| Status: | Active, open to new members |
| Leader: | |
| When: | Weekly on Friday mornings |
New members are always welcome to join our walks, which are usually between five and seven miles. We stop for coffee early on in the walk and then for lunch later on. Please bring adequate food and drink, while a mat to sit on could be useful. Normally we meet in Callington and car share; the driver calculates the passenger contribution based on the mileage using an agreed table.
We aim to keep our walks within one hour travel time from Callington - North Cornwall Coast, Bodmin Moor, Dartmoor, South Cornwall Coast, South Devon Coast, and around Callington. Please telephone the leader of the walk (see programme) on the day between 8:00 and 8.15 am if you wish to join the walk. Those wishing to make their own way to the start point of the walk should still check with the leader on the day to confirm that there have been no changes to the walk details, including cancellation.
For more information about the group and future walks, which can be found from the Walk Programme link, please contact Richard or Gina by using the Contact link above. The walks programme can be downloaded by clicking the link here for 2025.
Brief reports of our walks can be found on the Callington u3a Facebook page which is a private group for Callington u3a members.
One for September
On Friday 26th September a large group from Walkers 1 went on a lovely walk from Cotehele. Commencing at the carpark we walked down to the weir where we had coffee. It was a gorgeous tranquil spot to sit for a while with the sound of the water beside us! We walked up through Comfort Wood, through the cherry orchard and as we crossed another field we could see Prospect Tower to our right. We followed the path back down through the woodland and joined the path to return to Cotehele. We enjoyed sitting in the sunshine on the picnic benches for lunch. Thank you, Judy, for a super walk.
Five in August
August started with a lovely walk from Cadover Bridge through woodland up to the top of the Dewarstone Rocks where we were treated to an amazing 360 degree view of the Devon and Cornwall hills and coastline and finished with a well earned ice cream !
The weather cooled down a little for our second walk from Minions to Gold Diggings Quarry where grandchildren were entertained by the baby ducks over the phone ! Then it was up to the top of Sharp Tor for a scenic lunch.
The sun finally burst through for our next walk, a spectacular seaside clifftop hike around the Rumps peninsular near Polzeath. There were no volunteers for the ‘sauna by the sea’ in the mid twenties heat but the big bonus was a sighting of seals by the rocks. However, try as we might to snap them, they evaded our cameras. Lots of pointing of fingers and phones and excited noises from the walkers though, so maybe not surprising they didn’t hang around !…
The warm weather held perfectly for our fourth circular jaunt of the month across the lush Tamar valley countryside from Scrubtor via Sydenham Damerel with it’s quaint old church, a perfect stopping place for lunch with comfortable seating.
Fitness levels were maintained as walkers were treated to a scenic fifth workout of the month through the impressive woods and fields around Downgate just north of Kelly Bray. Thanks to August walk leaders, Marcella, Frances, Richard. Margaret and Gill and welcome to recent new members Maya, Sue, Paul and Phil.
Summer in July
July started with one of the group’s favourites, the Bude seaside circular walk from the cliffs above Widemouth bay to Bude, along the canal and back. The weather smiled on us once again with gorgeous views and strange local wildlife; clifftop-balancing sheep and especially the web-spinning moths that built intricate canopies across the gorse bushes, perfectly captured as always in Annie’s photos.
Sadly the second walk of the month was cancelled as 25 degrees plus heat overtook Cornwall and a five and a half mile walk up and across Kit Hill suddenly became a little less attractive ! A few of us met at Louis’s tea rooms instead for a cooling drink and some lunch and chat !
The warm weather continued but was thankfully a little less intense for our third walk, another lovely, but more challenging seaside walk around Lantic Bay and Polruan. Last up was a wonderful six mile circular jaunt from Tavistock along the Drake’s trail across moorland and beside the rivers Waltham and Tavy, stopping for lunch at the beautifully picturesque Doublewaters, where the two rivers join. There’s still plenty of summer left, so why not join us on one of our Friday walks. You will be made most welcome. Contact Richard Ketley or Gina Davies
Flaming June
This month of June highlighted the supportiveness of our lovely members as a number swapped walks to cover each other. Many thanks to those who showed the great flexibility and mutual help that is at the core of Walkers 1. 🙏
June kicked off with a lovely walk from Rilla Mill across fields and through Stara woods and continued with a shortened walk from Polyphant to Gimblett’s Mill, which was made up for by the interesting array of stiles that were tackled by our hardy team in true commando style in the Cornish mizzle ! One stile with barbed wire ...across a publicfootpath !... tested our ingenuity and literally kept us on our toes !
Next up on a swelteringly hot day was a perfectly selected walk in the welcome shade of Deer Park and Canakey Woods with tables nicely left out for lunch in the picturesque village of Herodsfoot.
The last walk of the month was another enjoyable five mile stroll through the peaceful countryside around Saltash and Forder with lunch in the sunshine beside the pretty creek at Forder
The Merry Month of May
The month of May well and truly bloomed for our walks this month with some spectacular arrays of wild flowers decorating our walking routes, beautifully captured by our widely applauded ‘official’ photographer, Annie. Many thanks to her and to Marcella too for seamlessly standing in.
The month started with a nice stroll through the woods and countryside around Bray shop culminating in most welcome tea and cakes, generously provided by Frances. This was followed by a lovely bluebell walk around Burrator and Meavy in glorious sunshine where we heard our first cuckoo of the year.
The third walk of the month was our annual Memorial Walk walk from Yelverton to Buckland Monachorum, where walkers stopped at the Garden House to remember friends and walk group members who are no longer with us. The spirits of those old walkers served up a beautiful sunny day for us and an impressive cascade of Wisteria ! ❤️
The bluebells continued to bloom across Dartmoor for our fourth walk on another lovely sunny day and we are all looking forward to our first seaside walk of the year to see the month out at Wembury. Thanks as always to our walk leaders and all who support our group. So, if you are tempted to join us on a Friday morning walk or two, please contact Richard Ketley or Gina Davies. You will be made most welcome.
No liability is accepted by the Leader of the Walk, or by u3a , in respect of any personal loss, damage or injury that occurs on, or as a consequence of, any walk.
Walkers should wear suitable footwear and clothing appropriate to the walk and weather conditions and are advised to carry their own first aid kit and walking pole if required.
Sorry no dogs, except registered assistance ones kept on a lead.
All walks are recce'd a few days before they take place, and the Risk Assessment can be checked out here. - Callington U3A Walkers 1 Risk Assessment
Watch this space for latest Walkers 1 updates
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