Not sure what she has in mind: can't be mistletoe with Covid - so surely funny hats at least - maybe roasted chestnuts - hot mince pies - mulled punch - saucy crackers? Who knows? Turn up to find out is the only answer.

Though it's one of our shorter walks at only 4½ miles, it is very attractive as we stroll beside the river Teign for much of the way. Gay will be our leader. We cater well for the Inner Man (or Woman) by starting - and finishing - by an excellently situated pub by the river - and we also manage to slip in a café stop halfway round, so no-one can say this is a strenuous walk. (To refresh your memory for what happened in 2020 see here)

It will be our 136th walk. The first half of the walk is generally flat, with one moderately steep set of rock steps to go down, then there is a steady climb up to the back of the castle and then the final descent back to the Fingle Bridge Inn.

There are a few nice places to stop for breathers/food breaks as required, and the route can be adjusted if the weather is not very friendly.

Castle Drogo, for those who don’t know it, is a Lutyens designed country home built between 1910 and 1920 for a grocer, one Julius Drewe. It was the last castle built in Britain and the only one built entirely of granite. Lutyens designed it largely by “mail order” while he was involved in building New Delhi. It is undergoing a £20 million refit.

To find the start 10.30 (scroll down to see map)

Take the A30 or A382 to Drewsteignton, then follow the signs to Fingle Bridge – unless you have a 4x4 the road goes nowhere else. You will eventually see cars parked on the left hand side of the road, then the pub on the left and the narrow bridge ahead. If people feel too nervous to drive over the bridge into the car park you can park on the left and we'll meet here before crossing the bridge.

If you have sat-nav, the postcode EX6 6PW will take you right to the pub. One little warning – the last few miles are on quite steep/narrow Devon lanes.

The narrow bridge leading to the car park

River Teign in spate