Jake cannot resist anything that looks remotely like a good high stretch of grass, he hurtles into it with abandon. Being the smaller of the two dogs he sometimes has the advantage on Caesar because he can see where Mr Fox has been.! Not just smell him, (and Jake is an amazing tracker) He can often see the tunnels through extremely long grass caused by the Fox on its own deadly hunt during the night.
I can let Jake run a good 20 feet on his Flexi lead but the problem has not been his run, it has been Ticks. Oh euwwww they have been a pain this year. Were we are currently is along the River Avon. The fields here haven't been cut for a long time, once a year at most, they are thick with Ticks amongst other things. Slow Worms, Grass Snakes, and huge spiders but the Ticks have been the main issue. Poor Jake had one of the vile little pests on his eyelid. OUCH ,
So the public right of way marked as being from Loddiswell Station to Topsham Bridge. Through the Kahdr Estate in parts. We walked through the countryside part of the walk. Where various write ups say 'quiet country lanes' I always want to shout at the author...have you ever walked down a country lane? tractors, harvesters, drivers in four by fours who bowl along at speeds that are not exactly slow...and unexpected bicyclists ...yes the roads 'can' be quiet, but why walk a road when the main path...is through a quiet and beautiful countryside?
Following the old railway line. Is muddy in places, not too bad as long as your good on your feet and wearing wellies. As much for yourself and protecting your ankles and calves from the Ticks as for keeping your feet from being wet. Jakes body had a thorough search when we got back because he really doesn't do well if bitten by anything, it can trigger his epilepsy off.
Caesar had a different experience due to his very thin skin and fur he had to have sunblock rubbed along his back, the sun was fierce and he goes 'Barbie Pink' very quickly. He had several ticks trying to burrow under his tender flesh around his chest and under his belly in the groin and on his tail! They took ages to remove.
Staying out of the longer grass he wanted a dip in the river...not really a good idea, its very fast flowing at the moment , very clean as you would expect River Avon feeds into the water supply for humans. Seeing it filled with the red mud from the hills after a rainfall is really a wow moment and it can flood this little path but today, it was a good fast flowing crystal clear water.
Denied a swim, Caesar contented himself with attempting to eat huge snails and chasing a snake but I stopped him doing both. The look your seeing in his image...is because he saw the wild Deer. Currently there are two young deer wandering around. how much longer for is a mute question with hunters and so on, but for now these gorgeous animals are roaming freely through the land and Caesar would have 'loved' to chase them. That focussed vision was right there.
A pleasant walk if a little overgrown in places, brambles spoil the edges of the Public Right of Way, there are numerous abandoned machinery along the path on the privately owned land and accessing the fields is prohibited (and tick ridden) as it is private property. The path over the old railway bridge is very overgrown, nettles and brambles, so a good coat for the human and a stout walking stick to hack them down so the dogs avoid sore eyes or scratched skin is probably a good idea.
Sadly the advertising blurb doesn't match the reality. Agricultural and Industrial archeology comprises of rusty overgrown machinery and a few broken walls, but for the true enthusiast you can figure it out. Barbistelle,Pipistrelle, Daubenton and Long Eared bats swoop around the area. Several Owls make their presence known. A late evening walk can be restful, peaceful and very fulfilling for human and dogs.
The wildlife is proliferate, dragon flies, Buzzards, and all sorts in between, Palmate and Crested Newts rub shoulders with frogs like this cute fellow . Amazing collection of wild flowers, probably the most varieties I have ever seen 'all in one place', not so happy to see Japanese Knotweed and
Fantastic walk for wearing the dogs out, and me...but not a well kept walk, it has its issues.
ADVICE
Walking Stick
Strong Wellies or waterproof boots (very muddy)
Good strong thorn proof clothing
Water for the dogs if your out a while, drinking from the river isn't achievable safely.
You can access fuller information from this link but the picture they have used is 'to' the walk not the walk itself.
http://walks.walkingworld.com/Walk/Loddiswell-Station---Topsham-Bridge---Woolston-Farm-Circuit.aspx
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