We were leaving the New Mills area – yet another National Trust location.
We arrived close by the waters of the River Valency which we were to follow down to Boscastle. After quite a steep descent down to the valley floor the path now seemed quite level, but the rushing waters in the stream indicated it was still downhill.
Tributaries hurtled down the steep valley side to swell the waters of the Valency.
The Valency itself tumbled along its rock strewn course.
It was time for a drink and a handy seat was provided for just this purpose.
Thanks Tommy, very handy. The seat was at a branching of the ways. We could have crossed the stream on a footbridge and headed up to Minster Church.
This would have taken us to another National Trust area.
The bridge gave a good view of the Valency and the direction post provided a suitable prop for a camera. So here’s two happy coffee drinkers.
The Valency was beginning to look a little more mature – broader and slightly less in a rush to complete its journey to the sea at Boscastle. Below you can play ‘spot the dipper’.
Aha. There it is.
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Trees along the valley were wonderfully sculpted.
This area is below Minster Church. We’ll return to Boscastle and the flood at some point but these dribbles of water played havoc with the church at the time of the flood.
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As we approached Boscastle the path had weather worn boulders along it – a sign, perhaps, of the power of moving water.
These boulders had obviously been placed but maybe a middle one or two had been washed away for these were stepping stones – a way across the river.
Even in older age, the Valency still could be youthful in habit, rushing over the rock strewn river bed.
Ahead of us was civilisation – Boscastle and guess what? The Valency Valley belongs to the National Trust!
