It was a lovely sunny afternoon so my hubby suggested we go out for a bit, taking the Trekinetic with us – I haven’t used it very much lately, because whenever my hubby has been free to take me out (and he’s been so busy lately that that hasn’t been often), I have either been too tired, or busy doing something else. I hate to turn down the opportunity for an outing though, so it was great to go this afternoon. The Trekinetic was ideal for this outing because it’s an all-terrain wheelchair and some of the ground was quite uneven, and there was grass and gravel to negotiate, all of which presented no problem at all for this great machine!
He had recently been to Cockington with his walking group and wanted to show me a new place to explore. Usually when we have been there, we’ve just wandered around the craft workshops, but as part of the estate for the manor house, there is a lovely walk through the woods, past a series of small lakes.
We began in the village, which is full of gorgeous thatched cottages, some of which have been turned into shops and cafes etc.
The gift shop was rather fun, with its wonky wooden pillars at the front.
On display outside were two old bellows from its original use as a forge, and a large display of horse brasses.
Walking around the village, I found this interesting texture scratched into the face of one of the cottages, slightly reminiscent of wood bark.
One of my favourite plants- wall-pennyworts, growing out of an old mossy wall. Until he met me, my hubby had never noticed these humble little plants before. They vary in size from tiny, almost pin-prick size, up to large flabby plates – always the same circular slightly waxy rubbery leaves with a central stem.
Leaving the village proper, and striking off up the lane to the woods. I love this house straddling the road.
Just beyond this was this intriguing little archway leading to a flight of stone steps.
Beautiful woodland with a variety of mature trees, just beginning to show the signs of autumn.
Approaching the lakes. Gorgeous colours and textures of the trees beyond.
The first of the small lakes.
The Lakes Walk sign.
Another lake, complete with ducks. Aren’t the trees gorgeous?
More humble green plants growing at the base of the bank. Even among the weeds, there are beautiful shapes and textures. I love how the dandelion radiates from the centre, and the tiny ferns beyond.
We found this intriguing building. My hubby said it was a barn, with the lattice arrangement at the top to allow for ventilation, but it was obviously also a house.
He said the lattice was glazed inside, so obviously this as a barn conversion.
Some exposed tree roots wildly cascading down the slope.
Another archway across the track, this time being a bridge to carry the road across. I love the tall moss-clad walls, rich in vegetation, and the magestic trees towering above.
My hubby examining an ancient cider press.
Inside, you can see the track around which a large stone wheel would have been rolled, crushing the apples, and the juice wold have flowed out through the hole on the left-hand side. The large wheel would probably have been pulled around by a horse.
Today was their Apple Day, but unfortunately by the time we arrived it was closed. We’d had rather a late lunch and didn’t set off till about 3 p.m.
Arriving at the craft workshops we found these two horse-drawn carriages – one for weddings and the other for funerals.
As usual there was a small sculpture trail, and we found these flower sculptures.
One of the shops where the craft workshops are – ceramic ornaments with a seaside theme. I love her blue and white nautical bunting decorating the ceiling of the shop.
The village is full of intriguing thatched cottages, many of which we decided had been built by Lutyens, who built the Drum Inn, where we recently had lunch.
The old School House, now selling ice creams.
Across the grass from the Drum Inn is a matching circular stone staircase, obviously also designed by Lutyens.
The Drum Inn. We are looking forward to going there again for lunch.
Water mill.
The mill wheel.
Back towards the car park.
I love this curving staircase.
Cockington is such a picturesque village with all its interesting thatched buildings. My hubby describes it as “real choccie box” and it’s heaving in the summer with all the visitors. It’s an interesting place with the architecture and the arts and crafts workshops and their frequent sculpture trails, and as we have discovered, some lovely walks.
By the time we got back to the car we were both quite cold. The sun was going down and the air had a distinct autumnal chill. Time to get back home for a nice cup of tea!
