WW 29th July 2020

An exceptional sighting indeed, soaring overhead as we sat outside the pub with a nice pint - lovely.
A fine, warm evening to set out from Morwellham where the campers are settling in. To follow the windy track up through the trees and gently down to the recently mown New Quay. Some really lovely doer upperers here. All pleased to have selected long trousers for the brambly battle onward to the arsenic tips - perfect place for a nice cuppa in the evening sun. Through so, so many remains of the mining and up to the bendy chimney. Plenty of light still to wend our way down through the woods to the railway station. Along the lines and back. To the Ship Inn for the first proper pint for months for someone. And, bang on time, over it soared, a great sighting on quite a light evening. 
Such a lovely spot, no wonder the campers are enjoying it - not sure we would have camped with our kids right next to the Tamar.

TWW 28th July 2020

Starting from a deserted car park beside the river at Cadover Bridge under a slowly clearing sky; we took the footpath into North Wood for an easy walk alongside the River Plym, following the clay slurry pipeline to Shaugh Bridge.  The sun shining through the trees and the sound of the river - a perfect combination to load the senses and provide a much needed distraction from the ever present topic of the year!

The settlement tanks and drying kilns have been cleared of undergrowth and were visible as we dropped down to the car park at Shaugh Bridge and followed the River Meavy towards a deserted Dewerstone Cottage.

Continuing along the path we came to the road which took us uphill through Goodameavy and then on to Urgles Cross, before we headed off onto Wigford Down where lunch and the panoramic views were enjoyed.  We arrived back at the car park to a very different scene from the one we had left.  Dozens of cars and an ice cream van!

Bill

WW 22nd July 2020

Five of us left Postbridge Car park in anticipation of seeing the comet Neowise and nightjars on a pleasant warm evening. Across the road to pick up the footpath by the well manicured playing field and up the rough steps onto the open moor and a nice wide track to Bellever. Through the car park where we could see many groups of campers enjoying the warm summer evening on the south side of the East Dart river. We followed the track to Laughter Hole farm past the lovely hay meadows waiting to be cut. Through the farm, and all remarked how sorry it was to see it so run down and in such a sorry state. Once past the farm we picked up the forest track and zig zagged the tracks and fire breaks for 30 mins to come out onto the open moor 800 metres from Laughter Hole farm!! We had a good view of 2 hinds with their fawns on the way. Time for a cuppa, but it was in the shade and the sun was out on Laughter Tor so off we went, but of course when we arrived the clouds had hidden the sun, so on with the jumpers for a  cuppa, or can of cider, as we watched a glorious sunset beyond Bellever Tor. While on the Tor excited shouts of “there’s the comet” and much pointing but it was decided it was a plane vapour trail! As we left Laughter Tor more shouts of “there’s the comet”, binoculars came out and much scanning to the NW with shouts of “that’s definitely the comet”, but another vapour trail was the conclusion!! On to ascend the S face of Bellever Tor in increasing darkness hoping for a comet sighting to be met by a group camping on the side of the Tor who had never been there before but were enthralled by it!! By now it was dark enough to see the comet, but it was just too overcast so off to descend the N face with the anticipation of seeing the nightjars. We heard more than we had heard before but only had a couple of brief sightings as we made our way to the cars through the forest passing a young couple walking towards us who flashed the brightest torch at us as they thought we were deer on the track!!

A longer walk, 6.22 miles, and a later finish than usual,2230, but a thoroughly enjoyable evening to be out on the moor.

Terry

TWW 21st July 2020

Well, there was a hole in the programme and a request for a volunteer went out, now we are at last able to walk ‘socially distanced’ together again.  Never volunteer for anything, but we did.

So we arranged to meet at Postbridge – car park somehow looks larger now that the extension on the Visitor Centre is complete and as it is still free (although one decided to not risk that  and joined from across the road).  We set off down the road and across the lovely bridge, then via Lydgate to Pizwell.  The warning had been given that this walked was un-recced however this first part was Plan B for a walk in February which eventually, due to excessive wetness, become walk Plan C.

On then to Ephraim’s Pinch (because someone was collecting D365 squares!) then backtracking slightly and on to ‘virgin’ territory (although there was discussion about whether some qualified for this due to an earlier incident with removal of bits of clothing – don’t ask!!). Across Cator Common and up for a cuppa stop under some welcome shade.  A short hop along the lane to ‘New walls for Old’ (another D365 square!).

A bit of down and then up to the top of Riddon Ridge for lunch.  Was a bit hot out in the sun but wonderful views all round and a pleasant time was spent spotting and naming tors.  On and down and over Bellever bridge, lovely to see children playing in the river but not so nice to see the ‘tent city’ further down the bank. Then discovered the ‘new’ Devon Wildlife Trust hay meadow which made a pleasant walk through avoiding the road.  On the last stretch now back to base, on the way helping a couple of lost souls looking for a nice short, easy walk to Grey Wethers. Much advice given.

