Liquid sunshine - that's what it's called.
And it certainly lived up to its name.
A perfect Dartmoor evening to set out from Saddle Tor.
On a long, long evening with so much green.
By Emsworthy and then to find the track, any track.
To Emsworthy Rocks and on to Holwell Tor.
To admire the quarry with its beautiful, gleaming rock faces.
Along the tramway past lots of points.
To Smallacombe for a cuppa.
Fantastic views over the ridges as the sun must have been setting.
Haytor Quarry was a must.
No snakes but lots of lovely water lilies.
By High and Low Man to the cars.
And on to the Rugglestone.
Well, we did it, the first successful, complete, scheduled, official Tuesday Wednesday Walkers' swim, and very nice too. From South Zeal on a somewhat close day. Through the trackways and out under Cosdon. To find a most pleasant contouring track round to the stone row for a cuppa with views over South Zeal to admire the amazing burgage. The wonderful Cheriton Combe mire drew us in to carpets of sundews and stands of orchids. To Blackaton Brook by a superb hut circle and onwards and downwards. To Shilley Pool which was really lovely and the perfect spot for a dip and luncheon. Trout were jumping out of the water to enjoy their lunch. We will not mention the totally awful sight we saw, just to say we will never ever see one person in the same light again. Back to the lanes and by Ramsley Mine with its beautiful rebuilt chimney. Time was found to visit the Oxenham Arms and admire the menhir and stone axes. So much to see in South Zeal especially the little church with its fantastic clock. And the rain never came, perhaps it never will?
Now that really was amazing! Out from Hexworthy to check up on the fairy. She seems to be just fine and enjoying these long, warm evenings. Up Deep Swincombe past the blowing house and mould stone. Over the very dry sphagnum and past the raven's nest. Popping out a nice westerly breeze welcomed us. The track took us to Ter Hill crosses and to Mount Misery for a cuppa. A few whispy clouds were to be seen and a mist seemed to be appearing over the mire. And then, in the space of very few minutes the mist rolled on in. And the sun disappeared - really fantastic and very Dartmoor. Down the wall to catch the leat and on by the reservoir. To amazing rocks and an unnamed tin mine. The pipeline track taking us back to the cars and on to quite a boisterous Forest Inn.
Nights are drawing in ...
Yes, there is intelligent life on the moor in this heat.
And there they were sheltering in the shade.
But we humans know a lot better.
Proper Mad Dog weather to head out from Combestone.
And on to Horn's Cross, up and over.
Through the cotton grass to Hapstead's for a cuppa.
The gully and Mardle Head guided us to Ryder's.
Where another group of mad dogs joined us.
Down, down through the beautiful grass.
Gently weaving in the wind just like the sea.
To Low's Shaft and Hooten Wheals before finding an old leat.
Carefully navigating the orchid groves.
And a track to guide us back to the cars.
The well refurbished Forest Inn provided a goodly lunch.
And then, on to the Dart for a cooling swim and ice cream.
A nice way to spend the day.
To Morwellham
For an exciting journey
Along the trails
By the wheelpit
To the old leat
With dark tunnels
Deep water
(For those without wellies)
Rope to clamber down
Ledges to traverse
Through the jungle
To pop out
By the weir
For a cuppa
Back along
Where you shouldn't
To the old farm
All the wonderful implements
Slowly decaying
To No. 10
For cool beer
Too much popcorn
All jolly good
A beautiful warm sunny morning with little breeze and the ground was surprisingly dry after the heavy rain at the weekend. We took the road up past the Filtration Station before joining the old Zeal tramway. A brief coffee stop just below Petre's Pit and then on to Petre's Cross on Western White Barrow. Down the hill and briefly on the Two Moors Way before crossing over the Clapper Bridge. Downstream to Huntingdon Cross and then across the ford to find the old remains of the Keble Martins Chapel where we had our picnic. Back around the Avon reservoir.
And Yes, they duly did set out from Oakley Cottage ...
A morning of sunshine and showers. Out from the church and up to Manaton Rock. A new route down to Foxworthy and then up to Hunters Tor to get down behind the wall and out of the wind for a coffee break. Along the ridge and steeply down to the Old Clam bridge. For years the old bridge has been barricaded off to try and prevent people from crossing. Recently the rails have been re-furbished and the bridge has re-opened. Finally the steeper bit back up to Water and to the Kestor Inn for lunch.
You really do have to be there ...
