Woodbury Salterton

I began just two weeks ago, yet the cycling bug has bitten me hard. Today, at lunch-time, I go for a little three mile excursion to the fascinating, beautiful, unspoilt Devon village of Woodbury Salterton.

Before lunch, at work, I dreamt of getting out, away from the office, on the bicycle, into some fresh air and the shop I'd passed before. I knew there two pubs there, too, and I'd have just enough time for one pint.

I head out along the A3052 Sidmouth Road, taking the side lane just before Westpoint, heading off towards Kenniford Farm and Heathfield cross. Delightful! The recent rains have given way to stunning, mid-spring sunshine, which always leave Devon looking its best. Lush verdant, green fields and grass banks, with daisies and buttercups popping through, accompanied by a gentle, comforting breeze as I make my way along the country lane towards Woodbury Salterton.

The signpost says 'Woodbury Salterton 1 1/2 miles', seemingly a long way for a lunch-time jaunt. I continue nonetheless. It's a gentle uphill all the way going out, but you know what rewards that brings on the return journey.

Past Heathfield cross, little hamlets spring up, as I accompany the Grindle Brook and its valley on my left towards its source in Woodbury Salterton. Funnily enough, I work at its expiration at Winslade Park, where gives up its struggle to become a river and simply merges with the River Clyst, a lesser of the many East Devon estuaries, itself flowing into the River Exe well before it reaches the sea at Exmouth.

I enter Woodbury Salterton in a sharp descent. The old church Holy Trinity is enormous for the size of village; the Diggers Rest public house is equally impressive, a real gem of a country pub, more of a gastro-pub as is the like these days.

I take a quick half of lager and immediately bump into a colleague (off on holiday for the day), Pew. He in a party of about 20 celebrating someone's 75th birthday.