TWW 30th June 2020

10 years ago a walk on the Moor with some of the old faces. Two years ago a walk in the beautiful mountains of Georgia with a few of those old faces. This year a walk on the Wildside.

Well, more of a walk of wonder through banks of colour, sounds and smell. A feast for the senses. How blessed am I to still be able to walk at such a venerable age and have lovely people to do it with!

You had to be there, in fact you can. Wildside is open again on the 11th of July. The agapanthus will be fully out with the angels fishing rods.

Stella

WW 24th June 2020

Up and down and up and down. Not really a Wednesday walk, too far to drive and a bit long. The coast path around Crackington Haven is certainly some of the toughest of the SWCP. The surfers were out sat on their boards waiting for that perfect wave which certainly wasn’t going to appear in those calm conditions. Glorious weather but no swim, someone has nicked most of the sand from the north coast. The bell heather is all out giving some added interest to the steep climbs. A pleasant return through some shaded woods with only a short section of road. The best bit though was we got a pint at the end and then an ice cream, first of both since lockdown, things must be returning to normal. One for a future Tuesday.
Mike

TWW 23rd June 2020

A few intrepid, but socially distancing souls met at Postbridge to try the many times abandoned ‘Peat Restoration works’ walk.  I think this was about the 5^th attempt!  We set off on a lovely sunny and warm day with a pleasant cooling breeze after first admiring the now completed – externally – Visitor Centre extension.  Down the drift lane and out on to the open Moor, over Braddon lake.  Then a continuous up over Broad Down.  It seems a fairly gentle slope but, my, it does go on, and on and on!!!!! 

We knew we were approaching Flat Tor Pan due to the squelch.  A cuppa was taken whilst sitting, socially distanced, on some dryish hummocks around the recently created pools and damns with a fine view over the blanket bog.  Our leader attempted to impart some interesting (?) facts about peat, peat restoration, carbon capture, water retention etc until reminded that we hadn’t signed up for home schooling for a reason!!

Off then round the far side of the Pan to view the fenced off monitoring stations and probably right past where the Sea Vixen crashed in 1961 (or was it 1965?) which had been mentioned but as no one could remember exactly where it was we didn’t look!

On, via Sandy Hole pass, to the Waterfall for a picnic – for those who had thought to bring one – and a dig into the iron rations in the bottom of the rucksack for others (note to self – remember next time to bring lunch if the pubs are still not open).  Then back across the Down to the cars – and a quick peek into the refurbished centre and an encouraging word to the builders who are in the process of refurbishing the toilets.

I think we all concluded that the restoration of the peat bog was working very well, feet wet all round, and it may be an area to avoid in future!

It was lovely to meet up with some not seen for a while, especially Misty, who seemed very happy to see us and obviously hasn’t taken onboard the 2m rule!.  Hopefully we will all be able to get together again soon.

WW 17th June 2020

What a difference a few hours make!!

After a day of torrential rain, lightning, thunder and flooding in Tavistock Brenda and I set off from Lowery Cross in glorious sunshine to enjoy a lovely eve walk up through Peekhill Plantation to Peek Hill to enjoy the magnificent views of Burrator Reservoir, looking very low despite all the precipitation of late. On to Sharpitor then down to cross the road at Leeden Tor car park, down the track to join the disused railway line for an easy stroll Westwards, over the ‘new’ bridge crossing the road and back to the cars. A delightful warm eve with plenty of new calves playing, rabbits and wheatears a plenty, even two of the latter in a hole in a wall, nesting?? On a cheery note that was the last of the long evenings for 2020, 1 min less daylight next Wednesday!!

Terry

TWW 16th June 2020

This is the walk I was intending to do, but want you all to be able to come, so it will be done at some point.
Beer Alston village hall car park was quieter than normal. Off down the tarmac road to Lockridge Farm with great views over the valley below and glimpses of the Tamar. Thunder rumbling from dark clouds over Cornwall. It's cherry time in the Tamar valley and I have never seen so many as this year. ( Thoughts of a sour cherry sauce with a nice piece of venison). Following the river through woods with elegant oaks allowing occasional glimpses of the water. On past Ward Mine with a brief stop to watch a tree creeper doing its thing on a huge ash tree. The embankment opposite Calstock gives a very different view of the village. Then its back into wonderful mixed woodland to the lovely cottages near Tuckermarsh quay - and there he was in one of the gardens, big enough to eat a whole cabbage in one mouthful. Up to Tuckermarsh the cars and no pub!
Mike

