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Walking Land's End to John o'Groats with Mark Moxon

Crediton to Tiverton

A pretty thatched cottage in Shobrooke
A pretty thatched cottage in Shobrooke

The weather is seriously starting to get on my tits. I picked May as a sensible month in which to start this walk because towards the end of May the weather is supposed to get more summery, and from there to early August, when I'm scheduled to finish in northern Scotland, it's supposed to be a pretty reasonable climate for walking. Unfortunately the country is currently experiencing unseasonable misery, and for the first time in my life I'm in danger of understanding what sufferers of Seasonal Affective Disorder go through.

The tranquil River Exe
The tranquil River Exe
Thatchers at work in Shobrooke
Thatchers at work in Shobrooke

Thinking in the Rain

The Exe Valley
The sweeping vista of the Exe Valley

The weather aside, today was a pleasant if plodding walk, following lanes from Crediton east to Thorverton, before turning north to follow the Exe Valley Way all the way to Tiverton.

Bickleigh Castle
Bickleigh Castle
The Exe Valley Way
The Exe Valley Way as it winds its way gently through Devon
A very muddy path
Mud on the Exe Valley Way

The Exe Valley Way

The entrance gate to Bickleigh Castle
The entrance gate to Bickleigh Castle

Mention should be made of the Exe Valley Way, which must be a lovely little walk in good weather. It goes all the way from the River Exe's source at Hawkridge on Exmoor to the mouth of the river just south of Exeter, and although I only followed eight miles of the Way from Thorverton to Tiverton, it was delightful.