Was it a plea? Was it an order? Did we have to go? Was there any choice? Well we decided we better had go, just in case. So we went. And out we went through the Arboretum and on past the batty cave. And out to the workings. Round under Combeshead to the stone row. Then plunging down past hairy stone number two - is an ascent possible? And back to the Royal Oak. They weren't there although there were lots and lots of cars. On a misty evening.
Well, it was jolly misty and surprisingly cool. But we were well prepared. So out we went to follow the ancient Tavistock Ashburton packhorse track. Unerringly to all the stones with Yellowmeade looming in the mist. Round over Hollow and Rundlestone to North Hessary then down to the PoW. And, one of them was there, curled up on his chair. And, he really does look like a tiger. What a cat!
I do recall, some time ago, a very experienced explorer, being asked, what was the one essential piece of kit to take on every trip. The reply "Experience". And so it was that we set out from Sourton, on a wild evening, with a gale blowing, out under the tor and round to the points into the howling, on round to the memorial, up to Branscombe's and then for a cuppa sheltering in the lee of the cairn. And, all the time we were promised there was a place where the wind did not blow - trust me! And so, over to Sourton before dropping down to the cars where the wind did roar. To the Bearslake, which was very busy. And it is true, in the lounge bar of the Bearslake, sat on the sofas there was hardly any wind at all. Something to do with the thatched roof apparently.
I will not be joining you on these fine walks.
Send on words and a picture if possible.
Have a nice time, Jon
You really do have to be there ...
