Despite decidedly dubious weather a group of intrepid travellers and bikes met at Crediton railway station on Sat 18th July and boarded the 10.38am train for Barnstaple. 

Travelling in 4's the return fare was just £3.44 each!! What a bargain!

We had plenty of time to chat on the journey and then split into 3 parties at Barnstaple station: One party cycled to Bideford along the Tarka trail, another walked to Fremlingham Quay also along the trail, and the third went shopping in Barnstaple!!

Being a member of the walking party I enjoyed identifying many wading birds on the beautiful estuary as we strolled along, and being educated by Linda Lever about many of the lovely wild flowers we saw along the path. There were skylarks and sparrows and even the odd early ripe blackberry to eat as we passed. It began to rain just before we reached Fremlingham and so we retreated to the tearoom there for tea and delicious home made cakes before walking back to the station after the rain stopped. 

It was a great day out and all 3 groups met back at the station for a friendly chatty journey home, secure in the knowledge we had enjoyed ourselves without adding unduly to our carbon footprints!!.