With a Vermillion Blaze Upon Black

Sarah and I had come back to Devon. We had two things to do. One was to scatter her Father's ashes, the other was to have a mini-break, here and in Cornwall.
We laid Frank to rest near where he used to live and at the same spot where her sister and sister's husband were laid four years ago.
Northam Burrows is a beautiful spot overlooking the Taw and Torridge estuary. This shot is looking east towards the village of Appledore. The tide was out, exposing the salt marsh and mud, it was cloudy but calm and mild.

This area is an important area for Birds to feed and breed. Locally there were reports of the Dalmation Pelican that had been flitting between here and Cornwall in the last few weeks plus a rare Glossy Ibis also, but we had more important matters to attend to.
As we walked back to the cars, Skylarks flitted overhead and pictured here is a Wheatear. Getting some last feeds in before it undertakes it's journey south.

After a quick cuppa, we left Sarah's Mum to stay with friends for the next few days and headed to our first port of call and overnight stay. Hartland Quay Hotel sits right on the rocks overlooking the Atlantic ocean with Lundy Island in the near distance.

The coastline on the West Coast is dramatic and stunning. We checked in and had a walk before dinner. The tide was coming in and although very little wind the swell of the Ocean still produces some force.

The geology of the area gives some great textures to photograph.

So does the bladder wrack on the shore

Sarah and I had visited here with her Mum and Dad at least 14 years previous and I remembered Rock Pipits featured strongly. There were still around in numbers and very confiding.

We retired for some ale, cider and a hearty meal. It had been an emotional day.

We rose early and the view from our room was rather beautiful. After breakfast, we checked out and decided on a short walk along the coast path.

Starting in the car park, there were lots of Pipits and Robins plus an occasional Grey Wagtail that wouldn't settle.

The sun was starting to show itself which made for better photography.

Although mainly blooming in June, the Thrift or Sea Pink was hanging on in places

As was the Red Campion

We made our way towards St Catherines Tor.

Small Puffballs were growing in the short grass

Stonechats were numerous along the coast, readying for migration.

As we got back to the car, a Wheatear and another Rock Pipit posed obligingly on the sign post. The Wheatear looking splendid in the sunrise. As I photographed, it regurgitated a pellet of insect carapaces. Unwanted exoskeletons of the insects it had been eating. I know this because after it had flown away, I inspected the regurgitated mass.

It hung around the car park but we had to leave and head south towards Cornwall.
Sarah was trying to tell me something as she sat in the car but I couldn't hear her?!

A pit stop at a favourite town Camelford brought mixed feelings. The whole town had an air of delapidation. Many shops and a pub sat empty.

One pub still open was The Masons Arms. We stayed here 16 years ago and Jo still runs the place. It wasn't what it used to be but always worth a drop in for a pint and a catch up. We acquired a mangle here back then which sat forlornly in the beer garden. We still have it. 

One shop and still open, is an absolute must for us. The best pasties in Cornwall we have tasted. Still top class after all these years!

We carried on. Our destination being Cadgwith Cove on the Lizard Peninsular. We have stayed here before at the Inn. It has new owners, not the Herring Gulls that sat on the roof but a lovely couple who have improved on what was an excellent pub into a superb one.

Simple newly decorated rooms, quite amazing food, Oh and there just happened to be an Ale and Cider Festival on too. Pure coincidence you have to realise.

The village has a small but thriving fishing industry that goes back centuries. It was the focus of a BBC TV series a couple of years ago called 'The Fishermans Apprentice' starring Monty Halls.
The fish and crustaceans that they brought back in their catch we ate in the pub, delicious!

We settled in and walked onto 'The Todden' A promontory that juts out into the harbour. The weather was almost hot for an October day and a friendly Jackdaw strutted around us picking up morsels.

Looking out into the distance,I picked up several Gannets fishing. Although distant, I got some half decent shots.

The Jackdaw continued to amuse. I love the character of these birds.

Another member of the Corvid family I heard and recognised immediately, the Raven

You are almost guaranteed to see them along the coast here. A truly iconic South West animal. Their call being the soundtrack to this part of the world along with the call of the Buzzard.

Sarah went for a rest but with the weather being so good I wanted to explore the South West Coast path and headed up and East out of the village. Red Admirals were taking advantage of the blooming Ivy flowers. These Butterfly would be a constant theme over the next few days.

Before I even got halfway up the path to the cliff I was stopped in my tracks as I spied a Small Copper in the front garden of one of the cottages.
The perfect evening light lit up the perfect Butterfly in the perfect spot. It couldn't have been in a better position. I laid on the path so my shadow didn't disturb it and to get closer.

A hundred shots later, we were both disturbed by walkers coming along the path.

The Hoverfly, Bees and Wasps also took advantage of the Ivy bounty

The view back towards Cadgwith and the Inn on the right.

Some great views along the cliff path

Betony still flowered along the path, sheltered from the winds

As did the Toadflax. These appear in June and can last into November.

I nearly squashed the caterpillar of the Garden Tiger Moth. I'm always aware of seeing these creatures and was thinking about one just before this appeared.

Stonechats were a constant along here as before.

I caught sight of a raptor. It was a Kestrel. It was fleeting but I was to get better views on another day so I need not have worried.

I reached the end of my walk east and turned back. Not before a lovely sight of Kennack Sands in the distance. As I walked there were constant sightings of migrating Red Admirals every few minutes.

The evening light highlighted the stunning colours of the Lichen on the Granite

I reached a gate and saw many Red Admiral feeding on the Ivy again. There must have been 20 here at least. I saw one land on the post in front of me so I sneaked up for a different shot looking down on it.

Heading back towards Cadgwith, Large Whites were also numerous.

These Red Hot Pokers do well in the micro climate around the village.

As I headed back to change for dinner and my first Real Ale of the festival the Red Admirals basked on the cottages in the fading light.
Not a bad start to the trip with perfect weather too. Something that would stay with us for the coming days....

N.B. The title of this post is from the poem 'Red Admirals' by Roger Elkin