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