TWW 27th November 2018

A somewhat moist morning to head out to Chagford. Down through the town to pick the track up to Nattadon Tor where the wind blew and the rain poured. Over to Week Down to find the cross and on to seek Shorter Cross, said to be from the 7th Century - the oldest cross on the moor no less. Down the down to Yellam with its longhouse. And on by the ancient lanes to find some shelter for a cuppa. Onward to the roaring Teign, round the Two Moors Way and back to a rather posh Three Crowns for a nice lunch.

WW 21st November 2018

So there it was, rain, rain, rain, cold, cold cold. Pop on full waterproofs at the car to make sure none of it happened.
Out on a beautiful 99.7% waning gibbous to follow the track to Seward's Cross. Over to the leat emergence and rapidly down to Hingston stone row. Finding the gert dropped us to Newleycombe. Of course it just had to be: lovely cool fizz and chocolate cake to celebrate im's BIG birthday to come when he will not be here and will actually be far, far away. Suitably refreshed, up the slope to the T-gert and on to the cross. The leat guided us to Older and back to the cars as the moon shone and shone. The Plume was warm and snug where we got up to our full complement of 50% with new hips.

TWW 20th November 2018

A wonderful day for an 8 mile walk along a stretch of the South Devon coastal path.

On a bright but cold breezy day five us set off from South Milton Sands walking eastwards to the picturesque but quiet Hope Cove (where one of our number had had his honeymoon and threw his wife’s wedding ‘wreath’ off the breakwater, I hope he meant bouquet!)  admiring the harbour views and the “pods” in a hotel garden. On through and up on to Bolt Tail with magnificent views to the West as far as Rame Head and beyond.  Followed the coastal path westwards admiring lovely coves and cliffs as far as Cathole Cliff, where a sheltered spot was found out of the biting wind for a picnic lunch, very pleasant spot, high up on a cliff and warm in the sun. It was decided unanimously that as the weather was affording such lovely views it would be better to retrace our steps rather than take the inland route as planned. As we passed the hotel there were several of the “pods” occupied with people enjoying their lunch, looked idyllic! To the cafe in the car park for a lovely cuppa and a game of Trivial Pursuit!!

WW 14th November 2018

It was an unbelievably mild and dry mid-November evening when we left Plasterdown, the moon coyly hinting at its presence from behind the clouds rather than deigning to make a full appearance. Up Pew Tor we went, the three of us, failing yet again to find goldfish in the quarry - they must be long gone. A real surprise was what appeared to be a levelling point set into a boulder on the tor: a surprise because it bears the stamp of the Hydrographic Branch of the Royal Navy. There is more to determining mean sea level than one imagines! Out, then, towards Merrivale until we met the Grimstone and Sortridge leat, where we sat for a cuppa, admired the night sky and fulminated about Brexit. Onward we went along the leat to inspect the aqueduct dedicated to one John Wills (1958 - 1987), though the grass is now encroaching on his name. A final pause at the cross for a photo opportunity before heading back down to Plasterdown and thence to a quiet Whitty.

TWW 13th November 2018

At least the weather behaved, nice and dry after the wet.  There was some concern by the leader about boginess but generally managed to avoid the worst though someone who will remain nameless ended with a soggy boggy bottom!

Out and along above the river and then the leat,  two successful water crossings. Up and around to Hentor to shelter in the lea for a welcome cuppa.

Back over the waters to the Farmstead that may have housed our summer Australian visitor's ancestors.  

Onwards to admire the large pink granite cheese and wonder why it is still there. Then down past the pillow mounds to the cars. Oh yes I have been told to mention there was some minor 'domestics' but we are still talking to each other honest!

WW 7th November 2018

Still no rain! A warm starlit evening to make a tour. From Lowery Cross and round some of the remaining trees to drop onto the railway line. To check that the sieve is not bunged up and on to the leat which was surprisingly busy. Out along by Cross Gate to Stenlake Farm for a cuppa with the cattle and stars. Round to the col betwixt Sharpitor and Lether and up Peek Hill with views far and wide. The high stile led us back to the cars to an empty Walkhampton Inn.

TWW 6th November 2018

What sort of weather forecast is that - mild and dryish with the proper rain not coming in until after lunch - quite right. So, out from Natural England and into the woods all aglow. Steadily up to pop out at North Lodge and round the road past the birthday spot. A bit more round and the inevitable pull up to Black Hill as the view tried and succeeded in appearing. Over to the cairn to shelter for a cuppa. Onward to find Victoria and then Old Jack; the pony tried to follow us but was effectively shooed away. Back to the road and round back to dive into Yarner Woods again to make our way back. Ullacombe Farm provided a fine venue for lunch as signs of 'that thing' start to appear.