The last of the dark evenings for a fair while. A fine time to pause and see the ISS soaring above. With all the stars shining the long, long, long trek up towards Cosdon. The outline of Belstone ridge clear as we made steady progress. The soft, gentle mist came in just in nice time to make the summit. And there, there it was, a unicorn in all its glory just gently grazing; quite a sight. The slight breeze made for a pleasant stop for a cuppa. Then, inevitably, the down, down to seek out the Taw where the weir made for a manageable crossing. Along the track to the super busy Tors. The winter darts league 3's knock out competition was in full swing and we just managed to find a space to squeeze in and squeeze in a pint.
Heading into our lovely sunset evening Wednesday walks now after a superb winter.
Well, what a truly superb day, a nice gentle westerly, clear skies and drying up underfoot. From Pork Hill and uppety up to Cox Tor with the skylarks singing. Down through the thufurs to the Wedlake track where the stream crossing was nice and easy. Up by Wedlake Tor and on to Stephen's Grave; not on schedule for a cuppa. Steadily up to the red flag on White where the flags were fluttering and big booms could be heard. Cake was enjoyed and 'Happy Birthday' rang out. Down and round the newtake and up to Roos where the logan stone might have rocked if we had more weight. And back by the dew pond to the cars and on by the Dartmoor Inn which claimed to be open. The nice and bright Prince of Wales proved a fine spot for lunch.
Sun, sun, sun - will it ever rain again?
The spring equinox with a full super worm moon - apparently. Mind you it was quite light as we left to head out past the skateboarders, the park gatherers and to admire the twirlers on all the new machines. Under the road and round by Drake and up by all sorts of byways to get on the railway. (Soon to be rebuilt as a new mainline from Plymouth to Paddington don't you know.) Along with fine views over the lights of Tavistock. We had very special permission to climb the gate by Shillamill and presumably special permission to scrabble our way back up. On to the big Shillamill tunnel where you could climb in - but a nice cuppa called. Round and back to the old road and old rifle range. Signs of spring everywhere; blackthorn, hawthorn, primroses, periwinkles ... Up onto the canal and back into Tavi. The Market Inn made for a very fine spot for a nice pint.
Now that really was something very, very special - warm, warm sunshine and a lovely new bit of Bodmin Moor. Way, way out west to Cardinham Moor. So much new to see. Workings everywhere, along and across to a huge stone row and Colvannick Tor. And down to the wonderful St. Bellarmin's Tor with views far and wide. Round by Mill Pool ranges to Bury Castle for a nice cuppa. This Iron Age hillfort has very impressive ramparts! Down the lanes to round the firing range while Corrine's Pitts Special performed aerobatics for us to admire and enjoy. To the recumbent chimney and the old Glynn Valley China Clay works where some sort of secret opps group was drying out at the Mine Captain's house. Slightly muddily round and back to the cars. A really fantastic part of Bodmin Moor. On to a very, very busy and surprisingly somewhat characterless Jamaica Inn.
All in all a very nice day out - don't forget the sunshine!
A fine evening for a goodly team to set out from the quarry car park. Over the dam and round along to the challenge of Sheeepstor Brook. Up where the bluebells are all primed to bloom - looks like it will be a great season. Onward and down to the new house where the builders were busy, busy, busy. Through the churchyard and up the lane with something of a surprise - perfume indeed. Superb visibility with a soft moon and the outline of Sheepstor to guide us. Under the crag got us out of the breeze for a nice cuppa. The summit called to admire the views far and wide. Down and round the tracks by Narrator to the reservoir where the boom is doing a superb job in deterring trees. Cars and on to a quiet Royal Oak for a most pleasant pint. As we left the folk in red and the dancers arrived.
Well we certainly had the best of it - by the time we left the pub the sun was coming out.
Splishety splashety out to Teigncombe where the parking proved to be tricky. Up to Kestor as the snow arrived; real, proper snow that actually settled - weren't we lucky. Down to turn the corner at Batworthy and out through the puddles to the wonderful clapper bridges. Of course we had to see the tolmen but conditions meant that none were cleansed - pity. A fine spot for a cuppa and nice cake to celebrate. Over to the stone circle and on to Scorhill Farm gate. Down the lane and down the lane before swinging into Gidleigh Park. Over the rushing Teign and up to the open moor and the cars. With a few problems all made it safely to a very warm and welcoming Warren House where we sang 'Happy Birthday' to our leader.
All in all a real adventure - but just who or what moved those glasses?
It was definitely white, it was definitely the snow walk, so it was definitely snow.
Rather a wintry evening to set out from the quarry. Along to Crockern and up to the tor where the wind was breezing. The ridge beckoned, over the stile and on by Littaford, Little Bee, Lower Longaford and the majestic Longaford for the full traverse. A very nice spot was found for a cuppa and a very nice track down to Wistman's. The very popular path back is very eroded now. The stars started to appear as we got back to the cars. Again to the Two Bridges which was very busy with guests and a Commoners' meeting.
Well it pretty well held off until we got back to the cars.
Out from Venford; steadily up by the workings to by Hapstead Ford for a nice cuppa. Round and up with views to Teignmouth to seek out Snowdon and its cairns. The well trod boggy track took us across to Ryder's with its boundary stones. Down by the PUDC stones and back by the reservoir. On to the Two Bridges as the proper rain started for a nice, low-level lunch.
You really do have to be there ...