WW 10th June 2020

Yes indeed
the mighty Redwood
always reminds
me of that song
and the
lumberjacks and jills
have been out
in the woods
so on a cool evening
after a nice tea
out and up
and up and up
where there used to be trails
to forge a way through
as the gentle drizzle
turned to gentle rain
as we all got
gently wet, wet
to wend our way up
and out to the canal
and on to the rock
down, down
and back
for a nice Stella with Stella
and a warm
as Mike fired up
his Chiminea
luckily the rain
stopped the parasol
from burning
the best of a damp evening
more sun to come
allegedly.

TWW 9th June 2020

I suppose it was like the first day at school except there isn't any school for most. Or being let out of jail for some!!

Three walkers, three cars, and distancing to be observed. We were in no hurry and sauntered along the little lane through Lambside and joined the long dry earthy track to Henna Mill. The lovely little stream could be glimpsed under archways of hazel, briar roses and honeysuckle. Curious cows and mellow sheep noted our presence. What a treat. Yellow iris and meadow sweet. 

We turned south to Battisborough Cross and eventually by road to Mothecombe where to our delight the School House was selling coffees, ice cream and we could have had fish and chips or even a tuna sandwich. No queue. Coffee and ice cream consumed  we joined the coast path west, along the little beach (no crowds).

A very nice man must have known we were coming because he had trimmed the path clear for us and we thanked him. Cries of oystercatchers met our ears and we gazed our fill of the blue sea. We lunched at Bugle Hole and were treated to the sight of an enormous seal looking this way and that ....was it our lunches he could detect?

A beautiful afternoon along the coast with very few people. We passed St Anchorite's rock and the afternoon's interest turned to insects, bees and butterflies on the sheltered bramble flowers and dozens of ladybirds feasting on blackfly which were enjoying the handsome thistles.

A lovely day out and perhaps to be repeated.

Anne

WW 3rd June 2020

A glorious sunny day to enjoy the first walk with more than one other.

Four of us set of from Combstone Tor. Up to Horns Cross, up past the stones, over Horn Ridge and then more up to Ryders Hill to pose by Petre’s Bound Stone observing the 2 metre distance, except those from the same household! By now the heat was really on as we descended to find the 2 well concealed Bound Rocks in Wellaby Gulf, on into the large girt, where we found a skylarks nest with 4 eggs, leading down to Dry Lake, which unusually lived up to its name!! Really hot now as we followed the O Brook to find a cool, shady spot for late elevensies. On to cross the road at Saddle Bridge, after a quick cursory unsuccessful search for a C stone! On to the picnic spot at Week Ford and a dip, well one of us did and I made do with a cooling paddle. Feeling somewhat refreshed we investigated the Beara House blowing house hoping to see the wonderful orchids I had seen in previous years but was disappointed to find only 3 or 4 tiny ones, maybe too early! Up again, really stifling hot now, back to the RV.

A lovely but hot, tiring walk.

TGB

TWW 2nd June 2020

A longer walk today from Belstone. Through the village to take the track out to Nine Stones. On past Winter Tor with fabulous views across to Yes Tor. Into the range area - it's a good job they weren't firing today (!!) eventually arriving at Oke Tor for a coffee stop. Down to the military road to follow that over Okement Hill and on to Ockerton Court.  Unusually there was no water here today with the absence of rain for the last 3 months. It is just one kilometre from here to Cranmere Pool. This is a featureless part of Dartmoor and it is always a bit wet under foot even in these time of drought. A good place to stop for lunch. From here we headed just south of Taw Head to then turn north and find the Ted Hughes Memorial Stone. Easy to find when you know where it is and quite a bit more difficult if you don't. Then north to pick up the military road which leads down to Knack Ford and past Steeperton Gorge. Going down here below Oke Tor, gently at first and then a bit steeper to the edge of Taw Marsh and on to the track. Irishman's Wall on the left and back to the start. Twelve miles and glorious weather.

Do hope to see you all soon for a real walk!

Michael