Certainly in need of some tlc and no wonder the way is closed. Wonder when the fixer uppers will get round to it?
The lovely bus took us out to Bellever with the usual proportion of payers. Quite cool and overcast, super walking weather. Up the track and out to Bellever Tor with lots of people out and about. Onward to check on the clock and compass and on to the Lych Way. Across the road and over what remains of the walkways to Powdermills for a cuppa. Longaford Tor deserved the full traverse then the high road back by Little Bee and the Littafords to a very, very busy Two Bridges. Where we just managed to stay warm enough to enjoy our lunch outside with the geese.
The Carabid certainly was not to go hungry. Fortunately we had our expert with us to identify. It eats slugs and can even give you a nasty nip. It was certainly not going to go hungry this evening.
After a clear, clear day of wall to wall sunshine the mist managed to make its way in before we set off from Cadover. Up the track to the Warren House and round to trace a way to Great Trowlesworthy. Out over Spanish Lake and Hentor Brook to find Hen Tor itself for a cuppa. Another remarkably warm evening to be out and about. OK for most through the clitter to the leat junction. Along and back. Somewhat later than might, so on to the always Rock.
Well worth the trek out to Hennock. On a very, very gloopy day to find a new place and some nice, very warm, bright weather. The old drovers road took us out from the pretty village to Chericombe Head. Round and on by Bell Lane to Greatrock Farm. Into the oak and beech woods to find the air shaft and on to the amazing Great Rock itself which was truly Great. A fine place for a cuppa. Down to the trackway to find the launder and adits from the Haematite mine. The tracks still clearly visible where the Haematite was extracted until 1969. Back to admire St. Mary's and on to the Cromwell Arms for lunch where we were pleased to be joined by two of our walking wounded.
They were supposed to be firing, the flags were flying, no red lights, no one in the observation hut. And, we did not go in the range.
A very warm evening to set out from Cox Tor, flies everywhere - just shows how warm it is. Straight up Cox where the gentle mist provided suitable ambience. Down by the Thufurs to the wall and the track to Wedlake. Through the fields to pop out at the Colly Brook where the fish were enjoying all the flies. Steadily up to breach the Iron Age fort to the famous flagpost. Down to the horsey hut for the second flag and on to the Peter Tavy bound at the wall corner. Careful and very accurate navigation took us on to Roos where yet another flag flew. To the dew pond and back to the cars as the sky cleared and stars appeared. On to the now predictably quiet, but open, Whitty.
A remarkably warm autumnal morning to set out from Grenofen Bridge. Over the bridge (no sign of salmon) and round to Westdown Mine to admire the remains and past Raven Rock. Onward by the beautiful falls by Buckator, through Goat Rock and over Double Waters Bridge. Perfect timing to make Big Pool for a cuppa and some skimming. Up the steep track, avoiding the hazardous tunnel, and out to Berra Tor where the holly was full of berries. Round the Iron Age fort and back past the Parasol Mushrooms to Walkham United Mine and the cars. The London Inn provided a fine venue for lunch.
The weather forecast
promised it clearing
clearing by 6 pm
and - surprise, surprise
it did start to clear
by 6 pm
blue sky
some say
so out to Princetown
which had not heard
the weather forecast
in the gloop
up to North Hessary
and out towards
Herne Hole
neatly down
unerringly
to Hill 60 Quarry
to the Red Cottages
and out by Yellowmeade
to shelter
by Foggintor
for a nice cuppa
time was pressing
but Swelltor insisted
down the shortcut
round by the cabin
and back to the railway
a steady pace
was maintained
to make the PoW
in good time
for a jolly nice pint.
The Belted Galloways seem to be impervious to the weather, just gently grazing in the mizzle like giant humbugs. From Postbridge on a Dartmoor morning. To head over the clapper and on up Hartland Tor. The track along the ridge and down took us to the Beehive Hut for a cuppa. Round Winney's Down above the East Dart on the muddy, muddy track to the waterfalls. Soon across and back. It never really rained. and it never really cleared, but it was soggy enough to get quite damp. To the PoW, very subtly and tastefully decorated for Halloween.
And everyone won a prize! A cool evening to set out from the Scout Hut. Time for hats, gloves and coats. Up to Gutter Tor with views to the horizons. Down by the part complete cross and apple crusher to Ditsworthy. Pleased to see that the roof has been fixed. Out along the track to the wonderful Drizzlecombe menhirs and stone rows. The track then faithfully guided us to Higher Hartor to find shelter for a cuppa. Eylesbarrow could clearly be seen and made a fine place to enjoy the lights of Plymouth and Saltash. The China Fleet Club guided us to back by the PCWW stones and on to the Royal Oak. Which was really, really busy and full of fellow Europeans.
A fine evening for a walk; but were we followed, were we being tracked, was someone or something trying to grab our ankles? Who knows - be careful out there!
Well they certainly were going at it! Busy, busy, busy chopping down trees, trimming and cutting, sorting and lifting.
In fact just as busy, busy, busy as us as we set off from Norsworthy Bridge on a fine, calm, warm, autumnal morning. Making our way through the arboretum where the red dots may mean more trees to come down. Up and round the track by Roughtor Plantation to find at least two of the many Roughtors. Lots of fungi around as we made our way to the stile by the mine shaft. Out along and then down to cross Narrator Brook and up by the adit to the camp site. The potato cave made a fine place for a cuppa. Round Combeshead and out to the magic stone, which still works its magic. Steadily down to the ancient longhouse then across Newleycombe by the bridge that isn't to Kingsett. Out to the track and by Keaglesborough to Lether Tor Bridge where the lumberjacks and jills were in full swing. Just time to fit in the magnificent Norsworthy Blowing House before retiring for prompt service at the Royal Oak.
Busy, busy, busy.
You really do have to be there ...
