WW 30th January 2013

 

Mud, slippery mud nearly everywhere! Starting from Lowery Cross we went down through the forest to the Devonport Leat and followed this to where it comes out of the forest.  Then up between Sharpitor and Leather Tor and across to Leather Tor where we took our break.  Almost to the top of Peek Hill, then down through Peekhill Planatation and back to the cars just as the moon was coming up.  On to the Royal Oak at Meavy.

 

WWW 30th January 2013

All the snow has long gone. Out on a blustery morning with sunny spots. Up to Wheal Caroline and on to the Water Hill cairn. Out to the D stone before finding warmth in Fernworthy. Round and about exploring the hut circles and old farmstead before taking the secret path up to the stone row. And there he was, just for us, carefully strimming the grass to make the stones show up straight and true. A cuppa and a chat before meeting Harry and his keeper and back. To the Warren House for a snack and a chat.

WW 23rd January 2013

Well, it is true, you really do have to be there, To walk in the winter wonderland, wonderful snow and ice, crunching underfoot, gentle snow falling, iced up walls and rushes, really quiet. From the foothills, where all was green and thawing, it was hard to believe that Princetown still enjoyed deep snow. Wrapped up warm, out on the icy railway track to admire the icicles at Foggintor. Then a steady snowy step up to North Hessary to have tea in the crunchy snow before attaining the summit. Down the track, which is usually so muddy, and back to the cars. To the PoW as welcoming as ever for a cooling drink.

Truly a magical evening, all too soon we will be back to the delights of a soggy moor probably for many months. So all will be pleased to have such fond memories of the wonders of the moor.

WW 16th January 2013

What is going on?
What can it mean?
Who is doing it?
What are we supposed to do about it?
Just who is
Putting up all these red flags
They seem to be everywhere now
Up to Roos and a big red flag
On to White
And there were two big red flags
One even stuck in the stump of the old flagpole
Back through the fields
To the cars
And the Whitty
Where we were made privy to
The points and discounts
It seems everyone gets a discount
Even them - yes, they were there
But no discount for us
Full price for us
Those who had been out
On a cold winter's night


 

WWW 16th January 2013

There is no doubt and I am sure we all agree that it is as it should be and as it is that the Wednesday Walkers is a fully inclusive group of people who enjoy the moors in all weathers and enjoy each others company. Quite right too we all say and hurrah to that. But, surely, there must be a limit, to what topics of conversation are deemed seemly for discussion in a pub at lunchtime. A jolly nice fresh walk out from Two Bridges to Crockern, Littaford, Longaford and a tea stop by the leat take off. Then up to examine what appeared to be a big red flag on Beardown. Yes, it was a big red flag and the sound of gunfire served to confirm this view. Back to the PoF which was excellent. So the conversation flowed and we discovered that The Dartmoor Inn at Merrivale now welcomes muddy plodgers. However, it moved on to matters over which a discrete veil will be drawn.

WW 9th January 2013

Nobody, nobody at all, absolutely no one, empty, not a single person. totally quiet, odd, after all, last time, it had been rammed, but no, it was empty, we were the only ones, where was everybody, what was going on. After all, we had gathered at Oakley, set off newt hunting, with great success, lots and lots of them, more of them than us, must be that time of year, so round we went, up the muddy track, past that place where we must not go, and on to Small Staple, on quite a clear night. Down to the leat and over the aqueduct to the bullstone and leaning post, and up to Pew back to the cars and to the Whitty, But, what a surprise, it was quiet, quiet and empty, no one at all, nobody. just us, and we were treated, yes treated to a birthday drink, very nice, and, of course, we sat at our table.

WW 2nd January 2013

Well that was dark, really dark, and misty, so dark you could hardly, only just see it. Out, out, out along the rifle range spotting the markers to Hart. And down to the hairy stone still waiting. Perhaps 2013 will be the year. Then up, up, up and roundily about to Cramber for a cuppa. Along the soggy track to the bridge near Crazy Well then follow the leat. Over the bumpy rocks and down the waterfall to the aqueduct. Up to Black Tor before wending our way back. So many cars on the road, just why do people go out in such weather? To the PoW with the usual jolly crowd of revellers and Kindle Man. Still misty and murky for the drive home.

WWW 2nd January 2013

Yet another New Year and the very first day we have not had wall to wall sunshine this year. Out we went into the warm enveloping mists from Brisworthy Burrows to the leat. Following it round where a sheep had failed its swimming proficiency and on to Hen Tor. Where we had a warming drink. Then over the soft tussocks to the now long abandoned village at Pen Shiel. Across Spanish Lake to Trowlesworthy where we found the abandoned plinth. Then down to the cars to the Oak. Which was quite busy with lots of people on holiday whatever that may be.