WW 26th June 2019

Now that really was funny weather - blowing old boots and hot.
Out from the Scout Hut and round the mire to avoid the precious damselflies. By the lovely highland cattle to Yellowmead circles - now are they concentric or is it a spiral? Round and out past some well spotted orchids and up and across the leat and on to Whittenknowles Rocks. So amazing there, lots of hut circles and with careful guidance not one but two medieval longhouses - a nice spot for a cuppa. Down to Drizzlecombe and on to Ditsworthy Warren where the roof is starting to peel again. The sun had gone so a quick swoosh up Gutter Tor to make it rise again. Down and back to the cars and on to the reliable Royal Oak.

TWW 25th June 2019

Amazing weather, warm and humid, 20°C or more. Out from sunny Princetown where the snow gates look a bit silly. And down to the muddy track to bend round by the prison. Over the 11 arches and up to the leat. (There cannot be many Grade II listed sewerage aqueducts.) And then a real treat, up under the walls to the American and French memorials - very poignant and good to see they are well maintained. Back down to the leat to pop out on the road and up. To find fields full of wonderful thistles and absolutely covered with Painted Lady butterflies - what a sight. Over the road and down to the lovely leat confluence for a nice lunch with just enough breeze to keep the beasts at bay. A drop down to the Cowsic and the Isle of Mona took us to the Soul's Immortal stones. Very hard to decipher, one inscription is SWEET POESY FAIR FANCY’S CHILD, THY SMILES IMPARADISE THE WILD and another THE SOUL’S IMMORTAL, THEN BE BRAVE, NOR SEEK THE COWARD LIFE TO SAVE, BUT HAIL THE LIFE BEYOND THE GRAVE (according to Dartefacts). Back to the leat and out along to cross the Blackbrook to Bachelor's, where lots of work is taking place, and a very warm climb back into Princetown. 
A wonderful walk on a very close day.
And on the way home Queen Elizabeth cooling her bilges in the Sound - who can blame her.

WW 19th June 2019

A rather different day with overnight rain and drizzle which continued well into the morning. Out again from the Fox and Hounds and up to find Little Links Tor hidden in the rain and cloud. This was Dartmoor at it's atmospheric best. Two opted for a different lower level route whilst the rest of us continued on to Great Links Tor. Cloud everywhere today so no views at all. Down directly to Brat Tor where it was clearer for a while. Then down again and back for lunch and our third full meal in a row. 

TWW 18th June 2019

Perfect, proper, real Dartmoor weather for the first ever Summer Camp ever. Out from Franks' and steadily up Arms. Onward to Dick's Well and the Dunnagoats as the damp tried to get through. Bleak House provided a fine spot for a cuppa then a quick pop up Green and the damp splodge out to Kitty. Down to Rattlebrook Peat Works and the tramway. The firm ground encouraged a diversion as the weather eased, providing a chance to dry out. Back to the track and up to Nodden with signs of sunshine to the west. Down and back to the field for some cake and tea. A goodly team gathered at Franks' for a very pleasant evening meal. Some then retired to their tents ... to be continued ...

WW 12th June 2019

What rain? A fine, warm evening to set out from one of our favourite spots - Whiteworks. Neatly over the mire to find a new bridge and an ever widening path up to Goldsmith's. Hardly a breath of wind and views far and wide to seek out the superb cist. Onward to Childe's Tomb passing the Fox Moth caterpillars -  just where they should be. Upward to Fox Tor for a nice cuppa and a chance to pause and feed the voracious midges. Cattle, sheep and ponies all over Crane Hill - but why. Then we remembered the huge fire earlier in the year and now bright, shiny, luscious grass everywhere. No wonder they were all there having a feast. By Little Fox Tor and Whealham Bottom toward Nun's Cross. What to do? a dead ewe and its lonely lamb. Of course the brightest and kindest soon worked it out; a picture of its ear tag and a call into Justine and the little lamb should be safe and well. To the Plume for a nice pint. 
A really nice evening to be out and about.

TWW 11th June 2019

The walk was recced a few weeks ago on a nice warm, dry, gentle breeze kind of day…..a bit different today!  A perfect Dartmoor day of wind, rain, mist and mizzle!  We walked along the leat from Two Bridges and had much fun was had trying to get Misty over the stiles - she couldn’t work out that she needed to put both her front legs through the gaps in the fence and wasn’t too happy about being manhandled either!  Nibbler, despite wearing her coat, had to be picked up several times as she shivering with the cold…in JUNE! 

We trudged uphill through the soggy tussocks to Beardown Tors and as it was blowing a hooley dropped down onto the west slopes of the tor for tea and cake and could see across the way that the range horse was in its box.  As walk leader I felt it necessary to divert to go and pat its nose and give it a scratch behind the ears.  

The plan to cross the river below Beardown Tors was completely scuppered as the heavy rain the previous few days had made it impassable so we walked back along the leat back to the start of our walk.

The Two Bridges was warm and buzzing with people and a very nice lunch was had by all.

In attendance were:  Darren, Bill, Jane and Phil, Raz and Stella, Charlie, Brenda, Colin, and me!  Animals:  Misty, Olive and Naughty Nibbler :-) 

WW 5th June 2019

A very fine evening to head out by Statts bridge and wend our way along the old lane to Caroline Farm, abandoned in the 1830s. The gentle track took us out and round into Fernworthy as the cuckoo called. Down the wide track to the amazing Assycombe stone row, cist, burial cairn and huge hut circle. Onward by more huts to the ancient farmstead - over 4,000 years of history right there. A secret forestry track took us through 80°. Gentle dots of rain appeared which the more agile managed to dodge. The midges were rather intimidating so a cuppa was taken near the edge of the forest. Out as a HUGE storm raged over Cosdon. To Water Hill and neatly down to the Warren House Inn where the fire had been lit. Black Sheep bitter from Masham hit the spot as the deerhound explored its dinner. Still lots of daylight to round up to Wheal Caroline and down the gert back to the cars.
These long, long evenings are just wonderful especially with a crescent moon.

TWW 4th June 2019

Some proper nice weather to head out from Prewley, a gentle breeze and soft rain. To head up and round into the glaciated cwm to Shelstone Tor to find the jug handle. A neat contouring path was found to take us round the West Okement and on to the crash site. 28th December 1943, a Liberator crashed on its return to Dunkeswell from a mission over the Bay of Biscay. All ten American airmen lost their lives in what must have been a very bleak place in December. 
After paying our respects we headed down to easily cross the river and find shelter in Black-a-Tor copse for a cuppa. The track took us all the way down to the bridge and the pull up to get back to the cars. On to the welcoming Fox and Hounds as the rain stopped and the warmth crept in.
It is very, very dry out on the moor - this little bit of rain seems to have had little effect.