Just a stone’s throw from the bustle of the city in Trevallyn, we found ourselves in a place that feels worlds away from everything. It is a bit of a shock to the system, really, how you can go from urban streets to a deep, rugged gorge in a matter of minutes. We spent the morning wandering along the edge of the water, and the sheer scale of the rock faces is enough to make you feel very small indeed.
The sun was out in full force, and the water had that deep, still quality that makes you want to stop every few metres just to take it all in. We eventually found a great vantage point to capture a memory of us both. Steve made sure his trusty broad-brimmed hat was on straight, while Lisa was just happy the wind wasn't whipping her hair across her face for once!
As we continued along the track, we were struck by how the buildings here seem to grow right out of the cliffs. There is a beautiful house perched precariously on the side of the gorge, overlooking the river. It’s the kind of place that makes you wonder how on earth they got the materials up there, and what it must be like to have your morning cuppa while looking down into the depths.
We also came across a fantastic rustic shelter further along the path. The kids would have loved the way the supports are made from gnarled branches, making the whole structure look like something out of a storybook. It fits perfectly into the landscape, almost as if the trees themselves decided to huddle together to provide a bit of shade for tired walkers. Lisa thought it was a lovely bit of craftsmanship, while Steve was mostly just keen to use the bench for a quick breather.
Later in the day, we decided to head over to the Tamar Island Wetlands. To be honest, we’ve been on quite a few wetlands walks in our time and weren't sure if this one would offer anything new, but we are so glad we gave it a go. The boardwalks are excellent, stretching out over the mudflats and through the reeds.
The tide was out, revealing the intricate patterns of the silt and the little channels of water snaking through the greenery. It was incredibly peaceful. We stood for quite a while watching the birds—there were seagulls and several species of waterbirds making the most of the shallows. It’s a very different beauty to the rugged rocks of the gorge, much softer and more expansive.
It’s been a day of real contrasts, from the high, steep walls of the gorge to the wide-open horizons of the wetlands. We’re certainly clocking up the kilometres on our boots, but when the scenery is this good, you hardly notice the sore feet until you finally sit down for dinner.
