WW 26th September 2018

A truly celestial evening.
On a day when the sun rises at 7:06 and sets at 7:06. Swiftly to Minions to catch the beautiful sunset. Up through The Hurlers, being careful not to step into the fairy rings, to the Cheesewring with views far, far and wide, wide. Down and through the gap to wend up Sharp Tor as the superb Harvest Moon slowly rose over Princetown. A perfect spot for a cuppa on a very calm and mild evening. Down to pause to spot the super bright ISS soar over and, surprise, surprise, it was being chased by a satellite - just what is going on? (Ed. it turns out it was a Japanese resupply craft HTV7 carrying 5 tons of equipment!) Back to Earth, on round the quarry and back to the cars and a very busy Cheesewring Hotel.
A very fine evening to be out and about on Bodmin Moor.

TWW 25th September 2018

What an amazing day for a walk - is this an Indian Summer? Who knows, but it is jolly nice. Out from by Mary Tavy to round Gibbet Hill to drop into Brentor with its lovely old railway station. Up by Church No.1 to find the lanes and fields to bring us up to Church No.2, the totally wonderful St. Michael de Rupe. A church has been there since 1130! It makes a great place for a cuppa and views far and wide right out to where we will be by the seaside next week. Gently down to the old road to Wortha Mill where two railway lines used to pass, the GWR and L&SWR. And up and on to a most welcoming Mary Tavy Inn. 
(For some an added treat as they headed out to Roborough Down to see the Devil's Fingers - 20 or more. They should be around for a week or so at SX 5055 6095 - well worth a trip.)

WW 19th September 2018

And there he was (or was it she?) just swimming around in a puddle on the track, a Great Diving Beetle, what a treat.
Now this new committee has really got it sorted with a superbly planned and executed walk. Out from Hexworthy on a somewhat moist evening to check on the fairy who is doing pretty well. On to John Bishop's which is fairing less well and Swincombe village. Gently up and round the super taught new wire to the Three Stones and down to the reservoir. Where a most palatial spot was found for a cuppa. Down the track where the beetle was spotted and up to Dolly Treble's. Sort of round the enclosures to pop out right by the cars. Nice time to wend to the Chesterfields for a sit and a pint.

TWW 18th September 2018

A true Box of Delights.
To places new to almost everyone, to places we are not allowed to go - without very special permission. Out from Princetown on rather a grey day greatly enhanced as the brewery stirred up a mash. And down the faintest of tracks by the school to find all sorts of things. Mostly avoiding the compound to ford the swollen leats and find the clapper bridges. To the beautiful 1900 eleven arches where once a pipe carrying certain stuff lay. And on by the Prison Leat and the Blackbrook to the aqueduct and on. By where the leats merge and the leat take off to cross the road. Up the fields to Conchies Field to find shelter for a cuppa on the pipes. Onward to Fice's Well, 1568 no less, to find all sorts of intrigue - strange structures, walls with curly hooks ... Up to the leat and along to the sad cross marking where Cyril Sinclair was struck by lightning in 1983. Back to the track and on to the Millennium Stone. Over the road and on, by the Prison Farm and close under the walls. Past the most rare vintage Fire Plug sign and into the lovely church. And as we left Misty was there to greet us.
A new and most interesting walk; you really do have to be there ...

WW 12th September 2018

Now that was a real proper adventure - I am still picking the thorns out.

A perfect evening for a gentle stroll over the rolling hills of our moor as the sun gently set bringing all aglow. But no! Out from Bel Tor corner and diving down into the impenetrable bracken and briars. Was there a path - who knows, is there ever a path - who knows. But on we went prickled and bruised to finally wend way down to Luckey Tor. And, as usual on a Wednesday evening, a great big surprise. For there there were fires and folk moving about in the gloom. Lots and lots of people, people who light fires with bows and carry willow pack frames. They are The Old Way 'A unique yearlong adventure travelling as a band of hunter-gatherers across the seasons and different habitats of Devon and the Kalahari desert, with an exciting team of wisdom keepers and facilitator'. Sounds a bit like us lot; I mean it certainly was exciting, we certainly are wisdom keepers and we had our facilitator - at least I think that's what they called him later on. So on we went to find yet another path that barely is and soon won't be. Down the Dart to finally find the track back up to Dr. Blackall's and round, pondering his bumpy ride, to the cars.

I am sure the Tavistock Inn would have provided a great welcome and soothing pint or more.

TWW 11th September 2018

What a delightful event, Uncle Tom Cobley and all.
Definitely waterproofs to head up through the amazing Grimspound. Over and down by the RAF memorial to follow the Natsworthy lane then steeply up and up to find a spot for a cuppa on Chinkwell. By then the rain had eased and the heat had warmed. Down by Bonehill to the Fair which was as busy as ever. With all the attractions, something for everyone and busy, busy, busy. Soon time to meet up and head back up the interminable lane and on by The Blue Stone. To follow the ridge as the mists came in. By all the stones and unerringly back by the Pound to the cars. 
Whatever you do, please do not mention the blue ticket!

WW 5th September 2018

Lifting a hare and an Iridium flare - what more could you wish for?
A totally wonderful evening to set off across the mire with the sun rapidly setting behind. Up to Goldsmith's and into the workings. By the old track to Whealham Bottom and on to Northmore's, beautifully silhouetted against the evening sky. Finding the faint tracks to pop over to Plym Ford - always a perfectly sheltered spot for a cuppa. And the Iridium flare was right on time streaking across the sky. On by the remains of Wheal Katherine and up the sometimes icy track. Where 'eagle eyes' spotted a hare which is jolly rare. To the cycle track which has had a lot of excellent work done. And down to Nun's Cross and the infinitely long leat path back to the cars. The Plume was, as usual, busy and welcoming.

TWW 4th September 2018

There can never ever have been a better year for them. The hedgerows are just bulging with blackberries, almost too many to eat. Out from the rather lumpy Bowling Green and down the lane to find the footpath to Shaugh through the old drovers' road. Down the quiet village and out to the pipe walk. Nicely up the Plym to have a cuppa by the swimming pool. Out and on to the moor by the China Clay works. Up to Saddlesborough and Luxton with views across the Sound. On to Hawks' to ponder the construction. Down to RAF Hawks' Tor and round to the cross base. Back to the cars to the Farmyard Cafe which was everything you would expect.