.5 miles
76.4 miles
5hrs 50mins
1893ft (577m)
76.4 miles
5hrs 50mins
1893ft (577m)