This is a Member-Led Event, with a maximum of 8 participants, led by Suzy Braye LRPS.

The Exe Estuary is a scenic waterway that flows south from Exeter to the sea at Exmouth. It is an important site for wildlife as well as an attractive location for boating and water-based activities: Exe Explorer. The estuary is bordered by small towns and villages, of which Topsham is one that has historic significance as the landing place for William of Orange when he arrived to take the throne of England in 1688. The town has narrow, winding streets, quaint alleyways and an interesting blend of Dutch and Devon architecture, as well as open waterfront views and bobbing boats aplenty. It is also the departure point for two ferries taking foot passengers across the estuary to the banks of the Exeter Canal where it rejoins the River Exe.

During this event we will spend time in Topsham making the most of the photographic opportunities in the town and along the waterfront, before taking the ferry across the river to visit the canal and its lock at the grade II listed Turf Inn. Anyone not wanting to take the boat* has the option of spending longer in Topsham and following footpaths along the estuary to an RSPB nature reserve.

Meet: in front of The Passage House Inn, Ferry Road, Topsham, overlooking the estuary, for a prompt start at 10am. 

The inn is an easy 7-minute walk from the station.
What3Words: https://w3w.co/sector.rather.mental

Parking: parking in Topsham can be tricky, particularly as we’re meeting at a weekend. Car park payment is often by credit card and parking apps.

However, it does have a station so travelling by train is a recommended option. The station is very close to the town centre.

Ferry: return fare is £9 return. If you do not wish to to the ferry, please advise Suzt Braye when you receive her pre-shoot email.  Details at https://topshamturfferry.com/t...

Toilets: the cafés/pubs etc will all have toilets, and there are public toilets at Topsham Quay: https://w3w.co/hogs.ladder.danger

Terrain: the roads in Topsham are paved so provide easy walking, as do any footpaths. All the terrain is flat. Some paths along the river are unguarded/ unfenced, so attention is needed when walking close to the water. Jetties can be slippery with moss/seaweed so care is needed. Along the canal the path involves walking on grass in places. Access to the ferry involves a drop, so requires the ability to take a long step down into the boat (and up again to exit). There are handrails to support. On the boat the skipper will give safety instructions, which must be obeyed.

What to wear: outdoor clothing suitable for the time of year and weather forecast on the day. Comfortable shoes for walking.

Food & drink: Topsham has multiple refreshment options – pubs, cafés, restaurants, takeaways. The Turf Inn on the other side of the estuary, where the ferry docks, also serves food.

Note: participants are advised to be vigilant if holding food that could attact gulls.

What to bring: camera & lenses – a long lens will be particularly useful; tripod and filters if long-exposures are envisaged.

Environment: in addition to the £2 carbon-offset in the price, the RPS Landscape group is promoting the “You+2” initiative for us all to do something about the plastic pollution we see. Details on our Website.

Bad weather plan: there is no bad weather Plan B. The event could still take place if the weather is showery as there are plenty of places to shelter temporarily. But if rain was likely to be prolonged we would postpone. In that case the organiser would contact participants the day before.

Advice: This is a member-lead event, simply to introduce you to a location, with no professional guidance. If you have a technical query, the leader or fellow participants might be able to help.

Terms for RPS Landscape Group Events:

Carbon offsets

Tickets for events that involve travelling include a £2 carbon offset charge that will be paid to a carefully researched and selected offsetting partner.

Cancellation by You:

If you wish to cancel your booking PLEASE tell us with as much notice as possible: a) directly to the event leader / organiser once they have issued the joining email (typically 10-14 days pre-event); or b) if before that email, use the Contact Organiser button. If early enough, we may be able to open up sales on a sold-out event or help the leader decide if numbers are low; if nothing else, it can avoid delaying the start of the event while they wait for you.

If you have paid for an event, please note that this fee/ticket price is non-refundable unless we are able to sell your place to somebody else. You are welcome to sell your place yourself but, again, PLEASE notify us in advance of any change.

Cancellation by us:

Event leaders are asked to make plans for alternative activities or locations in the case of poor weather and, in most cases, events will proceed despite poor weather unless, in the view of the event leader, the weather will lead to unacceptable safety risks or very little chance of successful photography. It is inevitable, however, that occasionally an event will be cancelled for this or another reason beyond the RPS’s control.

Occasionally an event may also be cancelled owing to lack of bookings. So if you wish to attend an event, don’t leave it till the last minute to book as it may be too late.

If an event is cancelled we will give you as much notice as we are able and any payment by you to the RPS in respect of the event offered as a full refund. In the case of events cancelled because of lack of interest we will aim to give at least three weeks’ notice wherever possible.

Please note we are NOT able to refund any associated or consequential costs including but not limited to travel, accommodation, insurance premium or other costs incurred by you in order to attend the event.

Responsibility:

You are responsible for your own health and safety and must appraise your own strength, fitness and mobility; and be prepared for the terrain, changing weather conditions etc. The event leader is NOT responsible for your safety, welfare or attendant medical conditions. Strictly the event leader is there to introduce you to a location.

You are responsible for your equipment etc at all times; use suitable bags for carrying it.  Keep camera bags close/secured in public. Please also take care if using a tripod in public areas to avoid any trips.

Car-sharing lifts with fellow participants, or the event leader, is at your own risk. Those offering car-sharing lifts may only do so provided that they have suitable insurance cover. 

Liability for any accident, injury, medical condition, loss or damage to property, inappropriate behaviour, dress, equipment and third party liability is accepted by you when signing up for the event. You agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Royal Photographic Society from all claims of whatsoever nature.

Insurance:

You are advised to consider having insurance to cover: event cancellation by you or by us, accident, medical, personal equipment and public liability.

In particular you should also consider, in the case of high cost events, the likelihood and consequences of you having to cancel or not attend at the last minute because of accident, medical or other unforeseeable circumstances.

Using your data:

Your personal details (name, telephone number and email address) will be provided to the leader of the event or workshop you have booked in order to enable them to:

• send you joining instructions for the event
• contact you at short notice in case of any emergency or last-minute change to the event.

If you do not want your details to be shared with the event leader please cancel your booking immediately. You will not be eligible for a refund as this information was provided on the web page where you made your booking.

Thank you

RPS Landscape Group Committee

© RPS Landscape Group / Images are used with the owner’s permission