WW 27th November 2019

Now that really was very, very dark; quite the darkest night (evening) we have had for a long time. But by the time we got round a bit the cloud lifted and we could see the landmarks. From the Hairy Hand when you could absolutely guarantee that it would rain - but not a drop. Out to the Lych Way and then round the forest to bend our way up to Laughter. It really is jolly wet out there. A nice spot for a cuppa then down to the gate to check on the tank - brim full. Up to Bellever Tor then gently back. To the Prince of Wales which was very, very quiet and very tastefully decorated for Christmas.
A nice evening to be out on the moor.

TWW 26th November 2019

Always nice to go somewhere new and this really was somewhere new for us. To Oreston to park on what was the sea wall. Out along on the super signed South West Footpath to Hooe Lake. An amazing place with all its long resting ships. Round and by Turnchapel by all the lanes and ginnels to Mount Batten where the seaplanes once left. And up to the tower for a nice cuppa - quite sheltered on a very stormy day. All along by the sea by Jennycliff to Staddon Heights. Down by where Radford Manor used to stand, to Radford Woods and Buddle Woods. By Radford Lake, where we were told about Drake and Raleigh bringing ashore their ill-gotten gains to secrete them at the manor. Back to a very welcoming Kings Arms. So much to see on a very stormy day. Not a drop fell whilst we were out but the rain soon came when we were back home on our moor. 

WW 20th November 2019

Totally magnificent planning and timing; got back to the cars just as the rain arrived.
Rather a cool evening to head out and up Leeden. Steadily down towards Fur and on past Yes. Through the cutting and up the short cut toward Foggintor. The steady track took us on to Swell then nicely down to the Criptor track. A sheltered spot with seating was found for our cuppa. The rather obscure guide posts took us on the muddy track to the lane. Up to Ingra and round the trackbed to wind back up to the cars. On to a quiet Walkhampton Inn for a nice pint and catch up with an 'old' friend.

TWW 19th November 2019

Always nice to start with some good news and some really good news today - congratulations. 
A coolish morning to head out from Bel Tor. Down the lane to Dr. Blackall's and on the way some lovely white cattle with brown ears and feet and calves - White Galloways or British White?. Round above the Dart with all the trees aglow - are they brown or are they grey? And down to Leigh Tor and even more down to Spitchwick for a nice spot for a cup of tea and birthday treats. Out along and then steadily up through Great Wood to the manor. The house we so admired a few years ago is now complete with its wonderful cedar cladding and shingles all softly mellowing in. Uppety up to Leusdon Church with its memorial to Lt. Struben from the manor, a Dragoon who then joined the Royal Flying Corps and was shot down in the 1st Word War. Even a bit more up to Ponsworthy and then (not surprisingly) even more up to the moor and back to the cars. On to Badger's Holt which made a jolly fine spot for lunch.
(No matter what anyone says there certainly was a lot, lot more up than down.)

WW 13th November 2019

Apparently someone once said "You really do have to be there." and this evening you Really did Really have to Really be there. Crunching through the snow under a full moon!
Out on a misty evening after lots of rain; soon the snow appeared by the road and at Whiteworks there was quite a covering. Of course, down and out to cross the mire and then the wonderful moon appeared gently out of the mist. Quite moist up to Goldsmith's then on to Whealham Bottom. Up the hill as the moonlight poured in to the new (again) Hand Hill Cross - and mighty fine it is too. By now no need for torches at all as we could see for miles. Down to Seward's and to Nun's Cross for a cuppa. A marvellous evening to round the leat looking over the mire and back to the cars. A somewhat protracted journey to the Plume which was nice and quiet after a busy evening of boy-racers coming out to find snow. 
What a truly fantastic evening to be out on our moor, what more do you want - bright, bright moonlight and lovely, lovely snow.

TWW 12th November 2019

And not a single drop fell - on us. As the rainbow shone to the north out from Blackaton Cross. (Emmet's Post is now well, well gone, all that is left is a huge big hole.) Across the Blacka Brook to the fantastic double stone row and on to Trowlesworthy. Dark clouds appeared on the north horizon but all seemed to scoot round us - mind you it was jolly cold! To Hen for a nice sheltered cuppa. Onward and upward toward the trig point and along the ridge to Shell Top. Beautiful views out to sea and all over the moor. The true scale of the china clay works hove into view. Some parts are now grassed over while the water jet is working elsewhere. Round and down by Big Pond; not at all inviting for a swim today. Back to the cars to the Royal Oak which was super busy but soon emptied when we arrived. Our nice luncheon arrived very smartly.
A lovely wintry feeling day to be out on the moor.

WW 6th November 2019

Well there certainly was plenty of weather about. Out from Yellowmeade in thick Dartmoor mist with the rain gently falling. To head up to Hollow as the mast lights popped out. Along, along, searching, searching to find the strange orange thing - always nice to find a strange orange thing. Just what could it be? All sorts of strange theories abound but most likely the exit from a prison escape tunnel. No doubt they popped their heads out and headed straight back for a warm shower and hot dinner. Down to Foggintor as the mist reappeared, to find shelter in the railway cutting for a cuppa. A brief foray to Swell then back to pick up the railway and down to a raging Pila Brook. The only way to cross, to ford the ford - nice and cool. By now the wind had joined in and it seemed a long, long way back by Four Winds to the cars. On to the Prince of Wales which is appropriately decorated for Remembrance Day.

TWW 5th November 2019

A jolly fine morning to set out from a very, very busy Parke. To enjoy warm weather, beautiful woodland and marvellous fungi. Parke Wood to start and out by Blackmoor Copse. Down the road to the the Wray Valley Trail and along the trackbed. Popping out and the steep pull up at Knowle. And then a real treat, yet another brand new tor, presumably Higher Knowle Tor. A very nice spot to sit in the sunshine for a cuppa. The woods have some really beautiful fungi particularly the well named Magpie Ink Cap where quite a few specimens had our close attention. Steeply down by the bitey dog to marvel at the manor house Plumley, sharing its name with one the  many mines around about. To find the high track by the river to bend us back to Parke for a jolly fine luncheon in Home Farm cafe surrounded by Dianne's beautiful pictures.

A very nice autumnal walk indeed.