And, by the time we left it was really, really coming down.
But, when we left it was a rather pleasant morning with barely a breeze.
Out from Princetown car park and onto the track to South Hessary. And on. To head out to find the wee pools on the way to the trig point which seems to be standing taller and taller. By the workings and on to Cramber Tor for a nice cuppa with views around. Finding the small track took us down to the leat wiggle then down the leat to the falls and aqueduct. By the lovely Black Tor Falls and steadily up to Hart. Still no sign of the promised weather. By the rifle range and up to the railway to make our way to the cars and PoW. Where a truly fantastic Axminster has been laid in our honour.
A fine evening
Cool
But little if no breeze
To set out by Gibbet Hill
Steadily up
Trying to follow
Where the biggest bunny
Had been
To the trig point with views afar
Steadily down
As the cars zoomed along
To cross the road and out
To amazing works
Reservoir overfall we assume
On to Wheal Jewell Reservoir
Quite low
And quite brown
To find the wall corner
But not the elusive tor
Down, down
To cross Cholwell Brook
And up to the engine house
At Job's Shaft
Fine spot for a cuppa
Over and on to the leat
On Black Down
As the lovely milky Wolf Moon emerged
Round the Down and down
To the cars
On to the Mary Tavy Inn
Where the usual
Warm welcome waited
And some days you catch it just perfect!
09:45 no snow at all, everything green, green. 10:00 snowing and snowing, just lovely to set out from Pork Hill. Really coming down, out and by Barn Hill to Windypost. Round by Feather and on to Pew, a perfect spot for a nice cuppa to admire our wonderful moor. Down to the track and by Heckwood and Vixen. Plenty of time so up and over the road with the snow gently crunching. To Middle Staple and down back to the cars as the snow started to softly melt. Back to the cars and on to a busy Whitty, particularly busy when we all arrived.
What a day to be out on our moor.
A cool Norwester welcomed us to Lowery Cross with a nice big moon and the stars shining. Into the woods and over the steep stile. To head steeply up to Peek Hill for the view. Down and through the col to the leat which was babbling along. We did disturb a few trout but little else. Onward and down to the metal Meavy crossing - a fine place for a cuppa. The track took us to Lether Tor Bridge and on to the potato cave where no bats were roosting. Up and over the leat and back to the cars. To a welcoming and slightly refurbished Burrator Inn. A fine evening to be out and about, perhaps there really is a hint of winter in the air.
A jolly fine day to head out to the seaside. All the way out to Noss Mayo to park at the tennis courts. Up and out of the village to take the track to Beacon Hill. With views all around and along to Carswell Cove Beach Hut - jolly posh don't you know. Onto the coast path and down to Stoke Beach caravan park and library, all very quiet this time of year. The Church of St. Peter the Poor Fisherman is amazing and the picnic tables outside made a fine spot for lunch. Round and up to Revelstoke Drive 'built in the 1880's by the first Lord Revelstoke' - actually built by out of work fishermen. The odd shower was scurrying up the Channel and our ship was out on patrol to keep us safe. By the Warren Cottage and round to the mouth of the Yealm where a few boats swung on their moorings. And neatly back, admiring all the amazing houses by the side of the creek. To the cars - a jolly fine day out.
His and hers sheds - always something new when you go to new places.
Under a gentle, setting waxing crescent out from the Trout and Tipple with the sky full of stars. Along and by the Ford Horse Crossing to head out on the West Devon Way. Steadily upward with the Tavy bubbling along down there. Sharp right took us out under the two railway bridges a reminder of the times when there were two lines north from Tavistock; the South Devon and Launceston and the London and South Western Railway. Up and on to Grendon and further on to Mana Butts. To head down the old lane to find a spot for a cuppa by the Wallabrook. Round by Kilworthy House and down by Sandy Park to pick up the railway. Plenty of time to pop round Wilminstone Quarry where lots seems to be going on. Nice time to find the Trout and Tipple had waited for us where we got a warm welcome. -2℃ on the way home!
And, there they were, brand new lambs and the old, old Field Marshall and Fergy.
After setting out from Belstone with a pleasant cooling northerly. Up by the flagpost and over the tors with a mackerel sky; said to accompany bad weather but not today nor tomorrow by the looks of it. And along to the superb Oke for a nice cuppa. More along to drop down to Knack Mine. Round and up to Steeperton - a bit too cool for our picnic. The ridge guided us down to find shelter by the babbling Steeperton Brook. Neatly over the Taw and down the track by Taw Marsh. Not much seems to have been done at the radon bubblers except the holes to peep through have been covered up. Back to the cars after a superb picnic walk on a bright and breezy morning.
A fine evening for the first Wednesday Walk of a brand new year.
A good opportunity just to check that everything is where it should be.
The goldfish were clearly snuggled down deep in the pool.
The chisel is still securely stuck in the rock.
Pew Tor continues to dominate the skyline.
Heckwood Tor manages to appear gently from the dark.
Vixen Tor hides behind its wall.
Windy Post is as neat a place as ever.
The logan stone on Feather still rocks.
The leats weave their way across the down.
The lights of Tavistock and Plymouth shine brightly.
The masts of North Hessary and Caradon provide clear guides.
The bells of Sampford Spiney ring out.
So, everything in place for another year of adventures.
Just three lonely souls turned up at Four Winds this morning (Phil, Brenda and Charlie). We had a very pleasant walk. Up the track to Great Mis Tor (sadly too late for breakfast, the Devils frying pan was stone cold!), then across to “Paddy’s Hut” on the Prison Leat where we stopped for coffee. Onwards to Fices Well, thence along the the Leat and the Cyril Sinclair memorial cross. We then re-joined the path to the road via the “Millennium Touch Stone”. Our return to the cars was hampered by a close encounter with the hunt, but not a fox in sight!
You really do have to be there ...
