On my birthday earlier this month, a day out to the South hams was planned and when a colleague suggested Aveton Gifford, I thought why not? He described the Avon estuary as a lovely place to walk and I was intrigued by the Tidal Road.
He said there would be a lot of birds and there were plenty of swans and this solitary egret, but he saw us coming and legged it. 
As we approached the Tidal road this beauty went haring past, I wondered if he knew something we didn’t, but remembered I had checked the tide tables the day before.
The wild flowers were lovely, the gentle palette of red campion, sea thrift, and honeysuckle, were a treat on a grey, misty morning.
This is the section of the road that gets covered, I really wouldn’t want to get caught in that mud. 
We took a high path that some locals recommended for the view, which would have been better had the sun shone, and this is where we turned back because the rain was setting in.
After lunch and a chat with my favourite local artist, at an exhibition of her work in Kingsbridge, http://emmacarter.com/main.php?g2_itemId=202&g2_enterAlbum=0 (I want this one so badly!), we called at Beesands where the weather was even worse.
Next was Torcross, where a World War 2 Sherman Tank resides as part of a memorial. Torcross was used as a practice ground for 30,000 American troops, because of its resemblance to the beaches of the D Day landings in Normandy.
Parallel to Torcross beach lies Slapton Ley, a wetland with a diverse (and hiding) wildlife. Although it is only separated from the sea by a narrow strip of shingle, it is freshwater, the biggest natural lake in the South West.
The last stop of the day was at Blackpool sands, which were neither Blackpool, thank goodness, or sand, but at there was a little colour.
Finally home via the Higher Ferry at Dartmouth. 
The weather may have been miserable but I had a lovely birthday and a lovely month. This is a long post for me, I hope I haven’t bored you senseless, but I do love the South Hams area of Devon!
Lucid Gypsy 
Beatifully put together and lovely commentary 🙂
Thanks my lovely 🙂
Happy belated birthday…glad you had fun, even though the weather wasn’t cooperating. Great photos and you could never bore me. I need to visit this area.
You would love it! and I’m so pleased that you like the post 🙂
Happy birthday, Gilly – here, let me ship you some sun!
Received … but now its going again!
Thank you for these lovely pics Gilly? We may well take a trip ourselves.
I’m sure you have been to Devon, but the south hams?
Thank you for the trip down memory lane. What a lovely, if bit grey, outing. You even included a pic of my fathers cottage in Torcross, which made this a very special account for me. Thank you for sharing the beauties of Devon.
Ah I’m glad you enjoyed it, was the cottage one of the row across the water? Or on the seafront?
Belated Happy Birthday. Such a beautiful place to spend a unforgettable day. The pictures are stunning. Being close to the sea, being around a coastal scene is a magical moment. Thanks for sharing them to us.
Thanks so much! they would have been better with blue skies but never mind. I’m so pleased you visited me 🙂
From one June birthday person to another …. looks like a beautiful and atmospheric day out. Nice way to spend a special day.
I hope you had a lovely birthday month too! 🙂
Lovely day for a birthday … thank you for sharing how you spent one of your special birth days this month. i, too, love celebrating the entire month. Why not ??? It only comes up once a year.
I believe i am falling in love with the South Hams area of Devon, too.
Toodles,
Izzy
Goody, I aim to make everyone love my beautiful Devon 😉
What an beautiful place Gilly! Seems like your day turned out pretty special despite the weather!
It was perfect Madhu 🙂
though I’m too late: Happy Birthday Gilly!
P.S.:
I like the white car ALU 323 …
I like to throw in the odd photo that men will like!
A lovely part of the country to spend your birthday, Gilly. Thanks for sharing your day with the photos. Those wild flowers are so pretty. 😉
Thank you, there were lots more flowers 🙂
Lovely photos
I’m glad you liked them 🙂
Those were lovely pictures! 🙂 Makes me want to visit!
It’s beautiful there Eva!
Hmmm … I remember that Today entry of yours to that challenge … 😀
I’m glad you continued on or else you wouldn’t have shared us these…
GREAT GREAT IMAGES, Gilly!!! I especially love the er? canoes/kayaks.
Canoes I think Rommel! you were in my spam,don’t know if thats just mine or if your comments to other people have the same problem 😉
Such interesting photos of a part of England new to me, and rather different.
Grand that all the mist and drizzle didn’t spoil a fine birthday!
One of Englands best kept secrets!
Beautiful photographs — love the boats at low tide. A belated Happy Birthday!
Jane
Such lovely photos, Gilly. They are all good. I LOVE that tidal road! All of the scenery is lovely, even if the sun wasn’t shining. I didn’t know your birthday was coming up, but I’m so glad you had a good day. By the way — this is a switch: The birthday girl gave all of us a birthday card with beautiful pictures and text. Thanks for letting us help you celebrate. Many, many happy returns!
What a beautiful outing… I love and miss that landscape. 😉