I think that sometimes things lie so much on our doorstep, that we never take the time to appreciate them. Here in South Devon, we're blessed with some of the most beautiful countryside in the world, yet how many of us watch it zoom by on our daily drive to work, or brush it aside to concentrate on booking that important and relaxing holiday abroad? Enter a bank holiday, and a five-mile drive to the beautiful Canonteign Falls.
The Canonteign Falls estate incorporates lovely woodland, numerous lakes and abundant wildlife, the perfect escape for a sunny morning. Its crowning glory is the 67-foot-high waterfall, created in 1890 and the tallest in England. The waterfall was the idea of the third Lady Exmouth, who instructed that water from the above leat should be allowed to cascade over the rock formation. The result is a stunning, haunting, misty sight, gallons of water gushing over the cliff top, crashing into the pool below, and shifting with some speed down the hill to its final destination, the lowland lakes.
The lakes were looking picture-perfect tranquil as me made our way away from the fast-flowing falls. Out of reach of the crashing cascade, the water settles serenely, the sunshine shimmering off the still water's surface. We bought some duck food, and spent a delightful half hour tempting the variety of waterfowl that call this place home. A gaggle of Canada geese soon found us, surrounded by seven or eight goslings, chirping away in the sunshine. After a little hesitation, they made a beeline for our food and, although not quite allowing themselves to be hand-fed, they weren't far off.
The beauty of nature is hard to beat, and when it's already in your neck-of-the-woods, it's definitely worth exploring. So get those muddy boots on, take a trip to a nearby woodland, and enjoy an hour in the company of your local wildlife. We were certainly glad we did!
Absolutely lovely! ;-)
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