TWW 31st March 2015

And yes there is, always something new to be found. You just have to go out, and seek. So out from Norsworthy on rather a blustery morning. Along tracks you think you know but no. There under a stone it was and how magnificent. How long has it lain there? What is its purpose? Who knows? But there it lay so we took it out for a look and then put it back. To Cuckoo Rock and on to be informed about Combeshead Farm and up to the potato cave. From there the hill to Eyelsbarrow and there it was. Replaced last Wednesday apparently. And really magnificent. Set on a tall stone - quite a landmark. So down, down round the tor and back to the cars and on to the DTs.

WW 25th March 2015

Which twit wrote that winter was over? Well they should have been there, proper nippy as the sleet and rain came in on this classic walk. Out from Meldon. The attempt to find that track by Fishcombe Water was rather less than totally successful. So out we popped onto the main track with Blacka Tor just visible in the distance - a  nice sheltered stop for a cuppa. Before, heading up to High Willhays which did manage to appear ... eventually. And as we left, what was there but a brand new structure to grace the moor. It had to be on to Yes Tor then twiddly down round Longstone Hill to the cars - rather late. A rush to Frank's which just managed to be open for a quick one - only one!

WWW 25th March 2015

And somewhere else new

The Tory Brook waterfall

What a delight

Tucked away in beautiful oak woods

So out we trekked

Up and over to Broomage

Which dates back at least to 1248

Past the well

And down to the Headon China Clay Works

Where lots of rhododendrons are sprouting

Up and over the hill

To Gibhill Cottages for a cuppa

The swalers were busy to the south

Past the sad memorial

To watch a huge digger clearing briars

To Quick Bridge

Up the long track

Past Ridding Down Cross

And on to Tolchmoor Gate

Where some could remember the road being closed

And back to the cars in the sandy car park

A most interesting part of the Moor.

WW 18th March 2015

Well, that really was a treat. How wonderful, for all of us. Fancy finding a brand new tor. And a first ascent. Who would have thought it? Where we go so often, tucked away. And a lovely new valley to explore. On quite a cool evening after such a warm day. 
Out to explore Routrundle, ancient settlements and homestead. No sign of the Iridium flare. Up to see the crane bases in Ingra Tor quarry and onwards. Where the swalers had been busy very recently. To Leedon for a cosy cuppa. Down past that quarry to Fur Tor and then, after a bit  of work we found it. And, what a beautiful tor it is; Yes Tor. So we lingered and looked around and definitely will return. Along Yes Tor Brook and then boldly out. To places no one has been and to which no one will return. To Black Tor, the leat and the Indian's Head to the cars.

And no, we took no small pleasure in seeing them gritted.

WW 11th March 2015

a perfect Dartmoor evening
out from the Scout Hut
in the gloopy mizzle
to Whittenknowles Rocks
and down
across Drizzle Combe
to the stone rows
and menhirs
then up
to Higher Hartor
and then Lower
across the Plym
to find
Calveslake
and the
Abbots' Way
Plym Ford
and the long, long, rocky track
to the cars
and the Royal Oak
where the squeezebox
was being
exercised

WWW 11th March 2015

Widdershins, always works. So out from the quay on quite a cooling morning. Full tide for the start. And round to Hallowell Wood where the hedges had been most beautifully laid. And steadily up; I suppose there are days without mud. To be welcomed at Well Farm by some excitable dogs. Our dog apparently thinks it is a cat so there were no problems. Round the fields and over the railway with glimpses of the Tamar. Down past the Spindle trees at Higher Birch to Tuckham Bridge where the super new bridge is nearly ready. And back to the Plough. Where we were honoured to be joined by one of the last working people of Devon.

WW 4th March 2015

Is that it? Perhaps. Who knows? If it was then it was a jolly fine evening to end the winter on. Out from the quarry where the intrepid were setting off to take pictures of lit tents in the dark. A fullish moon guided our way up the Staples and on to Roos. Where it did, does and still does rock. Down, down to cross the Walkham then up, up to Great Mis for a cuppa. Across the enclosed land, over the bridge, round the quarry and back to the cars. A few wobbles; lost dog, closed pub but all resolved as the lost was found and the Trout and Tipple turned on the lights and welcomed us in.