There just is always something new.
A beautiful evening with a cooling westerly provided the perfect start from Bel Tor Corner.
Up to Sharp Tor to catch the end of the day and then round past the amazing hut circles and huge ancient farmstead.
Along the old trackway to the coffin stone to try to decipher the runes.
Gently down past the settlements to the Warrener's House and pillow mounds.
Into the totally Tolkienesque Warren House Pit for a cuppa surrounded by the jumble of rocks and ancient trees.
Vag Hill Tor appeared then jumbly bumbly trippety trappety down to the Dart.
The rocky path slowed the team as they steadily made their way across Row Brook to Luckey Tor.
Onwards to Simon's Lake and the track back up the steep gorge to seek out Mel Tor.
Back along Dr. Blackall's to the cars and rather late to the very welcoming Tavistock Inn.
The Blackthorn is in full blossom making a fine sight on a great day for a walk: clouds, sunshine and a cool breeze, perfect. Out from Bellever after paying our £2 and along the forest tracks. The scent of pine from the loggers well in evidence and sporadic cuckooing. Past Loughter Hole Farm and House and down to the East Dart. Safely across the Win Ford stepping stones and on to Babeny. Through the blackthorn and over the Walla Brook clapper bridge for a cuppa by the stepping stones. On to Brimpts past Dolly's Cot to explore the thingy. A local expert informed us it was an elevator for wood chip. Round and back above the Dart and into the forest where the chainsaws rang and the giant machines strolled. And back before heading on to the PoW.
A strong party left from the outer reaches of Fernworthy. To Frenchbeer Rock and on to Middle Tor. Kestor, of course, beckoned, before wendling back past the Longstone
Cuckoos and Merlins are reported from this wonderful walk from Belstone. Out along the ridge and along to tiered Oke Tor. Down the track to Knack Mine and onwards and upwards for a most pleasant picnic on Steeperton. Back around Taw Marsh.
And what a superb course. How much time must it have taken to plan such a challenge. But, all were well up for it and all were well up to it. No faults, no refusals. A veil will be drawn over the combined tactics.
Mid-summer is such a great time to walk our wonderful moor. Out from Cherrybrook Bridge with the sun high in the sky. To the Lich Way and the bridge over the stream. Swiftly onwards and upwards to chase the sun to Higher White to pause for a cuppa. The moor stretching before us and behind. To Lower White and on to Samuel Tor which now may have to revert to Braddon Tor. And the descent, the wait, the timing. No moon, crystal clear and the most perfect sighting possible - a full five minutes. Soaring right overhead, hard to believe that two of the six are there for a full year. Our preference was for the Two Bridges. But first on to Arch Tor which just nestles so perfectly into the moor. The PC puzzle remains. Back to the cars to our own Inn with a warm welcome and comfortable sofas to put the world to rights.
And, where is truly the most fantastic logan stone on the moor?
And, just how can the eyes of a cat rescue a frog in peril?
What a wonderful new asset to the landscape. Looks absolutely beautiful, you can imagine the trains puffing across. So, so many people will enjoy it over the years to come.
So, out from Burrator quarry car park where the low-loader was ready to clear away the works below the dam. Out over Yennadon on a glorious spring day - some fools even wore shorts. And on to see our new bridge, we still have to wait awhile before walking and cycling over it; but we can wait. Then up to Peek Hill for the views and a cuppa. Down to Lowery Tor and the quarry path past the banker's setts to the leat. And back along. Such wonderful weather.
Spring certainly had as we set out on this wonderful new walk. Out from Quick Bridge through the oak woods. Round all the Cholwich works looking out to Donkey Tor (?) and to the open moor. Boundary works abound as we found the stone row and steered north to Penn Beacon for a cuppa. Down to find the fantastic settlements and on past an amazing new sculpture. And then, (the dogs saw them first) a group of young Fallow Deer bucks, what a sight out on the open moor. Through Rook Tor past the huge rhododendrons to West Rook Gate. Down the road to Heathfield Down and windlingly back, where great efforts seem to be in progress to eliminate the rhododendrons, to the cars. A most interesting walk indeed!
And, yes it was definitely light at the start. Such a rich area of the moor to explore. Out from Top Tor car park and down to Shovel Stone, surely a tor in all but name. On to Hollow Tor and Tunhill Rocks. Whittaburrow is very impressive, before following the wall round to beauteous Blackslade Ford. Down to Ruddycleave Bridge and then steadily south to Buckland Beacon and the Ten Commandments Stones. Lots of shiny new barbed wire so a search for a stile to explore Wells Tor and the cairn beyond. The boundary stones form a guide north past Cold East Cross and on to Newham, once an inn. Foale's Arishes never fails to disappoint even in the gloop. To marvellous Pil Tor and back along the ridge to Top Tor. No time for the pub after so much to find and see.
And, it appears that an equally populous party did indeed set out from Belstone. To Cosdon and across Taw Marsh Ford. Getting back to The Tors in time for a pint.
Good job someone did it properly!
You really do have to be there ...
