WW 29th August 2018

Henry's photos are still there and all is just the same ...
After rather a mizzly, dribbly, misty day up on the moor, a truly fabulous evening emerged for a wonderful walk. From the Hairy Hand and past the ponies under a blue, blue sky. Across to check the nightjars had headed home and round and up. Chasing the sun back into the sky to Laughter Tor to watch it steadily sink as the heather and gorse bloomed. Down to the sheepfold for a cuppa and then along the familiar track by the tank and up to Bellever - always fantastic there. Down the slight track to check it is still 10 to 3 and into the brashings to seek the forestry road. And back to the PoW to see what is going on. Apparently it will be a month or two before any changes.
And as we left a beautiful moon rose - just as it has.

TWW 28th August 2018

From Fernworthy on a most pleasant morning. To cross beneath the dam and head up to Thornworthy Tor, lots of cattle, calves and sheep about. Down and through the dip to Frenchbeer Rock and across to Middle. Up to Kestor to admire the rock basins and pause for a cuppa. Down by Batworthy Corner to follow all the stone rows up and over to the Long Stone. Three Boys was just sitting there. Down the track and into the woods. Lots of orange dots and strange runes hint of what is to come. By the wonderful beech tree and round to walk the edges of the reservoir back to the cars and on to the Warren House Inn. Which, surprisingly for such a warm day, had a log fire burning.

WW 22nd August 2018

Goldfish and frogs - a perfect evening for both.
The warm mist and mizzle had arrived by the time we left Oakley Cottage.
To check, once again, on the quarry.
Not over hopeful as the dog walkers left and the green ooze oozed.
But, there they were, just swimming about like ... goldfish.
So up and out to check the chisel is still stuck.
And that the Devil's Fingers have yet to arrive.
By Vixen Tor and up to the quarry for a very shiny cuppa.
Round the quarry and up by the Sett Makers' Bankers - whatever that is all about.
By Middle and down to the gert; torches needed to cross the road.
Down by the leat and the wheelwright and lots of frogs to Windy Post.
And on steadily to a quiet Whitty.
Where we were served by the landlord no less.

TWW 21st August 2018

Wow - what a day!
From Yartor Down and over to the wonderful Sharp.
By the money pit and up to Cave Penny.
The gorse and heather have never, ever been so luxuriant.
Up to Corndon and along by the cairns.
To stop for a cuppa and admire the views far, far and wide, wide.
Out along the ridge and down towards Cator to admire the 'new walls for old'.
Back along the trackway to Sherwell with the fantastic thatch and slate.
Through the fields and steadily up to Yar Tor.
Down through the majestic colours and back.
Over a very, very busy Hexworthy Bridge.
To a very, very quiet Forest Inn for a most pleasant lunch.
Nothing better than an English summer!

WW 15th August 2018

Out

into the Grey

from Willsworthy

as the mizzle

mizzled

and along

down to the leat

and round

to the bridge

above Lane End

to Ger

somewhere in the mist

and on to Hare

to shelter for a cuppa
with spicy apple buns

down the tumbly ground

torches on

by the new wire

and on

to the ever pleasant

Mary Tavy Inn

TWW 14th August 2018

A nice mild day to set our from Okehampton Station joined by welcome visitors. Down the tramline and under the bridges. To follow the babbling East Okement through the woods then up to Halstock Stud to admire the spotty ponies. Round and down to the river to the wonderful swimming hole: the onset of very gentle mizzle encouraging many to go for a dip in the refreshing river. Out for lunch and then on by Scarey Tor. By the slowly declining Watchet Hill Cottage to West Cleave Tor. Into the lanes and to Simmons Park and the steady steps back to the station. For tea and cake - very nice indeed.

WW 8th August 2018

At last, at long, long last, at last some lovely, lovely rain.
Absolutely tipping it down as we set off from Anderton layby.
To dip down to the cycle track and through the tunnel.
On to the busy, busy wedding venue where, apparently, a pop-up opera was on.
And round to Double Waters for a nice cuppa.
Steadily up to West Down and out on the lanes.
Where the little frogs were really enjoying the new rain.
Back and to the Whitty which was very quiet.
Until we got there ...

TWW 7th August 2018

A jolly fine day for it after all that rotten sunshine.
Out to East Okement Farm in the cooling mist.
To cycle all the way out and up to OP15.
And then on to Ted Hughes OM for a cuppa.
(Lifting a beautiful fox on the way.)
Up and over to Cranmere Pool for a nice lunch.
It had to be done, so onward to Black Ridge.
To explore the wonderful Peat Pass with its lovely white markers.
Down and over the West Okement to Ockerton Court.
To make our way back to the bikes.
And the easy scoot back.
A jolly nice way to see some of the more remote parts of our moor.

WW 1st August 2018

What a truly fantastic aerial display.
The photograph barely does it justice.
Out from the car park where the drought means free parking.
Gently round and up to the Lych Way.
And on to check it is still 10 to 3.
Up to Bellever Tor with views afar.
For a leisurely cuppa.
Down the wide track to where they always are.
A nice, long wait as the light eased.
And the moths rose.
With the odd sighting.
Then, in the dimpsy, they appeared.
Swooping round and over us chirping away.
Absolutely marvellous!
On to find a not too unpleasant East Dart open at 10.