This was a new destination for us so we weren’t quite sure what to expect as we rode through Tuckenhay and Tideford to Stoke Flemming. We were checking our maps at the head of the dead-end track that led to the cove when a local woman warned us that there was no access to the beach.

Her warnings didn’t stop us having a look for ourselves of course. The descent turned out to be steep and overgrown with a profusion of nettles and brambles - Budgie complained all the way down. When we reached the grassy approach to the cove we discovered a fence that prevented us going any further: presumably the cove itself is unsafe. We contented ourselves with enjoying lunch in the company of the local dragonflies and voles before trying to identify a different route back to the road.

After some exploration we found a path that brought us out at the hamlet of Little Dartmouth, from where we followed the high bridleway around the coast to Dartmouth castle and town: the views from the path were magnificent, so I’m sure we’ll be doing it again sometime.

Having refreshed ourselves in the Spinning Wheel cafe we manoeuvred our way though Dartmouth’s bustling streets to the Kingswear ferry and then rode home through Galmpton, Aish, Berry Pomeroy, Littlehempston and Caddaford.