This was our 75th walk to which 19 hounds were attracted - possibly by the unexpected gift of a wodge of free doggy treats donated by Messrs Sainsbury's Bank to recompense their statement in The Guardian that Basset Hounds were "sedentary and no interest to outdoorsy people who liked to ramble every weekend."

Malcolm ably led us along the river, up and over some modest rocky steps and to lunch stop at Castle Drogo (above). We coped with a few light showers, but the views down the valley and over to Dartmoor were sublime with bluebells, gorse and blossom in profusion.

4½ miles of bliss rounded off by a welcome pint at the Fingle Bridge Inn - which is what it's all about really.