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.