TWW 31st March 2020

Well that was a lovely walk, you didn't even have to be there.

Out of the gate of number 10 (not that one) up, up up, to Morwell Rock and Pleasure Rock overlooking the Tamar river way below across to the villages of Gunnislake and St Anne's Chapel in Cornwall. Much bigger than when charabanc loads of Victorians used to come here for um.........Pleasure I guess.

Following the undulating path through Hatch Wood to find a nice spot for coffee in the sun filtering through the trees. Lots of evidence of old mine shafts and workings to meet up with the old The Mineral Railway over the road and under the A390, eventually to the start of the Tamar Trails. Past Wheal Emma and Wheal Josia not meeting a soul until we come to the Great Consuls Mining Complex. Next through Anne Marie Calcuner complex. Very little grows here due to the arsenic waste where men worked with no modern day protective gear just handkerchiefs and cotton wool.

A bench in the sun for lunch when who should happen by but Nig on his bike!

We followed the trail contouring around the hill and eventually down to meet the river and follow Dukes Drive back to  Morwellham.

One to share in the future.

Stella

WW 25th March 2020

It appears there has been a cross overlooking Travellers' Ford for some time. Then it disappeared and then reappeared around 2007 to disappear again. And, then about two years ago it reappeared.
From Holming Beam on what would have been a most perfect evening after a lovely sunset. To follow in the lee and then along the muddy track by the fence. Over the granite blocks set by the military and, carefully keeping height, almost a direct bearing on Conies Down Tor. Quite good going up here, and then gently down to find the huge black boulder - dolerite I guess. Just in nice time to pause and watch a perfect pass of the ISS. There nestling in a crystal recess is the beautiful cross looking down over the Lych Way. Be a bit early for a cuppa so gently down to Broad Hole and to the ford itself from where the boulder really stands out. Now this is a nice sheltered spot for a cuppa. Up the Lych Way, through the wall and a little more up to wonderful Lydford Tor with views afar. With care a nice path can be taken to all the Beardown Tors and then down to the mud. Over the little bridge and back up to the cars. A pint in the Plume would have been really lovely.

TWW 24th March 2020

Starting at the Fox and Hounds RV we headed up the still muddy track to Nodden Gate, our entry point to the upper moorland with our target destination Corn Ridge, the site of a USAF Liberator aircraft crash that happened in March 1941.

Travelling up the track from the Gate we kept Kings Wall to our left and the fledgling Lyd river to our left passing an unusual cross in one of the stones (King's Cross?) in the wall as we made our way up and over Great Nodden (441m) to pick up the track on the other side to the top of Corn Ridge (531m) and onwards to Branscombe Loaf (537m) named after a 13th century Bishop of Exeter who, it is said was tempted to eat a meal offered by the devil on the very spot. The food was knocked from his hand thankfully by his servant, thus saving his life. The petrified meal of the devil still remains as the rock on the site today....so it is said! Anyway, it was a good spot for a warming cuppa on a cold wind blowing day.

From the Loaf we made our way back via the periphery of Tiger marsh spotting another crash site of a B17 that went down on Christmas Day in 1943.

Further down now to follow the Lyd again and to find a sheltered spot for our picnic sat at a suitably acceptable social distance that is required these days. Re-energised we went back to an upper animal track on the northern side of Great Nodden with great views of Woodcock Hill and Little Links Tor to our left as we progressed to Nodden Gate and back to the cars. A walk to do for real in the future!
Charlie

WW 18th March 2020

Wednesday's walk this afternoon with a friend. All precautions taken of course. Walking at the prescribed distance apart. No hugs and the the chill wind blew away any viruses that may have been lurking.  The flowers were uplifting. Unfortunately the low cloud  wasn't so the lovely Sourton Tors were in thick mist. However it was good to be out for a little bit of normality.
Stella

And some words pictures from Peter and Kath up in bonny Scotland ...

Whilst not a local walk, and indeed not on a Tuesday or Wednesday we had to take advantage of the magnificent scenery and good weather to take a walk out on the track from Carrour to Ranch Station.

Our original plan was to do just that, but as we had to pack up at the end of the day and we were having a meal out to mark the end of our Scottish adventure we decided to walk out from the end of the track near ranch station out to the ruins of Carrour Lodge and back. This is a well worn track specifically built for running power from the local Hydro scheme ,which we had visited on Tuesday, out to a relay station which provides power to the Youth Hostel, Carrour Station House, the Tea room and of course the Dunnan Estate. 

