Country diary: Ferns and ivy sparkle in the wet undergrowth | Virginia Spiers

Saltash, Tamar Valley: An afternoon of low sun and sunny showers as we walk through lush grass and clover, and take in views of Ince CastleAfter another wet night, rainbows and spells of sunshine accompany dog walkers and visitors following paths through fields of the Churchtown Farm nature reserve. This popular community space, adjoining housing estates on the edge of Saltash, affords open views across the tidal estuary of the Lynher River. On the opposite bank of this sheltered anchorage, shadowy woodland fronts the Antony estate; Maker's church tower is distinguishable on the far southern horizon of the Rame peninsula. The low sun makes dazzling mirrors of the Hamoaze (at the Tamar/Lynher confluence) and Plymouth Sound and, out to sea, the Great Mew Stone is a pale conical silhouette.A trampled muddy path through lush grass and clover in Wearde Park leads to a higher vantage point in the field of Hitchings; from here the shell keep of Trematon Castle comes into view and, further upriver, square corner towers of Ince Castle catch the morning light. Continue reading...