Not a drop, not a single drop, who says it hasn't stopped raining - well it has!
Out from Oakley Cottage and windily down the narrow roads, speeding up as we left the open moor. Out and round through wonderful Sampford Spiney. For a change through the fields 'overlooking' the Walkham. To pop out by Eastontown to take the ancient track. A cuppa on the beautiful block under Heckwood: by the way it was the 10th October - put it in your diaries. Over the brook by Vixen Tor and up the secure wall to the boundary stone by Saddle Rock. Lower Staple was just visible on the horizon a so we took the main track to the leat. Following on past the aqueduct and to the wheelwright's stone. The bullseye was well swamped at Windy Post as over Pu we went and back to the cars. Our table was free at the Whitty.
I will not be joining you this fine morning.
Send on words and a picture if you can.
Have a nice one, Jon
I will not be joining you all this evening.
Send on words and a picture if you can.
All the best, Jon
A mild, breezy and somewhat damp day as Barney rushed by. Out from Prewly and round Greep's Quarry to make our way through the cwm to Shelstone. Finding our way up to Branscombe's proved interesting. Too soon for a cuppa so down past the broken apple crusher to Sourton. Round and down to pick up the railway to make our way back to the cars.
The Highwayman was well up to expectations.
And, by the time we had left the pub, all the stars had popped out.
A very nice, soft evening for a walk. Out and along, through the clitter to a sett maker's bank. Following the old leat, round Shillapark to the amazing blowing house by the Walkham. Lots to see, the wheel pit and tail race, path of the leat, mortars and the most beautiful mould stone. Up and over past those impressive cairns and down to the wall. Round to find shelter by a frog and a tree for a cuppa. Through Wedlake and up to Roos. Great and Middle beckoned before heading down to the busy road and the cars.
The Dartmoor Inn gave us another fine welcome with a roaring fire and jolly good beer.
Can that really be it?
It really just reads 'Ashley'?
Well who knows ...
Out from the Scout Hut on a perfect Dartmoor day.
With the detail
Gently emerging
Up Gutter and along to see the
Apple crusher and part-made cross
Along to Ditsworthy
And out
Across the stream
And along to the wonderful stone rows
Up to Higher
And on to Eylesbarrow mine for a cuppa
To the new cobra's head
And down, down past the recently refurbished PCWW stones
To the cars
On to the Royal Oak
Which was jolly busy
Warm and comfortable
Very nice indeed.
Not too bad an evening at all, good visibility and some warm gentle rain. The big fox was patrolling Nun's Cross as we headed out from the quarry. Whealham Bottom Cross was located then the ancient pack horse track past Wheal Anne to the Fox Tor workings. The tor providing good shelter for a cuppa. Down to Childe's which emerged from the grey. Round and on to Goldsmith's before crossing the mire, of course. Back to the cars past the super fast frog and on to the Plume which was pleasantly quiet and welcoming.
These evenings are always fine once you get out there.
Not sure which was the greater surprise; seeing a little ringed plover or the Dartmoor Inn, Merrivale being open.
Out on a mild November day up to Middle Staple and onwards to Great. Roos Tor beckoned where the Duke of Bedford stones were admired. A polite request for a cuppa was declined as the team headed for the remote cairns on Langstone Moor. On the way a small white bird appeared looking somewhat tired. What could it be? Some thought a snow bunting but dared not speak. Later investigation suggests a Little Ringed Plover - what a treat. Onwards to the magnificent cairns and to the stone circle. A nice house was found in the huge settlement for a cuppa as the rain decided to settle in. Back and along, across the Walkham, without a ducking for most, and back. Where the Dartmoor Inn had a hot fire, a warm welcome and jolly good food. What a nice surprise.
You really do have to be there ...
