WW 30th October 2013

It was very wet, very windy, very dark and very 'oribble but we talked ourselves out of going straight to the pub and instead three wimps dashed up the railway track for half an hour, turned round and dashed back. Meanwhile one tough guy who arrived a bit late went for his own proper walk up to North Hessary Tor before joining his sheepish pals in the pub.

WW 23rd October 2013

Out and about. Windely and windely. From the quarry car park. Along the track past the spout to the sieve. Along the leat rather muddily. And along. Pausing to watch the ISS pass overhead. And, to the fishy walk. Up the waterfall to the junction. Down to Lether Tor farm. The potato cave and Norsworthy Bridge for a cuppa. Up the lane and down the fungus trail. Through the arboretum soon to be closed for three months. Around under Sheepstor and over the earth dam. Over the main dam where the hydro was humming. To the cars. Back to The Rock where we kept the staff from going to bed.

WW 16th October 2013

Moonwalking, now that's why we do it. So, out from Dunnabridge as the moon scudded underneath the clouds. And, up the track to the workings, so much work for five years gain. Then fuzzyly down to Brimpts where the new barn towered above us. A cuppa where the seat by the ruin used to be. And, on to the stepping stones and the lovely clapper bridge to Babeny. Down the so eroded track to Laughter Hole steps. It appears some renovation work is begin attempted on the track. Up and over back to the cars with the moonlight so gently being turned off and on. Back to the PoW which is all decked out for a truly horrible evening.

WWW 16th October 2013

The rain clouds lifted for a sunny morning just perfect for a history lesson and a walk through the ages when we saw and learned about prehistoric reaves, three mediaeval farmsteads, a bronze age cist grave, a corn ditch wall, a stone circle, and a vermin trap. But who was the villain who stole Tom's Crunchie bar? He hurried home quickly with his tail between his legs.

Challenge65 - 9th to 13th October 2013

Wednesday 9th Up to Wales for Snowdon on 10th. Arose to clear day which enabled a quick ascent via the PYG Track to that rarest of occasions, a view from the top! A quick descent of the Miners Track and it was off to the Lakes. Friday morning was clear with sunny intervals down in the Langdale Valley but as so often is the case here the tops were covered in low cloud and from Angle Tarn onwards the walk was through mist and cloud and unlike Snowdon there were very few walkers around until I was on my way back as the clouds had started to lift. A Quick pint from the ODG and it was of to Fort William for day 3. Saturday dawned with clear skies and a covering of frost on the car. Our host at the B&B said October was often the best time to climb the Ben for good weather and a less crowded climb. There were plenty of people out though and plenty of encouragement for one another. The top had a light covering of snow and ice but with clear blue skies the views were sensational. Another descent, another pint (Pubs at the end of such climbs are such a good idea) and off to Glasgow to fly to Belfast for the final climb. Sunday morning saw us on the bus to Newcastle for the ascent of Slieve Donard. Not the highest, in fact the lowest but our fellow walkers were definitely the friendliest ( a visit to Northern Ireland should be on every walkers bucket list) again the lower part of the walk was in dry clear conditions but the top was again mist covered and the ascent up the Mourne Wall so steep I was pleased that Kath could not see what was in store as this was the one climb she was doing with me. We lunched on the top and descended to the stile on the ridge as the cloud lifted to give fine views over Newcastle and the rest of the Mournes. That's it until next may when I set off on the Pennine Way.

WW 9th October 2013

Autumn over, wintry weather, temperatures plummeting, north wind - well Pah to that. Nice gentle breeze and great visibility as we set off from Four Winds. Up the track to Little then Great Mis Tor. Where some hooligan has placed a new, shiny bolt. I suppose the huge flagpole attached to the core of the tor is not enough for them. Back down the track to Rundlestone, lots of nice fungi here and all around at this time of year. Up to the tor for a cuppa before wending to Hollow and back. On to the Whitty which was quiet until someone started spouting.

WW 2nd October 2013

With a weather forecast of hail for the high moor your leader knew there would only be 1 taker and who it would be. He was not wrong! We started off in the dry, up the railway track but were soon in full waterproofs. On round the back of Dunna Goat, compass in hand to Great LInks, where the cloud lifted just enough to see our destination in the distance. Then it was off down to Arms Tor and across the Lyd ,which despite the heavy rain was not deep enough to overwhelm our boots, and finally into the Fox on a quiet evening.

WWW 2nd October 2013

And, how fortunate we were, to have in our presence, one so wise. As it appeared that, apparently, as far as the wise one could tell, beyond all reasonable doubt, it appeared to that wise one, that it was wet. And so in that alleged wetness, set forth from the Scout Hut, the intention was clear, but the Plym in spate was as clear, so the river was followed up, past the waterfalls, tin workings and isolated trees with nests. To Plym Steps for a cuppa and on to Lower then Higher before rambling back via Whittenknowles threshing floor to the cars and hoards of commandos who had been ... eating bananas.