WW 26th March 2014

Appropriately a new novel walk. Out from the Green Cafe possibly for the very first time. Onto the Down to follow the old leat and tracks. Out to find the cycle track then to Clearbrook where Sustrans are very busy extending and improving the way. Then windly back to the cars before retiring to the DTs which was most welcoming. So lots of new things to see and do.

WWW 26th March 2014

Before you can go up you have to go down - obvious isn't it. So down we went from Meldon, down and down, so that we could fully appreciate the up and up and a bit more up. Up to Black Down before turning to head across and up. Then up and up and a bit more up and we were at Yes Tor. For a nice sit down for a cuppa. Across to High Willhays which certainly looks down but is apparently up. Then down and down to Fordsland Ledge to look down into the Okement. So to Black Tor and back down. A nice walk on a warm sunny day. And just as we left the car park it started to rain.
What more do you want?

WW 19th March 2014

A fine walk, car park to Ryders Trig point to Skur Gurt then Hooten Wheals by the stream then across the hill and down to the car park.

WW 12th March 2014

Signs of lots of activity, tin mining and D-Day. All the way people had been so busy. Out from Hexworthy on a warm March evening - warm with a gentle east wind. To Deep Swincombe with the moon gleaming. And then tussocky up to Ter Hill and on to Skir Gut for a cuppa. Still no sign of my whistle - how odd. They did move a tremendous amount of stuff. Then on to Hooten Wheals where this beautiful wall remains. It was built with such care, beautifully pointed and then pockmarked as people prepared for war. Down past Horse Ford Cross and through the naughty track . The Forest Inn is closed, not a light. So back to the PoW which was as welcoming as ever - a pool table with red baize.

WWW 12th March 2014

What a difference a day (or fourteen or so) makes.

The drift lane out of Postbridge was passable without waders. 

The sky was blue and clear apart from vapour trails.

The waterfall sparkled as we had elevenses, quite correctly, at 11.00am.

In the sunshine, at the Beehive Hut, I'm sure I could hear buzzing.

Now that's what I call proper Dartmoor weather. Long may it last!

WW 5th March 2014

There is always something, always something new or perhaps something we knew but have forgotten. But no, pretty sure this was something new. Amara Aenea, there they were, lots and lots, in the dark, patrolling a smashed oak tree. What were they doing, eating algae apparently, you could not make it up. Others seemed to be busy doing other things on a mild early spring evening, and that is their business. Earlier we had found the mud out of Long Ash up to prickly Beara, and even the muddy adit to explore. Big Pool for a cuppa is always nice, no fish to see at Grenofen Bridge. (What do you call a fish with no eyes?) Before climbing the old track to the open down and there they were, busy, busy, busy. It appears they are also known as the Common Sun Beetle but that is not fair - they are Amara Aenea.