WW 29th November 2017

0⁰C and the newt was not moving very quickly.
From Norsworthy on a perfect evening; signs of frost, sky full of stars and a nice bright moon.
Along the track by the Meavy where the timber choppers have been busy.
Over the slippy bridge and up to the leat.
Along to the aqueduct and up where the icicles should be but weren't.
Along the leat with views far and wide and down to Crazy Well for a cuppa.
To Cockle's Gate and on to Kingsett to cross Newleycombe where the bridge once was.
Smartly up to Down to enjoy the vista and back down by a surprisingly large cliff and Snappers to the cars.
On to the Rock where the Christmas tree was shining.

TWW 28th November 2017

Always nice to go somewhere where no one at all has ever, ever been. 

Out from Bere Alston Station no less with a cooling northerly.

Down, down through the woods to where the Tamar was full.

Round underneath the fantastic viaduct with the sun gleaming on Calstock.

The flood defence embankment provided a super path to round the bend.

Past Cotehele House and Chapel to where the ferry isn't opposite the quay.

Onward to Ward Mine where some kind person had set out the picnic tables for a cuppa.

On and on as the rain gave us a lovely rainbow to go up and then back down again.

Over the duckboards to admire the reeds and up the lane back to the train line.

Another superb rainbow with all its colours shining guided the way.

Along and back to the station, the cars and on to the Olde Ploughe where the service is best described as 'gentle'.

All jolly nice.

WW 22nd November 2017

A true Dartmoor aficionados evening and a perfect opportunity to extend the envelope of all that our wonderful moor has to offer - Yes, it was tipping it down and blowing a gale. Venford the best possible place to start to wend in the lee on the pipe track above the Dart. Under Aller Brook Tor and on to the clapper bridge. Steadily up to get the benefit from the south westerly to Combestone where the benchmark was easily found. A wee bit too exposed for a cuppa so onwards and southwards to Horn's Cross then a turn to place the weather behind to seek out the triple stone row that isn't and down to find the Venford boundary. The stile took us into the shelter and the pathside bench provided a goodly place for a cuppa. Back to the cars and to the Forest Inn which was as busy as usual. (Just who are the people in there?) Back as a badger snuffled about.

TWW 21st November 2017

Always nice to set off on a bus; from Frank's this morning. Out to Prewley on quite a blustery day with the mist gently hiding the tops. To Shelstone to start,  where the logan just did and the elusive rock handle revealed itself. Uppety up to the crest of the scarp and along, via a cuppa stop, to Stenga. The predictable gloop to take us to Kitty where there really was a man in the box. The track took us down to Rattlebrook works and outward and onward to Great Links. To Little then down out of the mist to the next tor; Little Arms, Lower Arms, Tidddly Links ... And back over the Lyd for a nice lunch in a private room.

WW 15th November 2017

Well we certainly got our money's worth this evening. A nice, mild evening to explore Fox Tor Mire and its surrounds. We were absolutely delighted to find that the fairies had been busy and have replaced the truly wonderful small cross. Sitting just as should be on its very special boulder overlooking you know where. However, the pixies had been just as busy building tussocks over Crane Hill as we made our way to Black Lane Post. Recently refurbished and looking jolly fine, it has already acquired some carvings. Fox Tor made a pleasant spot for a late cuppa before bending our way round and down to Goldsmith's and the marvellous mire. Where, once again, the fairies had been very busy replacing the special marker across the mire. All too exciting for us to be in time, even for the Plume.

TWW 14th November 2017

And the full tour is now complete - and jolly fine too. North Hessary was clear as we headed towards Princetown but the blanket came down soon after. Quite a sharp morning to set out and up, up, up. To the North Pole and Herne Hole, all so easy to find in daylight when those pesky pixies are not about. Back and over to Rundlestone which is easier to get up than down. Over to Hollow and on to the Red Cottages that were and West Mead for a warming cuppa. No trouble down to the Pilla Brook with its very colourful feather bed. To King's and on to Swell past some early pixie snot for another full trip. Over to Foggintor for another exciting diversion and back along the high road as the mist and rain started to arrive. The Plume provided a goodly venue for lunch.

WW 8th November 2017

A very fine evening for a walk; good visibility and almost no wind. Out from Yellowmeade with its shiny yellow sign. By Red Cottages to West Mead Quarry to admire the gloopy pool and on to the powder store. Onward by Four Winds to the fantastic stone rows and long stone. Neatly round the enclosure and over the Pilla Brook to make the steady climb to King's. A superb, windless vantage point for a cuppa looking out to the Eddystone. The ridge led us on to make the exciting descent into Swelltor and a nice scramble out. There was plenty of time to enjoy the full tour of Foggintor and then the tramway back to the cars. On to the PoW where only the faintest hint of what is to come was visible.

TWW 7th November 2017

A very fine Dartmoor morning to set out for a walk. The soft rain tumbling down and all around made for a goodly wander. Out from Norsworthy and up to Lower Lether or even Lowery depending on the map. Round Lether and on to Sharpitor. Over the very, very quiet road and on up to Leeden for a sheltered cuppa. Onward and downward to admire Fur and Yes. The trackbed took us by Ingra before topping over the col and diving into the forest that isn't. To the busy leat and gently back to the cars. To a very efficient Royal Oak. So that is a sevener, what next?

WW 1st November 2017

The first proper dark evening this autumn, except it wasn't. 
The 91.4% waxing gibbous saw to that.
It looked quite cold but no wind meant for a most pleasant evening to be out and about. 
The Dartmoor Inn was already closed when we arrived. 
To set out through the enclosure and on up to Great Mis for a cuppa. 
Down to the Walkham and up to Great Staple. 
Views far and wide, to Middle and on to the quarry where a huge digger is busy doing something.
On to meet up at the welcoming Plume.