To the seaside, we're going to the seaside.
Far, far, far away, nearly three quarters of an hour.
Far, far, far away to Noss Mayo.
To climb the hill past the cyclamen.
To pop out on the cliff.
Round along Revelstroke Drive.
(Reminiscent of Dr. Blackall's from last Wednesday)
Views out over Wembury and the Mew Stone.
Down to Cellar beach to find the sea glass.
Along the lane where the Sweet Chestnut are fruiting.
By the ferry and round to the Ship.
For a sumptuous luncheon.
Nice at the seaside.
Bel Tor a great place for an evening walk. A gentle cooling breeze as we set off down the road. To find the hidden track out to Spitchwick Manor. The new house being roofed in beautiful cedar shingles with solid oak window frames provided a lot of interest. Well worth returning to in a few months. Down the track through Great Wood to pop out by the Dart. A steady pull up to Leigh Tor to enjoy a cuppa by the rocks. Onward to the quarry and the prickly track to Dr. Blackall's. By Mel Tor and on to the Tavistock Inn for a super warm, traditional Dartmoor pub welcome. A most pleasant, straightforward walk - down then up.
On and on and on
And on and on and on
And on
What a summer!
Out from the Scout Hut
Up to Gutter Tor
To admire the Devil's Frying Pan
The reclining cross
The apple crusher
And vermin trap
Over to Whitttenknowle
Ancient settlement
Hut circles
Windstrew
To Drizzlecombe
To admire the menhir
Have a cuppa
In Giant's basin
Up to Higher Hartor
Eyelsbarrow
To follow the flatrod stones
To the huge wheel pit
By the recently stabilised PCWW stones
And back
And on to sit outside
The Royal Oak
Very welcoming
At midday
A true committee walk with lots and lots of interesting things to find. Out from Bennett's Cross as the sun set to admire the wonderful Highland Cattle that grace this part of our moor. Onwards to explore King's Oven, its name derived from the 1240 perambulation, and the truly enigmatic V-stones. Just what can they be: something to do with the warren, a method for getting trucks on the tramway - who knows? Water Hill beckoned then swiftly back by the pub we will not name. Then out, out to explore Soussons Ridge, the amazing gerts and old building. Down the girt variously with huge holes, giant crags and tricky trails. To pop out by Vitifer Mine bridge for a cuppa in the moonlight. Chaw Gully deserved attention as did Challacombe stone row. Swiftly over to Birch and back to the cars as a gentle mist came in. A toot to show our disappointment and on to the always welcoming Prince of Wales. Such an interesting evening with so much to find and see.
To the Fair! They said it was going to be humid and it certainly was: some might even say dampish. Out from Grimspound, up and over and round Hameldown. There certainly is a track marked on the map, most likely a track on the ground but six feet of bracken made for fun. Down the steep track to the sounds of the fair significantly delayed by the delicious blackberries. The fair was in full swing with all sorts of delights especially the lightning, clap of thunder and downpour. Uncle Tom Cobley was there, ferret racing, sheep, cattle, tractors, old cars, duck gathering, dog show, the hunt ... but best of all the wonderful west country voices of the announcers.
Always a delight to go to Widecombe Fair.
Autumn signs all around but still t-shirt weather. With a gentle warm wind to welcome us to Whiteworks, which had just emerged from a day of gloop in time to miss the sunset. Out and down to cross our wonderful mire that never disappoints. Luckily no one paused as we bounced over the deep. And round to the cist. On on to Childe's which, as usual, reluctantly emerged from the fading light. Swiftly up to Fox Tor for a nice cuppa and to see Iridium 10 burn across the sky. The old trackway dutifully took us easily across to Whealham's Bottom down to Nun's Cross. There the pixies did try but the compass bent us back on course. To the leat, back to the reliable, welcoming PoW. Which, we realise, has to stay open to welcome Bill to read. For once tele an asset in a pub as we admired the swirling colours of the opening ceremony.
A nice warm morning with gentle mist around the tops. Perfect weather to set out from Pork Hill up Cox and on to Great Staple. Down the old trackway to the quarry and across the road. By the tor we do not talk about and time for a cuppa. Over to Pew with views afar and letter boxes aplenty. On to Feather where the logan stone still does. The bullstone and Barn Hill then on to the Whitty. Which was very quiet - as everywhere is nowadays.
You really do have to be there ...
