Surprisingly cool for our last walk this decade. A cooling easterly meant we were well wrapped up to head out from the Peter Tavy Inn. Up by the Colly Brook to check on the now empty swimming pool - perhaps we will get a dip sometime next year. Up in the now expected mud by Great Combe Tor and out under Cox. Gently round and down to take the track by Wedlake. Over the brook and shelter for a nice cuppa. Up the hill to Stephen's Grave for a group photo with White Tor behind. Along, along and down toward Cudliptown, then across Broadmoor Brook to Twyste. It appeared as though some tidying up had taken place with the remains of the old tractor gone. The Adriance Platt horse drawn mower still remains and the farmhouse just about stands. Along for the very fine traverse of all the Boulters and down by the church to the pub. The food arrived in good enough time and all eat a hearty lunch.
So there ends yet another decade of the Wednesday Walkers, as usual out and about in all the weather that our wonderful Dartmoor can offer. Looking at the lists it appears during the decade we completed 798 walks - a jolly fine number indeed!
A brooding overcast start for five of us from the very busy Norsworthy along the track to Deancombe,
a gentle climb to Cuckoo Rock and on to Combeshead Tor, on to Down Tor stone Row. A squelchy
stroll to the leat tunnel near Siwards Cross where we stopped for elevenses and to “WhatsApp”
catch up with our buddies in Hong Kong. As we left the breeze became a wind and the heavens
opened as we pressed on along the leat to Older Bridge, along the leat to Crazy Well Pool. The
intention had been to have a picnic on the sunlit shore, but it was thought that soggy mince pies was
not a good idea!! Met up with two of our drowned rat fellow walkers and pressed on to skirt round the
NE edge of Raddick plantation, down to the River Meavy, along the track passed Leather Tor bridge
back to the cars. A very wet walk with our picnic being held in the cars!!!
'tis said a picture paints a thousand words - so not many more required here ...
A real, proper evening to set out from High Down with the wind howling and the rain lashing. So what to do? Over the just about clear stepping stones and straight up Brat to get the full effect. On to Foxholes to find shelter by the lintels (if it had had a roof it would have well blown off). Always a nice cozy spot for a cuppa. Back out as the rain briefly eased and round to find the track back down to cross the now awash stepping stones. And, not for a long long time, to the Dartmoor Inn for a very, very warm welcome. Wet walkers in muddy boots are now very welcome and it would make a nice spot for lunch after Easter.
A snowdrift, well fancy that!
A really nice, warm morning to set out from Merrivale, hardly a breath of wind and a warming sun. Down along the lane over Little Wonder Bridge on the Pila Brook. The old trackway gently took us under Hucken Tor and to Daveytown. Along, along then down to Ward Bridge to admire the Walkham. A nice spot was found for a cuppa before heading up the old road to pop out under Pew. The trackway bent out by Heckwood where the Devil's Fingers must lie and down to cross the stream by Vixen. Back along to admire the horse, goat and geese by the Dartmoor Inn. On to a quiet Walkhampton Inn where a large table had been laid for us.
A very nice, gentle day to be out and about.
And
there you have it
promised a
'full moon walk'
so, of course
a full moon walk
it was
hardly needed torches
from the Scout Hut
in the gleaming
moonshine
up the track
to follow
the PCWW stones
to Eylesbarrow
down and across
to Higher Harttor Tor
for a nice cuppa
a cooling breeze
took us down
to the stone rows
looking wonderful
in the moonlight
by the warren house
where the roof
has been fixed
and along
the track
to the cars
and Royal Oak
which has had
a refurb!
Now that was nice; some real, proper weather for a change. From Combestone as the gale whipped through and down to cross the leat. Over the Aller Brook bridge and round under the tor to the pipe walk. To step neatly down and paddle across Venford Brook. Up and on to Bench where allegedly are the finest views on the moor - mind you it was quite dramatic today. Shelter was found for a cuppa then time to turn and face the gale. Along the ridge and across the dam. Steadily up and across to Horn's Cross. Then, with the wind and weather behind us back to the cars. The very busy Two Bridges had prepared a very nice table and the warming grub soon arrived.
A jolly fine day to be out and about and test just how waterproof those waterproofs really are.
All the owls were hooting and this super craft was safely tied up at Bere Ferrers. As we left on a cool evening - perhaps the last for a while. The half moon was shining brightly as we headed out by the muddy Tavy and up through the woods. Bending round to Hole Farm and down the hill with the lights of Calstock and Plymouth brightly shining. The odd roof at Shutecombe made a nice spot for a cuppa. Round and down back to the Old Plough for a nice pint and catch up.
Well, hard to believe you could have a better day for walking than that!
Culminating with a full heap o' sinners on Heap o' Sinners. From Cross Furzes - a long, long time since we were there. In glorious sunshine with barely a breath o' wind. Out along the Abbot's Way by Water Oak Corner onto the moor. All looking fabulous with the lovely low sun. Over by the settlements to cross the super new clapper to admire Huntingdon Cross. A wee bit tussocky to Keble Martin for a nice cuppa basking in the sunshine. Over a Walla Brook and steadily up to the beautiful, small Huntingdon Warren Cross and on to Heap o' Sinners with views far and wide; and a very nice man took our picture. Down through the pillow mounds by the warren to pick up the highway to Lud Gate. By the lane and road back to the cars to the Tradesman's Arms where we got a very fine welcome - reckon they were pleased to have some customers.
What a beautiful day to be out and about. We could all get rather used to it not raining.
You really do have to be there ...
