Devon interlude: estuary views

Devon interlude: estuary views

Views across the Exe at Topsham. In the first shot, the superbly-sited riverfront property masks the view of the M5 which crosses the river just upstream, giving a 24-hour background noise.

The wreck has been slowly disintegrating for over a decade now. The high ground beyond it is Haldon Forest. The small cottage was for the keeper of the Topsham lock on the Exeter Canal, the first in England to have pound locks. The canal runs alongside the river, on the opposite side to the one-time major port of Topsham.

Devon interlude: egret, Exeter Quay

Devon interlude: egret, Exeter Quay

A little egret stalking along a jetty at Exeter Quay, intently watching the river. Every few paces, its head flashed down as it grabbed yet another small fish which had come too close to the edge of the water.

Autumn fruit: acer

Autumn fruit: acer

Many fruit, nuts and berries are beginning to ripen. These were on an acer growing by the pavement on a quiet residential street.