A goodly gathering on the first dark evening of the year. All the mist of previous days had disappeared. Even the crescent moon popped out. From Lane End and up to the very full leat. Along and out round White Hill to Doe Tor. Traditionally to Foxholes for a cuppa and up to Sharp. Along the scarp to Hare then down to Ger and the cars. On to a quiet Mary Tavy.
A Great walk
On a mild evening
Just a hint
Of gentle mizzle
Round the tors
First it was Over
Little Mis
And, Great Mis
To the Walkham
For a cuppa
Over the leat
To the col
To Great Staple
Down
To Middle Staple
Down
To Little Staple
And round
Back to the cars
To head on
To a very quiet
Whitty
The Bere Peninsula, a very special, calm place. From Bere Ferrers in a timely fashion by Liphill Quay. Up and over the hill and past all the farms. Lots of development taking place. From the Tamar over the top towards the Tavy. Back down through Hole Woods and to the Plough.
The Spindle Trees were in fruit. In ancient times this wood was used to make jewellery. To see possibly the earliest example of turned wood in Europe go here.
Out from the car park and up. Past Sharpitor and Lether and a brief explore of the woods. Along the leat then to the beautiful bridge and out to the Older Bridge track. Cutting up to Crazy Well to pause for a cuppa. Round and on to Black Tor where, as promised, that rain gently appeared. So, back to the cars and the very quiet Burrator for a few pints and a yarn.
Thunder and lightning, rain lashing at the windows, 7 p.m. Wednesday; O-U-T. Out to Baggator as the light disappeared and the rain stopped. In fact not a drop for the whole walk.
Along the track to the open moor under a huge moon to be welcomed by a huge red flag. The lightning still over the moor and Bodmin Moor - very nice. Plan B; back and down the ancient trackways pausing to watch the Space Station pass overhead. Down to the Tavy but the stepping stones were well awash. So on to Standon Steps to cross and out to the road. Back to Hill Bridge where the bats were busy having their tea before cutting back up to Baggator and, of course, an ascent.
And it definitely is post Emmet's Post. There it was, and the tumulus, completely and utterly gone. Totally obliterated. Still at least we were there to see where it isn't any more. Not a trace and the bridle path to go soon as well. Out we strode on a fine autumn's morning to Luxton Tor and Saddleborough. Across to Hawks Tor and Huxton Stone. Round the bracken to Collard Tor and then to explore the old workings. We did not dig but we did enter and ascend the cones. A less than optimal route took us down to Wotter. On to RAF Hawks Tor for a cuppa as the rain headed in across the Sound. We found Beatland Corner cross socket and lots of enclosures and hut circles as we wend our way back to the cars. A jolly fine walk across a most interesting tiny triangle of the moor.
Apparently a significant group left Holming Beam crossed the West Dart and headed for Beardown Tors. Then on up the valley to Beardown Man before turning the corner and returning via Conies Down.
You really do have to be there ...
