TWW 30th April 2019

Well one TWW was in the right carpark with right grid reference but thought to be up north and most were in another carpark not up north and then lots were up north and two were in Costa Rica.

Plain sailing after all that was sorted and we hiked along riverside tracks to cross R.Wray at Clam Bridge then up through woods to bluebells and on to Lustleigh through orchid lined path. The apple trees were nearly all in flower and we lingered awhile before ascending path and heading down again across Hisley Bridge and on to the quiet but welcoming Kestor Inn.

WW 24th April 2019

All rather odd and reassuring. The Northmore Arms was exactly, exactly as it always has been - expect that the landlady, Nikki, and her huge dog have left. In fact it was all very inviting. It is being run by volunteers from the community - yes people actually giving up their time to run the pub for free. Whilst the owner pops in for a drink every day and waits for a new tenant to mystically arrive.
A long, long, long way out on a cooler evening to Shilstone. To head out to Shilley Pool where we swam - not over inviting this evening. Up to find the fantastic triple stone row as the sun set and rain clouds gathered in the east. Along the hidden trackway then down to cross the ford at Blackaton Brook. And back to the tor with the cuckoo calling.
All in daylight and nice time to enjoy the really real ale at the Northmore Arms and catch up on all the gossip. 

TWW 23rd April 2019

Very, very hard to choose - just what was the star of the show?
The bluebells were absolutely blooming and in places competing for swathes of colour with the violets. Tiny pansies peeped out alongside the wonderful scarlet pimpernels and forget-me-nots. The ransoms were in full roar with the vetches coming along 'ansomly. Of course the early purple orchids just demanded attention and the thrift billowed on the cliff edge. So, so much to see especially if your guide knows all the secret paths through the woods.
All the way, way out by Fowey on a warm morning to take the track down to St. Catherine's Point. The coastal footpath guided us round to Polridmouth - a superb spot for a nice cuppa by the egrets, swans and heron. Round and up by the amazing woods to catch Gribbin Tower standing sentinel as the cardinal buoy gonged away. Onward by some wonderful meadows all the way to Polkerris where children were playing on the sands and we stopped for our picnic lunch. Ice cream called before the old, old trackway up and on to the Saints' Way to take us back.
'Tis a fair old way out by Fowey but a fantastic place for a spring flower walk.

WW 17th April 2019

They must be bonkers, bonkers; I mean we could hardly walk up them so how and why anyone would even try go down them on a bike is bonkers.
Back to Tamar Trails and the super exciting track down in amongst Bedford United Mine. What an amazing place, now a peaceful wood and then a wild, noisy landscape. Down to the Tamar to walk along where the purple toothwort has gone and the ransoms have flowered. To find a nice spot for a cuppa where the remains of a teapot were found and someone saw a kingfisher. Up to the main track which would gently have taken us up - but NO onto the cycle tracks to charge up the hills, over the jumps and bridges - really ace. Eventually to pop out near the top with little idea where. The swing was found and enjoyed then down into the tips and round the tramway back to the cars as the nearly full milky moon shone.
On to the Copper Penny where Elsie's arrival was celebrated and someone mentioned their birthday tomorrow, 

TWW 16th April 2019

Well we were really lucky there! The sun kept threatening to pop out and really cook us but luckily the cloud won through.
From Yelverton on the early bus, so early we even had to pay, so there goes this year's pension rise. To the Fox Tor Cafe for a really good breakfast with some magic sauce. A quick check on the Ice Warrior then out by South Hessary. The nice track took us down by Hart Tor Brook and out to the tor itself. A cool breeze encouraged us to Black Tor Falls for a cuppa and to admire the wonderful primroses. Up to the tor and down to the settlements. Round what is left of the forest, the col and the traverse of Lether Tor. With the sun trying to peep a fine spot was found for a picnic. Up Peek Hill and down where the snow can lie so, so deep. Over the stile and on to Lowery Cross where South West Water are doing their very best to fence everything in sight. Yennadon called, Iron Mine Lane, Lake Lane and back to Yelverton.
A very nice one way trip across our moor.

WW 10th April 2019

Now that really was a nice surprise, the track from Kitty by Hunt and on to Gren appears to have had the heavy roller - a beautiful wide, mossy track now. 
From Prewley with the sun now predictably high in the sky and out and up to Branscombe's with blue, blue skies to the east. Along the track that isn't over the tussocks and through the plodge - a perfect spot to Christen new boots. To Steng-a-Tor sitting in its lovely mire. Up to Kitty which was all shut up but made a nice spot for a cuppa. Down the super mown and rolled track to Hunt and steadily down to Gren. A nice moon lit our way as we met the tramway and on to the points. Gently down and back to the cars and on to Frank's which was warm and welcoming.
A very pleasant, cool evening for a wander over our moor - don't be putting out those tender plants just yet!

TWW 9th April 2019

Well the bridge was closed and 'they' promised rain, but, of course, we just carried on and had a fine day out. From Cotehele and down, a bit early, to the mill and on to the quay. Great work taking place to rebuild Shamrock, proper ship building. Round to the Chapel and on into Calstock for a cuppa - no sign of ice cream or coffee. Following the Tamar Discovery Trail by the Tamar to the sewage works and the wonderful toy wall - really fantastic. Back into Calstock in nice time for our picnic lunch - some even managed a pint as well. Along and up into Danescombe past Robin's memorial and all the terracing where the daffodils still bloom. Into the combe and the swing, past the mines and up to Cotehele. And not a drop of rain and quite warm.

WW 3rd April 2019

Very, very rare don't you know so little chance of actually finding them. But no! loads and loads of them down by the river, all along, hard not to step on them, really fantastic.
From Scrubtor on an April day when snow had fallen, out and along and down by Weir Cottage to The Great Leat and the Tamar. Lovely walking on a nice light evening with ransoms all around and then there they were. We were really, really excited to actually find them. And, as we followed on by the river they were absolutely everywhere - what a treat. After the weirs up some old, old steps and onto the trail. Out and up to the arsenic wastes to the calciners for a cuppa. Cloudy by now so we did not hold out much hope. Up the lane to the wonderful swing - probably the best swing in the world. And, as we gazed up from the swing, it shot across the sky right on time - Wow! Down and back by the contaminated pond and on to Chipshop. The Copper Penny was very quiet,  welcoming and delightfully unimproved. A very exciting evening for our first walk in the light.

TWW 2nd April 2019

Well they certainly were busy, busy, busy. A surprisingly pleasant morning to set out from Buckfastleigh with threats of rain, hail and storms. Up the lane to find the track by the Mardle and on to Bilberryhill. Out and round to Brook Manor where, one again, we had very special dispensation. Feeling quite wintery but the bluebells are getting ready. Round to Hawson Cross and Stumpy Oak where the old oak is starting to bloom and the new sapling is making progress. A nice spot for a cuppa. Small squalls made their way through and it certainly did look black over Bill's mother's. Along to the Holy Brook where we collected chestnuts not so long ago. Past the rocket and our apple tree to swing down by the abbey. Steeply up to the old church where Squire Cabell is safely back behind bars. On to a very disappointing Globe for lunch.
All in all a jolly good day out, and as we left the rain started and signs of snow at Princetown.