Wolves Wild

Devon red cattle, beef cows. These are part of the herd of Darts Farm, by the road from Exeter to Exmouth.

The Bridge at Topsham carries a fast-rotating selection of local real ales, served from barrels at the back of the bar. Opening times are limited to those imposed in the wartime restrictions just over a century ago.

The beer garden overlooks the River Clyst, a tidal tributary of the River Exe, where a weir often disappears underwater at high tides. Downstream from the pub to its confluence with the Exe there’s a series of RSPB reserves, with others nearby.

My first glimpse of the river on the morning this picture was taken came when I passed it on the bus. There had then been a heron and a lesser egret, quite close together, fishing at the weir.

By the time I had walked (slowly) back from the bus stop the heron had disappeared. The egret had moved upriver, and could just be seen, close to the bank, by a distant bend.

Views did get better later (to be continued …)

A passionflower plant in a front garden in a quiet lane near the Exe estuary. The fruit were ripening, while the last of the flowers had not quite disappeared.

A second evening watching a gaudy sunset reflected in the calm waters of the River Exe at low tide, seen from the terrace of the Passage House Inn at Topsham.

Summer finally arriving in early September after a cool and damp July and August. Darts Farm, by the road from Exeter to Exmouth, is a very elaborate, rather upmarket farm shop. The sheep and pig were grabbing every inch of shade in their pens, less than happy at the unaccustomed heat.

Looking across a placid River Exe as the sun sinks creating gaudy lighting effects, as seen from the river wall of the Passage House Inn at Topsham.