{"id":5342,"date":"2023-07-19T11:08:00","date_gmt":"2023-07-19T10:08:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/?p=5342"},"modified":"2024-07-12T23:10:00","modified_gmt":"2024-07-12T22:10:00","slug":"86-taw-valley","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/86-taw-valley\/","title":{"rendered":"86 Taw Valley"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In recent years, the scout had come upon the Taw Valley at Sticklepath, Taw Bridge (on the Torrington turnpike) and Newland. It occurred to him that a length of the valley is generally hidden, and is crossed but not followed. So he determined to trace, as best he could on two wheels, the river from where it cascades off the moor to where it is joined by the Lapford Yeo; and, for good measure, to where it spills into the sea.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

He wanted to sample the breakfast at Okehampton’s Bulleid Buffet<\/em> and so, with an empty tummy, he caught the 0738 from St. David\u2019s. He was disappointed to find that the buffet, although it had opened at eight, did not start cooking until nine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He ambled around the station and took the opportunity to view some of the detail without any distraction. Out of curiosity, he entered the station buffet\u2019s competitor, or companion, by the former goods shed, to see if breakfasts were served there. A very friendly lady informed him that they were and that she had cooked six already for passengers. The scout was tempted to sit at a table but he thought he should keep to the plan; importantly, he wanted to see if the sausage served at the Bulleid<\/em> was as inedible as the one a friend had said he had taken home for the dog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At ten to nine, the scout\u2019s breakfast order was accepted and it was put in front of him just as the next train arrived, so he had gained a small advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He had not ordered the bigger plate and the smaller one came with one sausage, one rasher of bacon and a smattering of accompaniments. There was no butter for the round of toast. With two cups of coffee, the bill was \u00a316; the scout is not allowed to claim expenses on these trips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The young waitress was wearing short shorts, which the scout did not think were appropriate for the work. The radio was playing and a noisy blower was joined by idling diesels in the platform. No one else was eating, so there was no chatter. These minor complaints have not put him off going there again, but he will be trying the Granite Way Caf\u00e9 on another occasion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Between trains the station was very nearly deserted.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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A song and a dance were made about re-laying the line to Okehampton, but 100 miles of railway beyond here lie in ruins.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n