"I'm glad it was 'im and not us!"
Well, 75% of those in attendance certainly agreed with that!
There he was and then there he wasn't.
He certainly went in a long, long way.
Proper wet, wet, wet.
After the relatively trouble free trek out to Shilstone.
On a lovely July evening.
Following the tracks out towards Cosdon.
Then finding a not too wet way to Raybarrow where the tinners worked and ducks rose.
Chasing the sun and grouse up to the crest as the full moon appeared behind.
To the White Moor stone and gently down by the boundary stones under Kennon.
The peat track was most impressive as we windled our way round Kennon.
A remarkably dry journey for most all.
To Shilstone and somehow to the Northmore Arms.
Which was as totally brilliant as ever.
Then the pixies took over as we made our way through Chagford and found Adley Lane.
Is it a road? Is it a track? Is it really there?
To the fairy houses, where else.
Out from Bennett's on a perfect autumnal morning. Down, down to explore Golden Dagger before heading round to Challacombe. Over the troll bridge and up onto Hameldown sustained by man, many, too many whortleberries. For a cuppa by Single Burrow. Along the ridge as the sun came and went into a most pleasant breeze. Off Hameldown to Grimspound to Hookney and back along the Two Moors Way.
Most pleasant.
A coolish breeze as five strode off west from Bellever carpark along a little used path. Through the bogbeans ("keep going !") and up on to firmer slopes as a hare loped away ahead of us. Down through the Powdermills enclosure and its roofless for a reason buildings, one tar drizzled from a past fire. A barn owl turned its pale dish face our way as it hunted down through the valley. Across a dry Cherrybrook mire and up the long slope to the shelter of Higher White Tor. Past the kist and following the course of the wall to cross froggy meadows of bog asphodel. The logan stone at Arch Tor awaited and its rocking rhythm soon beat over the marshes ! Darkness was falling and footsteps hurried whilst nightjars sang their whirring song and another owl swooped low. A much enjoyed walk and many sights to discuss from the deep leather settees at Two Bridges.
Dark skies hovered mysteriously as we set off onwards and up to Top Tor . Green views all around touched with soft gold where the clouds had parted. Even glints of light beyond to the Teign and Shaldon. Ripon Tor next and a brisk pace (nothing to do with a black bull !) rewarded by an extra loop to Buckland Beacon. Clouds turned from sulphurous yellow to bronzed pinks. Biblical skies by the Ten Commandments stones . Down through the grassy pine woods and along the cobbled road past Williams Well . Sheep watching us from their high night assembly on Piltor as we left for more gold at the Rugglestone.
Nine set out on 7/7 from Lopwell Dam on a cool, close, humid morn. There was a respectful minute's silence after coffee at the river-side for the events of 10 years ago. But a more cheerful finish thanks to our leader who arranged a delightful insider-visit to the lost gardens of Maristow House where a steadfast and determined lady tenant is, with the help of volunteers, restoring the old walled kitchen gardens and hot-houses of a glorious bygone age when 'his nobs' the third Baronet still had a large enough fortune to grow his own peaches, pineapples and potatoes of every colour. A modern-day task for Sisyphus ..... never to be completed? Lunch enjoyed by all at the Drake Manor Inn at Buckland Monochorum.
A most interesting evening - was it sunny, was it dry, was it cloudy, did it rain, did it get dark ... Who knows? So out from High Down, always a good place to start. And to find Frank's Sun Stone - just what can it be? And on to the Lyd and across the stepping stones. Unusually dry progress was made to Lydford Tor and onwards to Little Links. Great Links beckoned and a clear demonstration of erosion at work. To the Dunna Goats and round the track past the jolly campers. At Dick's Well a most unusual sight - a calf crèche, most intrigued by our tea break. Down the familiar track past Arms to the cars as the sun set and the moon rose. A timely arrival at the Dartmoor Inn was to no avail so onwards to the ever reliable Mary Tavy. A most interesting walk in most interesting weather.
You really do have to be there ...
