Just what is going on? How can it possibly be? Has something happened? Whatever next ...
Moorland pubs that close at 10 p.m. Moorland inns that stop serving when damp thirsty people are there. Thank goodness for a bit of reliability, a steady hand, a place which knows what is what. Thank goodness for the dear PoW.
After a most pleasant wander round . Out from the Warren House and over to Birch on a proper summer's evening. Along to Hookney and down to Grimspound for a welcome cuppa. The monkey puzzles beckoned but the alpacas have departed. Past the rabbit proof wall and to the fairy houses. Curly sheep caused a lot of interest before rounding the corner to Golden Dagger. The ever wet track took us to Vitifer where the twisted Elder stood out as the skies darkened. On to the Warren House, all ready for another draught of Summer Ale. But NO, we were turfed out before we had got in. Back up plan obvious. Speed to the Two Bridges where residents would ensure a jar or more. But no, they too spurned our company. Only one place, the PoW which welcomed us with open arms and provided more than one drink for some.
Whatever can it be?
Really fantastic
Hidden away
On Roughtor plantation
A real chasm
A crevasse no less
It looks natural
Very odd for granite
What a superb place
Probably best kept a secret
Out from a very, very busy scout hut
To Yellowmead stone circles
And onward
To Roughtor
Where we found
The higher and lower tors
Then down
By the recently created tracks
To the chasm
With its rock bridge
Who knows what it was
Then on to find a clearing for a cuppa
Popping out onto the moor
When the rain gently appeared at 1200
Then winding on to Whittenknowle
The threshing floor
Hut circles
And, possibly, longhouses
Round to the main track
Back to the cars as the rain steadied
To the Royal Oak
Which was quite quiet
For a most pleasant lunch
It's all a matter of looking. Looking and listening. Seeing what is there and what is not. Hearing what is there and what is not. And an evening walk is just perfect, especially on the longest evening.
Out to Belstone, quite a long way but never ever disappointing. Where the soft mist just touched the moor. Out to the amazing Taw Marsh to admire the radon bubbler. Then gently up onto the ridge and on to Oke. Where we could see the great advantage of belted galloways. A nice cuppa as the sun must have been heading into the north west. Back along the ridge where the stone arch remains still remain. Up to Higher and along, carefully following the track to Belstone. The sheep had made a nice path to guide us to nine maidens or is it twelve boys? Rather surprisingly a red flag was flying but by then we had completed our tour. The Tors beckoned and the summer ale was a fitting tribute to a most atmospheric evening.
Such a fine day to set out for a picnic from Northsworthy.
Nice and warm with a gentle breeze - just perfect.
Up by Middleworth and past Snappers to Down.
Over to Hingston where the magic stone did not disappoint.
By the stone row to explore the pound and giant cairn.
Onwards to the leat tunnel and Seward's.
Along the recently renewed track then dropping down to Older.
The refurbished leat was full of fish.
To Crazy Well for a most pleasant lunch.
And on to explore Keaglesborough Mine.
Stopping by the lower Meavy blowing house.
Then back to the cars.
A most enjoyable walk on a lovely part of the moor.
Statts Bridge on one of the longest days. The rain was just encouraging enough to don waterproofs. Along the ancient track to Caroline Farm to admire the fireplaces. And onwards to Assycombe where some new recruits were being tested. The D stone was the opportunity for a rest as the mist swirled around Fernworthy. Down, down enjoying the recently revived bogs and even more down to West Vitifer Mine, where the cuppa stop was somewhat curtailed by the advancing midges. Over the Walla Brook and steeply up to the road by the ER telecom marker. A track led us to Birch Tor from where the Warren House shone out. Down to Vitifer Mine and the trackway to the pub, and a very nice man set off to give us a lift. The Warren House was warm and welcoming and the Black Tor beer slipped down a treat. An interesting part of the moor.
Well, really nice to get back to some lovely, proper Dartmoor weather.
A cooling breeze, a hint of drizzle and the sky near the ground.
Out from Holming Beam where the track is the finest piece of asphalt in Devon.
Down and across the Cowsic, not over muddily to Beardown.
All three tors visited with surprisingly long views.
Hay Tor, Buckland Beacon, Fur Tor ...
Over to Lydford and the elusive track to Devil's for a cuppa.
Beardown Man demanded a visit before crossing the river again.
Contouring round brought us to Broad Hole.
Where the Traveller's Ford stone stood out on the opposite bank.
This most interesting stone is still missing its cross.
Perhaps the fairies will oblige as they have at Fairy Bridge.
Back to the cars and on to the Two Bridges.
Where we were placed in the window to entice passing trade.
A warm humid evening as five set off from Horseyeatt up the grassy lane and through the gates on to the moor.
A long slow stroll to Leeden Tor with the long low light revealing shapes and shadows of quarry mounds and drainage ditches not noticed before.
Many worked boulders with their feather and tare patterns strewn over Leeden Tor's slopes caught the light too.
Swarms of hungry midges made our tea stop a hasty affair and we marched swiftly away along the rail track under the playful gaze of foals and calves.
Beer, crisps and even a tot of whisky was waiting for us in the Burrator Inn.
Sun, sun, sun, hot, hot, hot, nice, nice, nice.
From Combestone as the last of the cuckoos called.
Down to the farm and round above the Dart.
Over Aller Brook clapper.
And on to Aller Brook Tor.
A beautiful place with the Rowan in full blossom.
Onwards on the pipe track to Venford Brook.
For a cuppa and catch up.
Round and up Bench for fantastic views.
Time to round the reservoir.
And seek the illusive stone row.
Back to the cars which had been spared the rampaging pony.
On to the busy, busy Two Bridges.
For a somewhat complex luncheon.
The 1st of June 2016, the first day of summer - time for a great adventure. A warming north easterly led us out from Norsworthy. Over Snappers and up to Down. Hingston called and the light was fantastic; sunshine behind and black clouds ahead. To Cuckoo and Combeshead Farm. Over the Narrator and the ancient trackway towards Sheepstor, for a cuppa. Onwards and downwards to find the elusive Pixies Cave. It seemed somewhat smaller than of old but, somehow, we all managed to squeeze in and, more surprisingly, get out again. Round the tor and back to the cars. On to the Royal Oak where the Plymouth Morris Men were in full cry. We were asked to join but did not meet the entrance requirements: grey beards and the ability to drink lots of beer. A most entertaining evening.
You really do have to be there ...