Despite being un-recced no machetes were needed and it is firmly established that several of us have developed a stone fetish!!

Jane

WW 15th July 2020

A super evening to set out from Lane End - sunshine, clouds, warm with just the hint of a breeze. Nice and steadily up to Ger Tor and then round and on to the promise of Tavy Cleave Tor, where the views over Amicombe to Fur Tor were fantastic. Of course we diligently followed the track to find the cairn which looked like a cairn and cist. Up, up to Hare as the clouds battled with the blue sky and the breeze picked up. Still sunshine to the south of us but Fur Tor was gently cloaked in the lowering mist. Down, down to find shelter for a nice cuppa then onward by the big cairn to Sharp where the mist rolled in. A goodly trod was soon found to take us to the main track by White Hill. Then the lumpy bit. Clambering through and back the kind fence brought us to the leat in better order than expected. And the main track took us back to the farm and the cars by 10 p.m.
Rather a fine Wednesday walk - Thanks Terry. 

TWW 14th July 2020

Today our walk was real. The write up of the virtual walk is on our blog spot April 7th and features links and information relevant to today's walk.

Today we started from Zoar and walked back towards Horndon. We looped into the Zoar Chapel yard drawn in by the amazing quantity of betony. A sea of purple amongst dewstrewn Yorkshire Fog Grass. The chapel built 1904 may be converted to a holiday let.

Sharp left at Horndon we joined the path towards Horndon clambridge before climbing the stile on to the leatpath and Creason Woods. Plenty of real fish!!

At Hillbridge we took the footpath over the fields then stile and road to Brousentor Farm and down into Baggator valley. Avoiding Coffin Wood we stayed on the permissive path past the WD 31 stone and the very ancient beech and sycamore trees.  Soon we came to the clam over the Tavy at Standon Steps. We checked A.K's 60 year old photo of the local little girl next to the 1946 POW stone and a quick hunt ensued to find the concrete plaque on the bridge's plinth. This plaque can only be seen once you have crossed the river east to west. 

Access is possible if you have big boots and long legs hence the lovely closeup photo. 

Very exciting and interesting.

Lunchtime followed in field with views back towards Baggator but peaceful reflection was quickly disturbed by a cry of "Look..a cougar !!" We all jumped up to see over the wall. A distant large pale gold creature with a big tail wove, slunk and trotted through the rushes bordering the bank. A flock of sheep in the field of direction gathered together in alarm and as the long longtailed creature neared them they rushed to the opposite corner of field. As it entered their field they stared rigid with horror before charging towards it en masse.  It disappeared from our sight but the sheep continued to stand with a very discomforted air about them.

All very exciting and no cameras or binoculars ! Sometimes you just have to be there !

We joined the Lichway towards Willsworthy and on to Hillbridge and along the bridle path by Chilly Wood back to the cars at Zoar. A very enjoyable 6 miles.

Anne

WW 8th July 2009

On a sunny summer’s evening, my love and I did see:
10 Commandments carving
9 foals a-prancing
8 trees a-standing
7 Wednesday walkers
6 flasks of coffee
5 pee stops
4 bags of crisps
(3 different sorts)
2 golden pints
And a full moon to guide us all home

TWW 7th July 2020

Off we went from the Scout Hut in almost perfect conditions for walking – clear, with cloud interspersed with sunshine and enough breeze to cool. Over Gutter Tor and the adjacent trig point and down to Ditsworthy Warren House - of ‘Warhorse’ fame - we went. A remarkable chance encounter with a young Australian a couple of years ago, whose ancestor had farmed rabbits here in the distant past, had led to two of our number acquiring a wealth of detail relating to life here at that time. So we now learned where and how skinning knives were sharpened and even found the grill behind which the working ferrets lurked, awaiting duty. On then, past the impressive stone row bounded by a menhir at each end.  We paused to examine an inscription on one, reputedly in Chinese and denoting the name of a street in Hong Kong. Was somebody having me on? A quick cuppa at Higher Hartor then up to Eylesbarrow via the extensive tin mine ruins, before beginning the descent to the settlements below Combeshead Tor. Here we sat by hut circles and had a picnic, while, at five minute intervals, greeting individual Royal Marines under training or assessment making their way somewhat less leisurely than us to their next checkpoint.  Full marks to them for their cheeriness as they passed!  Then back to the Scout Hut – though no longer shown as such on the on-line OS map. The usual post-walk pub visit has yet to happen for some of us, nevertheless it was a well spent day.

Peter C

WW 1st July 2020

Please sing these words to Gershwin's Summertime, Porgy and Bess 

Summertime and the livin is wet 

The mist is thick and the way is winding

The wind is gale force and I don't know where to go

So hush little Misty, don't you cry 

Summertime and the going is tough

Grass is wet and the views have all gone

So off to the pub where the beer has gone off

So hush little Misty, don't you cry

Summertime...............! 

Brenda