WW 29th January 2020 - Christmas Dinner

And there most all of us were for a fine Christmas Dinner. No snow or ice this year, quite mild in fact. A jolly good spread all round.

TWW 28th January 2020

Lovely weather to set out from the quarry car park. To follow the leat under a blue, blue sky, then down. But, the wintry rain started to arrive as we crossed Norsworthy Bridge for a nice cuppa on the soft moss. Up past Middleworth to Deancombe where we met another walking group - how very odd indeed!  Up the restored track and out under Sheepstor. Uppety, up and on to find varied ways down and round over the dams. By now real snow was coming down and it felt somewhat cold. Time to head to a very busy Rock where the service was excellent.

WW 22nd January 2020

Bit of a shock, a surprisingly cool Easterly to welcome us to Long Ash. Down along the down and round to find the track to Skew Bridge. Dropping down onto the railway took us to Gem Bridge. And there, right in front of us, a mouse ran out and across. We feared it would plunge from the edge but our torches obviously so blinded it that it sat stock still. Onward and downward to Grenofen Bridge and the muddy track by the wedding venue. Up onto West Down then back down the Down again by the road to make our way through Goat Rock to Double Waters; always a nice spot for a cuppa. Steadily, steadily up by Buck Tor and back round to the cars. On to the Drake Manor where we haven't been for a fair while for a suitably named pint of Gem.

TWW 21st January 2020

A lovely sunny, frosty morning to set out from Roborough. To head down the ginnels and lanes through Woolwell. Out to the old tramway and round. By the limpid, toxic pool and winding down through the valleys. Over and under all the fallen trees and there they were. With a great big crane lowering in a huge, huge septic tank. (The things you find out on a walk!) Down, down and under Riverford Viaduct to the Plym. By now the sun was managing to break through the trees and things were warming up. Along the river to find a nice spot for a cuppa. Then the apparently inevitable up, up, up to Bickleigh. Back along the railway then up to find the tramway again. Out to a lovely field soon to be the site for another 200 houses to add to the 2000 planned for behind Roborough. Out and along to the main road and the super efficient Lopes Arms. Really nice to be walking on frozen mud for a change.

WW 15th January 2020

Now that is a lot, lot better. A fine, dry, starlit evening with just the gentlest of breezes to take us out from Iron Mine Lane. Up to the top of Yennadon and round to Lowery Cross. Through the woods to pop out on the tall stile where the best snow cave territory can be found - not today. Nicely up to Peek Hill to admire the views far and wide. Along and over to Sharpitor then down to the col. A neat way was found to the forest boundary and the track to the leat crossing - always a sheltered spot for a cuppa. The leat gently took us all the way back to the dam although we noticed the decades old chain to close the gate has gone as has the old iron gate. Along the leat a really huge, big, blue thing - a fair time since we found a thing. The railway took us back to the cars to the ever reliable Burrator Inn for a nice pint.
A jolly fine evening to be out and about.

TWW 14th January 2020

Wow, that really was some weather, hard to know how much rain was coming down and how much was spray lifted from the reservoir. The wind was really howling as we left the quarry car park. To head down and under the viaduct and over the little bridge. Up and round and along as the waves crashed over the top of the dam. Up and out to get the full benefit. And on, into the gale to round under Sourton Tors and find the Vellake Valley crossing - a nice calm spot for a cuppa. Along and slippery down to the small dam and bridge over the West Okement. Round the reservoir to admire the waves and the sweeping showers. By the dam and gently down back to the cars. On to the Fox and Hounds which was warm and dry. A great day to be out and about.

WW 8th January 2020

Well it was just so, so wet and muddy even the ducks were perched up high to keep their feet dry. By the Down on another very mild evening to explore the lanes and byways. Through Holwell and on to Caseytown, by now almost getting used to all the mud. Along by Downhouse where the mud really was muddy. To pop out on Plaster Down. Round the Down and through to Shorts as the gentle mist turned slightly damper. Following the ancient trackway took us back by Middlemoor and the cars. On to the Whitty which was very quiet.

TWW 7th January 2020

Not too bad at all to step out from Dartmeet; mild, windless and dry(ish). With the breeze and weather forecast to come from the sou'west widdershins seemed the best bet. Uppety up on the track to the Coffin Stone where the markings seem rather faint. Onward to cross the road and up to Yar to follow the spiral, Down to the Money Pit for various theories of its derivation. Cave Penny loomed from the mist and provided a nice marker to take the track up to Corndon. By now the breeze had come in so shelter was found for a cuppa. Out along by the huge cairns to find Cathanger Rock - did a wild cat once rest here? Whatever, the fine gnarled hawthorn is hanging on. Down and down to seek the road and round by Sherwell and Rogue's Roost to a Walla Brook. The muddy track took us down to the West Dart where the stepping stones looked well crossable. But no, steadily down by the beautiful river back to the cars. By now mist, rain and wind had arrived in some force so a good time to head to the Prince of Wales for lunch.