WW 30th March 2016

Dropping down to Dartmeet left the bright, bright sun behind. Racing up Vag Hill brought the wonderful sunset into view. Amazingly it shifted from every shade of yellow and blue into a full set of greyscales - quite remarkable. Down and across the Row Brook to ascend Sharp for more wonderful sunset. Princetown shone like a jewel. Rather prickly over to Corndon for a nice cuppa as the stars came out. This time the wide, comfortable track was found by Cave Penny and gently up to Yar. A neat descent was made back to the cars and on to our favourite. Where we settled in the Chesterfields and admired the burr oak table. A jolly fine walk.

TWW 29th March 2016

From Manaton on a cool morning. Round the church and onto Manaton Rocks with views to Bowerman's and Figgie Daniel. Down, down to beautiful Foxworthy and up the track where the longhorns once roamed to Hunter's for a cuppa in the shelter of the wall. Along the ridge with views over the cleave to the eco-house nestling in the hillside. On to Sharpitor then winding down to Lustleigh for the ever welcoming if a little loud Cleave for a sumptuous lunch. Rain was promised and it sort of arrived in a half hearted way. Back up and down to the cleave. Over Clam Bridge and the gentle toil back up to Manaton where fragments of clay pipe (?) intrigued. All jolly nice.

WW 23rd March 2016

Yes, another beautiful clear, dry, starlit evening - with a full, full moon. Perfect conditions to spot Iridium 55 streaking across the sky. Someone was so excited at the prospect of yet another lovely walk that they completely overshot the start. So out from the quarry and in the moonlight up to Crockern. Where a star in the south was spotted heading steadily upwards. So we sped off, over the stile to Littaford to spot the flare. Onwards to Longaford for the traditional traverse. Down, down to the amazing new weir for a real treat; the opportunity to flood Plymouth. Only a little cool work was needed to release the mighty Dart. It certainly made for a great strong shower this morning. A nice cuppa and up to Beardown. The track round the farm was as usual dry as dry. Will it ever rain again? And on to the PoW where crowds of Land Rovers were parked.

TWW 22nd March 2016

Now that really is something new - a cure for bubonic plague no less.
On a sunny day out from Wembury where 100 children were to gather for an environmental day. Heading west by the seaside with the sun shining and barely a ripple. To Heybrook Bay  to find a nice little beach for a cuppa and  collect shells. Turning north where this wonderful plant was found in abundance. Butterbur, the flower of one of those giant plants found in streams. Butterbur has giant 1m heart shaped leaves once used to wrap butter. It was believed to have medicinal properties 400 years ago and recently it has been proved true. At Bovisand beach huts turning inland to explore the farms and beautiful old houses. The dry weather had encouraged the locals to get out spreading, evidence of which we took with us. Heading back to the car park down the valley in nice time. On to the Odd Wheel with excellent service and hospitality. We are getting accustomed to being seated all together on a large table in luxury.
These seaside walks could catch on. Wonder no one has thought it before!

WW 16th March 2016

A little tour of the Little Tors.
A nice, sharp cooling breeze to set out from Higher Godsworthy.
Round Cox to the beautiful Little Cox Tor.
Gently contouring east to pick out the ridge line in the starlight.
To the wondrous Little Staple Tor.
Of course we had to ascend Middle and Great.
Roos Tor beckoned as a sure place for a sheltered cuppa.
Then steadily down, following the compass.
And there, was it just a jumble of stones?
No a truly magnificent, huge tor.
The fantastic Little Roos Tor complete with cave.
Up and over to get back to the cars.
And on to the Queen's Head.
Where we guzzled golden Australian beer at £2.45 a pint!

TWW 15th March 2016

The skylarks were singing as we left the car park on a beautiful spring day.
Up the ancient reave to Sharpitor and on to Peek Hill.
Wonderful views over a misty Burrator and beyond.
Down to Lowry Tor and on to follow the leat to the dam.
The track round Burrator was almost dry as we gained Sheepstor dam.
To rest on all the memorable benches for a cuppa.
The geese entertained us as someone went wandering.
Out and up Joey's to round the woods to the Arboretum.
Newleycombe Bridge and the track back to the leat.
Up and over to the cars and on to the Rock.
Where we could all sit outside in the warm sunshine for lunch.
How nice was all that?

Or ...

A slight haze obscured the distant blue from Leedon. But it was cold, dry and crisp with the wind sharp as a wetted knife.

Thirteen of us set off to walk through woods and rutted tracks beside gurgling, tumbling  streams. These carried the early promise of spring as we set off to circumnavigate Burrator. Thirteen set off but only one Intrepid completed the planned route to Crazy Well Pool and even beyond as he hurried along to catch up those in front only to discover, as he panted for breath, that he had left them all far behind. Never mind. A route cut short by time for the rest but a bit of uphill slog and puff through the woods to yellow, wind-blasted moorland brought things to a satisfactory and timely conclusion.  Lunch at The Rock seated outside in the sunshine: a sparkling day out with good company shared with a bobbing skylark, a squadron of gliding geese, a dog-walker interested in joining  and a few wheeling buzzards. And it cost us nothing but time.

WW 9th March 2016

A drying wind to set out from Norsworthy. Up and on to the leat in the lee. Along and out at Stenlake. By Black Tor to find the track up to Cramber. Then down to Crazy Well for shelter for a cuppa. To the track on on to the fantastic Classiwell Farm which has recently undergone very subtle archaeological restoration. To Kingsett and across Newleycombe where the small bridge once stood. Back to the cars and a totally empty Royal Oak so we could take the comfy chairs by the fire.

TWW 8th March 2016

Something new and something you really do not expect to see on the moor. Luckily the new snow gates at Princetown were open so we could get through. The weather promised to be a little misty and it certainly was. Out and up North Hessary where the views would have been fantastic. Down to Hollow, where else. And on to Red Cottages and West Mead Quarry where crowds of children were having a genuine Dartmoor day. Up to the track and in to Foggintor for a nice cuppa. And back along the old track to the cars. The PoW was fine. It appears others walk on a Tuesday - wonder what they are called?

WW 2nd March 2016

Sturdy ones set out beneath Staple and headed up. On and on and on over Roos and down to find shelter by the wall. Up to the Dew Pond and then to Cox and back. So there you are - or there they were.

TWW 1st March 2016

The first day of Spring and some perfect Dartmoor weather for a predictably unpredictable walk. Out from Postbridge and over the clapper. Then round the ancient lanes. Past the cemetery and out to Merripit where there was evidence of some odd goings on. Popping out on the Widecombe road to head for Runnage. Into Soussons and up to the red barrows. Down, down to take tea at Golden Dagger. Past Dinah's House to Soussons Farm. The windy rain did ease somewhat but never quite gave up. And on to the wonderful Pizwell where the mud did not disappoint. Back to the cars after a jolly good plodge. On to the ever welcoming Two Bridges where lunch awaited as we made our way in our muddy boots across the beautiful carpets - what a nice place. Perhaps, after all, we have attained our rightful station.