It was yet another glorious winter day with 360deg views taking in Glen Coe  range which was snow covered and round to Ben Nevis,etc. Like most of Rannoch Moor the surrounding ground is boggier than Fox Tor Mire on a good day so walking off the track is not a good idea. We saw very few people on our previous walks, and being remote and the start of Social isolating we didn’t expect the day to any different. However, we were passed by a cyclist on a gravel bike who later turned round due to the snow! There were also a couple of young men who had stayed at the Youth Hostel for a few days and were doing another day walk. 

We were able to watch trains crossing the Moor on their way to Fort William and Glasgow, Red Deer all be it in the distance, plenty of rabbits and a Capercaillie but the highlight was definitely the magnificent Mountain scenery.

On reaching the lodge ruins we stopped for lunch in the snow and then returned to the car, meeting 2 solo walkers on our way back. March in Scotland is worth the trip even from Cornwall!

TWW 17th March 2020

Well we wandered lonely as a cloud.  After fighting for parking space in an empty car park with a large tractor and many fertiliser bags, off we set.  Up to the coast and wonderful sea views and breeze! Up and down and again, and around and down to Polruan where we enjoyed a hot chocolate break while watching the passenger ferry coming and going with a few hardy folk – some obviously returning from Fowey with supplies.  Then onwards up the Pont Pil through lovely wooded area where there were daffodils and primroses (yellow, pink and dark pink), stitchwort, periwinkle and violets both blue and white, the odd flowering nettle and solitary clump of flowering wild garlic – lots of evidence of bluebells but none flowering yet Terry!

We crossed the lovely little bridge and admired the lime kilns then on around the headland.  A sheltered bench with a view made a good picnic stop and then on to Bodinnick to watch the car ferry this time.  Up the hill past the ruined chapel, across the field with the curious cows and back to that bridge again.  More up to the amazing church with bowed walls, leaning pillars and warped roof. One final “up” to the car just as the drizzle started then home for a nice cuppa.  We passed a fair few people walking – solitary social distancing.

Jane and Phil

WW 11th March 2020

And, it all seemed to be going
so very, very well
after a nice warm sunny day
a mild evening
with a refreshing breeze
to set our from
The Bearslake Inn
up and up the long ridge
to gain the track
round to the Points
and steadily up
to Branscombe's
neatly down to Sourton Tors
for goodly shelter for a cuppa
by now the wind was gaining
but visibility was still very good
round towards the wall
then a huge squall to soak us
to the Inn
which had stayed open especially for us
how kind.

TWW 10th March 2020

Somewhat windy, wild and misty, although mild, to set out. Up to Sharpitor and along to Peek Hill where the wind was well whistling. Down, down to the railway and round to seek out the plaque - the one about mediocrity. Along a bit and then some shelter for a cuppa. Round, round to Ingra Tor quarry to admire the crane bases. (Just for a moment it looked as though the sun might peep out - but no.) Up the tor and then to the nice track up to Leeden. Into the wind and back to the cars. On to the Walkhampton Inn for a very nice lunch and a catch up with old friends.
Whatever else is happening, and the rain certainly is not stopping for now, it is steadily getting warmer.

WW 4th March 2020

Well we were absolutely, certainly, without doubt promised snow. And if there had been any we would certainly, absolutely, without doubt have seen it.
Out from the quarry on a very, very mild evening with hardly a breath of wind. Along to Crockern Farm and then a super, new section of path for a few yards before the ever reliable splodge. Gently up to the tall stile and along the ridge. Littaford and Longaford steadily emerged from the gloop. Of course a full traverse before dropping down, through the slot to the regular cuppa stop. Along to Higher White and then down by the wall. Eventually the track emerged to guide us round and across to Wistmans. It always seems a very long way back; perhaps with a map you could work out just how far it is? To a very welcoming Two Bridges with possibly the smallest fire in the world.

TWW 3rd March 2020

A beautiful Spring day with blue skies, white clouds and a gentle cooling breeze. To set out from Peat Cot and head down and over and up to Cramber trig point where we could see for miles and miles. All is wet underfoot, but fear not, Spring is here and it will soon dry up. Along the track to the tor then down and over by the sphere which now sports a smiley face and up to Hart.. The cool breeze encouraged a trip to Black Tor Falls for a nice sheltered cuppa. Up the tor and down to the aqueduct. Along, along the leat (no icicles now) to Crazy Well Pool and cross. Down to the main track to Older. Up and over back to the cars. Back to the Prince of Wales where the food soon arrived with lashings of chips - in fact we were all chipped out.
A very nice day to be out on our moor.