2020-05-28 50 -3

Location

On a solar farm between Woodbury and Lympstone.

Participants

Expedition

Departed around 14.50 and cycled down the Exe River, today crossing much further upstream than on the 16th. Continued through the forest paths of the river valley towards Topsham.

Diverted from route very slightly in order to go down to the Estuary shore. In actual fact I just got lost. Proceeded to get lost several times while trying to pass through Topsham. Small, unfamiliar towns with unclear street plans can be a pain sometimes.

Followed a path parallel to the railway over the River Clyst; it took me a bit too long to work out the other path was the railway. Passed a steep passage up the bank leading into a tunnel. Decided not to explore as it was too steep to safely climb and surrounded by thornbushes.

Left the railway and passed through Exton, joining the A376. Here I spotted two (2) magpies, though I was only able to photograph one. Followed the A376 before turning east into Woodmanton. Along the way to the geohash I encountered some rather ambivalent horses. Stopped shortly before the hash to explore a small area of woodland but didn't get photos.

I had planned to cycle as close the hash as I could get along the road and complain about trespassing but found an entrance to the fields some distance before and dismounted to enter. Turned out I could get into the field just next to the one with the hash, which was underneath a solar panel array, and was able to see it through a hole in the hedge. Then found a gate into the field itself. Wasn't able to approach the hash due to CCTV probably indicating no access but I was technically in the same field as the hash (there was a wire fence between me and the solar panels), so I'm counting it.

Had a snack in a tunnel through one of the hedges; there were quite a few 'tunnels' on this expedition. Journey back was rushed and uneventful; returned around 18.30.