TWW 31st January 2017

Nice
Back as it should be
The gentle rain
And mist
Taking us from Norsworthy
Up to the busy leat
And along
To climb the hill
To Peek Hill
Not a lot to see
But very atmospheric
Up and over Sharpitor
Slippy, slippy in the moist
To head down
Past where the plantation was
To Stenlake for a cuppa
Where the stools had been set out
Along the leat again
Past the Indian head
And over the aqueduct
Up the waterfalls
And round
To find Crazy Well
Down down
To Uncle's Road?
Then back to the cars
On a very mild, moist day
To the Royal Oak
For a very nice
If somewhat confused
Lunch

WW 25th January 2017

Well there must be lots out there but I can recall only two; first when filming by Tavy Cleave and another on Fur Tor. But there he was, scurrying off as some lune chased after him with a torch and camera. And even managed to get this most brilliant photograph.
Quite a cool, starry evening to leave Prewley to head up by the ice works to Sourton. Then steadily, then steeply up to catch the cairn on Corn Ridge. Those pesky pixies had a go but a quick 180 and Branscombe's came into view. Always a nice spot with shelter for a cuppa. The icy ridge line took us down to Shelstone to hunt for the baggage handle, still proving elusive. The post glaciated cwm contoured us gently round and back to the cars. On the way, what was that rustling through the grass? It was, it really was a mouse - what a treat! Back to the cars, past the closed Fox and Hounds, past the closed Dartmoor Inn to the Castle where the quiz night was in full swing.
So ice and a mouse - what more do you want?

TWW 24th January 2017

Goodness me! So many new places to go and right on our doorstep. The Rifle Volunteer was a great place to start before heading down, down, down and then down a bit. To seek out the amazing Danescombe where the Danes had come. So many interesting relics of times gone by. Times when the Tamar valley was  a hive of industry. And onward past the mines where people delight in the opportunity to spend a few days in an Arsenic Mine! - you couldn't make it up. Then to the wonderful Tamar and the busy road into Calstock. To chat with a weaver, quietly blending local colours into wonderful rugs. The quay provided a nice spot for a cuppa gazing across the river. Then, surprise, surprise, up, up, up and a bit more up again wending our way by Albaston. Popping over the road provided a further opportunity for a bit of up, up, up to Hingston Down with the amazing mine. To the Rifle Volunteer for a sensible lunch for most and absolutely outrageous pies for others. 

WW 18th January 2017

Remember; we were absolutely, absolutely guaranteed snow. So now payout time. We all got our money back for this week's walk and will have a free walk next Wednesday - so be there! On a perfect starlit evening with the Milky Way, clearly visible, shining right over us. Venus and Sirius stood out on this moonless evening. From Two Bridges on the so, so, so familiar route. Full ascents were made of every tor; Littaford, Little Bee, Lower Longaford, Longaford and Higher White. Longaford provided shelter from the cool easterly for a cuppa and star gaze. Down by the wall where we still expected snow drifts - what a disappointment.  On to pick up the tracks by Wistman's. Past the Buller stone to the cars. The Two Bridges is undergoing a refurb so on to the ever reliable and cosy PoW.

TWW 17th January 2017

And there they were, waiting for us, what a treat, so nice to see deer on our moor. Out from Holne car park where we managed to walk past the tea shop selling fresh coffee. And down, down the Dartmoor Way to wend to Scoriton. The long track, part of the Two Moors Way, took us out by the deer park, where they were all waiting for us. By the Down to pop out onto the open moor for a nice cuppa on a very mild day. By one of many leats to make our way back to the road. A steady trek took us back to the cars (no one must mention the Emu!). After such a long wait the Forest Inn was closed - Tuesday you know. To Prince Hall where a most beauteous table had been laid for a sumptuous luncheon followed by most excellent coffee.
All in all a most pleasant morning/day.

WW 11th January 2017

Not too bad at all, in fact quite a pleasant evening. The milky moon shone bright enough to manage without torches for some time. Firing on Merrivale so a somewhat technical route was required from Bagga Tor. Down the ancient trackway to find the gate to pop out under Standon. Out onto the moor to find the settlements before turning to head towards Fur Tor which could clearly be seen. The workings at Western Red Lake provided a nice spot for a cuppa as we admired the infamous Meads beyond. The range markers and quad tracks bent us back by the 1903 Willsworthy WD stones. The tricksy gate was found then somewhat plodgily by the range hut on the track. Back to the cars and lately to the closed Peter Tavy Inn. So reliably into Tavi for nice cheap beer in the pub that never shuts.

TWW 10th January 2017

Hygge

Always something new

Always something to learn

Always something to see

With new eyes

Out from Shapley car park

The promise of rain

The sight of rain

Rain heading straight for us

So on with all

The waterproofs

But the rain went round us

And it never did rain

So past the bluebell field

On to Shapley

With views to the Warren House

A cool cuppa on King Tor

Heathercombe called

And the three fishes

And back along

The Mariners' Way

Fantastic farms

Geese, cockerels, running ducks, guinea fowl

Over the stiles

Through the mud

Kendon, Lower Hookner, West Combe, Moor gate

Leapra Cross hiding in the hedge

Up the road

Past the Edwardian GPO signs

To the Warren House

Where the fire was lit once again

For a most pleasant luncheon.

WW 4th January 2017

Of course, bound to be a really cold evening with a northerly. But no, quite mild with almost no wind at all. The snow gates were left open so easy to park then off down the railway. Winding down hoping for the Moon, Venus and Mars. Into Foggintor and out to admire the remnants of all the buildings. On past Yellowmeade with the Christmas tree still up and to Red Cottages. A suitable place for a cuppa. The mast stood out but the Moon refused to reveal itself. Past Hollow to a warm North Hessary then down, down to the cars and PoW. Which was very, very quiet - just a few baubles remaining.

TWW 3rd January 2017

Yes another New Year - just where do they keep coming from? And a most delightful walk and entertaining luncheon; or was it afternoon tea? Kitley House to start; were we really allowed to drive down the drive? A goodly number turned up to walk the Yealm; or is it Silverbridge Lake? A lovely, clear, frosty and icy morning; would the sun have enough strength to warm us? No; by the Fish Pond to Warrren Point where the rusty railway bridge supports show what once was. Round to the main Yealm, lots of birds to see; Pochard grazing and Curlew calling, such a pretty place. Kitley Quay Cottage was a nice place for a cuppa although the swimming pool needs some work. And on, past the weir and across the road all the way to Kitley Caves - not open. Back and on to the House for a sumptuous lunch. It truly was amazing, just what can be achieved with loaves of white and brown sliced bread - not a lot! The gallons of free tea and coffee with piles of scones, jam and clotted cream somewhat eased the pain. Definitely an area worth revisiting - if not eating.