WW 27th June 2018

Committee of four and one dog met on this warm evening and leaving Joey's Lane behind we strode down to the many golden beaches of Burrator. Exiting via the dried up mangrove like swamps at the end we took road and track to Deancombe where the midges greeted us with enthusiasm. Hastily moving on we ascended the majestic Sheepstor before picking our way down and across Joey's Lane. Who was Joey ? And did he come from Australia ?

Welcoming pint at the Burrator Inn finished a most pleasant stroll.

TWW 26th 2018

Nine set off through Milton Combe down the street and soon left over the bridge and up the long, steep, slaty footpath.

Curious Soay sheep rushed to their gate to greet us and even provided a fighting "demo".

Up the track and into the fields along to the moors. Beautiful shade under spreading trees kept us cool until we reached the Maristow lodge gate and we began an interesting descent towards Lopwell. 

Maristow milestones, an enclosure and a huge herd of feisty heifers and two bulls kept us on our toes !

Low tide at Lopwell allowed us a foray into the woods to see ruins of Maristow Mine and the ferryman's cottage. 

Access to a convenient  series of tracks was denied on the route back to the village being private, so quick march along the almost traffic free road.

Lunch was a rather long affair and in the end deserved icecreams..on the house..and nine spoons !!

WW 20th June 2018

The longest Wednesday evening and we were promised sunshine and a clear sky and Yes it did! From Holming Beam where the road is as smooth and on over the bumps to the crossing built by the military. Round and out and then gently down to find the fantastic rock and the more fantastic cross kindly looking over the travellers. A cooling Nor' Westerly encouraged a visit to the ancient settlement for a cuppa. Up and out to Beardown Man standing proudly with views out to Fur Tor. The breeze behind hastened our return by Lydford Tor as folk gently disappeared in the mist. Round the Beardown to pick up one of many huge tracks to the bridge. And then, yes, just as promised the sun did come out and the sun set somewhere in north east. On to a very quiet PoW.

TWW 19th June 2018

A proper gloopy, mizzly, drizzly foggy morning to set out from our side of the moor. To head out to the wonderful; Chagford where the sun was shining and it was lovely and warm. And to get even warmer a quick step up Nattadon Common and on to Week Down Cross which still leans. Round and down to Yellam and on to the ford. Through the lovely lanes and fields to pop out at the ancient stepping stones at Rushford Mill Farm. Over the gently flowing Teign and on up to the weir for lunch. Back along to follow the Two Moors Way back into busy little Chagford where Bowdens still supplies absolutely everything. And then the plan really, really came together. Because on we went to queue like excited children to wait for the totally fantastic swimming pool to open. So in we went for a lovely warm swim and then a cup of tea and a slice of cake.
We really are getting the hang of this!

WW 13th June 2018

From Gunnislake Station for a nice change. Of course it had to be down, down Stony Lane to the Tamar and round by Viv's old place. On to the old lock and weir and the old road that was a rat run until the huge gate was installed. By the bat boxes to the very old (500 years) New Bridge where the garage had plenty of work to do. Onward to Clitters Wood where there is no mud. To the amazing Clitters Mine where the orange stream still flows for a cuppa. Then, of course, plenty of up and round assorted Dimsons. Neatly back to the station and down to the lovely and peaceful Rising Sun. All on yet another warm, dry day.
Makes you wonder if it will ever rain again ...

TWW 12th June 2018

As they say 'You really do have to be there ...' And for those who were there this Tuesday a real treat. We met George Ware the Great Great Great Great Grandson of Nicholas Ware. George had come all the way from Oz to explore his roots. Nicholas Ware was an ex-matelot with a wooden leg who ran Ditsworthy Warren and was the landlord of the Royal Oak in 1830! 
So out we set from Meavy on a beautiful warm day. Up past Marchant's Cross, by Yeo and up to the bluebell woods. The bluebells are setting their seed now after a busy, busy Spring. To Sheepstor Church to examine the Ware family plots and the window. Down to the bullring to hear of days before the t'internet when alternative forms of entertainment were found. And on to Sue and Keith's lovely garden for a cuppa. Down by Burrator Falls and the weir back to the Royal Oak for a most pleasant lunch as the clouds gather but the rain failed.
A most interesting day out and for a bonus folk have spotted this wonderful film about Burrator.
How Nice.

WW 6th June 2018

Sylvia's Meadow - what a real treat.
Heath, Marsh, Lesser Butterfly, Greater Butterfly, Common Spotted and most likely lots more.
All there in abundance just waiting for us to wander by.
Lots of time to explore on a warm evening.
And then out and round by the Donkey Park to head up and over to Hingston Down.
Where the West Saxons beat a combined force of Cornish and Vikings in 838.
The wonderful Hingston Down Consols ruins where Baily's shaft descended over 1000ft.
A nice place for a cuppa as the sun eased.
Too bright for the Iridium to show out, so along and down past lots of meadows.
And along the main road where lots and lots of houses are going up.
By the amazing tin tabernacle 'The Church of the Good Shepherd', last service 1983.
To the Rifle Volunteer for a well earned pint (or more).

TWW 5th June 2018

Now that really was very nice, nice to be cool. Leaving the West in sunshine to arrive at Firth Bridge in the cool with a hint of rain. Up to Grimspound and over to the RAF memorial. To the woods, which are no more, for a clear view of the three fishes stone and memorials. Round the gently contouring sheep trod to Heathercombe and the next fishy stone. By the beautiful Heathercombe gardens (next open to the public 16th June to 8th July), to rest for a cuppa,  and over to the third (1st) fishy stone. Along to the end of the Jay's Grave track and up and out to beautiful Berry Pound. Upwards into the mist to Blue Jug and on to Gray Weather (?). Hamel Down Cross called and on to Broad Barrow to find shelter for a picnic. Refreshed, onward along the down, by another air crash site (this, yet another US Liberator, took place the day before the West Okement crash we visited last Wednesday), to Kingshead Tor and then to the amazing tiny Stoneslade Cross. Through the fields and meadow and very quietly over the troll bridge. Then a big shock - the lovely Challacombe fairy houses have gone! Hopefully into safe keeping while the house is being refurbed. Onward to the warren farm to say hello to the Alapcas and back up to the cars. A jolly fine day out.