Unusual Dartmoor melody: the still of windless silence, the orange gleam of distant city lights and the white shafts of torchlight amid the murmur of friendly voices in the darkness of a moonless winter’s evening. And so to Ringmoor, Ditsworthy, Eastern, Drizzle Combe, Eylesbarrow and up to Gutter. Good stuff, this Dartmoor walking: it’ll probably catch on..... and so back to The Royal Oak,that peerless walkers’ pub of choice.
Now that's a lot better. Away from those clear, frosty, sunny days. Back to some decent weather. Weather where it is neither raining nor dry. Weather where it is neither windy nor calm. Weather where it is neither warm nor cool. Weather where is neither clear nor misty. Weather which is not really weather at all.
And a goodly gathering to head out to the quarry. Where there were lots and lots of goldfish, yes really there really were lots and lots of goldfish. Then up past the golf ball to inspect the feather or tare or whatever. Before heading up Pew to observe the hidden trig station. Past the pond to Heckwood and the wonderful hawthorn. Down and across to the forbidden tor and up to Merrivale Quarry. Where there was lots to see and a nice cuppa. Back along the leat and across Beckamoor Ford to the Blacksmith's Shop, Windypost and the Bullstone. To the cars and London Inn.
Blinded by the Light
For those of you unsure about venturing out on these dark, winter evenings help is at hand. Our dear friends have invested in super bright LED (Ludicrously Extremely Dazzling) headtorches. So, what used to rather dim walks on the moor now resemble looking straight at the sun. Don't worry about falling over things you can hardly see because now you can't see them at all.
Waterproofs on for a proper winter's evening. Straight up Cox Tor to get the full effect. Down and across the field to White where the red flag was well flapping. Rather a cool cuppa before finding the wall corner and to Roos. Over lovely Great Staple to Middle and back. Disappointingly it was just not cold enough to turn the rain to snow. And on to a quiet Whitty.
So out we set from the furthest scratchy reaches of Walkhampton. Round to find that rather buried stone row emerging from the stream. Up and across to Leeden and down to the railway bridge. Tumbly up and into the recesses of Swell Tor for a cuppa before heading up, up and round and down. And a steady chuff back. Heavy rain was promised but only a slight shower emerged. She got lost again and the onset of a sense of humour failure could be detected. To the Walkhampton which was singing.
A bright, warm sunny morning to set out from Bennett's Cross. A windling walk through lots of places of interest. Up the steady rise to Birch Tor before heading across to Chaw Gully. Through the workings down to East Birch Tor Mine and down. Rising up to Soussons by the playing card fields. The wide track in Soussons evidence of the timber being claimed. To Golden Dagger before heading back up onto Challacombe Down. And then back through Vitifer to the cars. And on to a busy Warren House Inn where lots of food was being served.
Such sublime weather we have. A clear strong wind and warm rain. So out from Two Bridges up the track to Crockern farm where the generator gently hums. Up and round and down. To traverse the Powdermills mire before heading up for a cuppa. Sheltered beneath Longaford. Some choose to go over the windy top to get the full effect. Then to Wistmans and back. To the PoW which was very quiet. Halloween seems to be over but New Year beckons.
You really do have to be there ...
