WW 30th September 2020

 

Well it blew and rained all day not an auspicious sign for our trip out to Rilla Mill on the edge of Bodmin Moor, but low and behold it calmed down and apart from a short sharp shower on our way to the RV the evening was dry and the wind had died.

From the car park we passed through the first of many gates into woodland above the old mill leat and passed the remnants of old quarries and mines steadily climbing to pass Westcott, probably the home of the original owner of the Westcott Mine, then on our way to the appropriately named Uphill. After a short bit of road we took the track to Colquite Cottage, where it was recommended that access by 4x4 was the only way to get to the cottage, this was however not our destination. By now it was dark so we did not get a clear sighting of the Llamas.

We then descended through Colquite Wood to the bank of the River Lynher, pronounced Liner, to pass the rope suspension bridge, we did of course test it out but it was an out and back crossing as our route continued on the left bank. As we reached the road there was a notice board for the Stara Community Woodland, Colquite being one of three connected woods with trails to walk. Visitors are encouraged to bring gardening gloves and secateurs to help with maintenance as you walk the paths.

Then it was across the County Bridge to follow the right hand bank on the river’s descent into Rilla Mill, unfortunately the mill was demolished in the 1960’s as a hazard to road traffic!

Crossing the road to join the Caradon Trail but not for very long as we turned off the road to climb out of the valley to Sutton, a small hamlet that seems to be occupied by the wealthy, from where we descended again to Plushabridge.

A short climb up the road and left to cross the fields where again we had a perfect sighting of the Space Station, then it was time to climb to the bench situated to get views across the valley towards Caradon Mast. Finally we walked through the Dog Training assault course, where we were urged not to play, into the village past the pub to pick up the path to Westcott which took us back to the cars. We had passed through 12 gates, climbed 13 stiles and crossed 5 bridges + one for fun, and everyone was unique.

A daytime walk in the woodland with ice and snow looks like a must for the New Year.

Peter

TWW 29th September 2020

 

Where was our man with machete? Not with us that's for sure, when we struggled through shoulder height bracken following the winding Wallabrook to the north west corner of Soussons.

There, right on the wall corner was a puzzling boundary stone, a new piece of granite with 2000 on it. Not shown on any maps, no info anywhere. Too modern apparently, replacing an older stone in the old wall showing the boundaries between the parishes of North Bovey and Widdecombe where they meet the official boundary of Dartmoor Forest.

Scrambling over the wall and barbed wire for a living statues photo shoot, impressive! And following easy paths lined with colourful fly agarics, we skirted past poor Ephraim avoiding the Pinch point per the government's guidelines until reaching Soussons Farm which appears to be a holiday home.

Through the boggy ford, up the field, through the gates onto the lands of the wonderful Challacombe Farm. Here the magic begins. Lazy troll still sleeps. The pixies have started to rebuild their empire. The Iceland and Shetland sheep are very prettily dainty and then, the one and only Piggy who loves someone to give her a good scratch.

Onwards again the mass of Hameldown on our right, onto Headland Warren Farm, looking very chocolate box, and their fields of alpacas. Before the WW11 this place was a pub:-

Jan Roberts lives here

Sells cider and beer

Your hearts for to cheer

And if you want meat

To make up a treat

Here be rabbits to eat

After that, selling cream teas before reverting back to a farm. A good place for a spot socially distanced lunch before trudging up to a busy Birch Tor. Lovely views towards the Warren House and our parked cars and the men in high viz with their speed traps or were they checking the social distancing?

Brenda

WW 23rd September 2020

 

Well those crane flies were certainly going at it hammer and tongs. Mind you if you never eat and only live for a week I guess you have to get on with things. As for us ...

We waved goodbye to the golfers as they packed it in for the day and set off down the first hole. Round Yeoland Consols Mine which was worked from around 1600 until it closed in 1892. Across the down and along to seek what we had all been promised. We searched and searched but no sign at all, perhaps it has been just a bit too dry - worth another look later. And on to pause as the clouds rolled in but our ever reliable spotter saw it just peeping through a gap in the clouds. The light gently faded as we headed uphill to the Iron Age hill fort. And there heaps of fly agarics providing a sumptuous feast for all sorts of creepy crawlies especially the crane flies who deemed it the perfect spot to mate. Over to the trig point and on to cross the busy, busy A386. Turning the corner a fine track was found and at last some stones to sit on for a nice cuppa. By now all the stars that can be had popped out and a quick check was made that the Pole Star was in its correct location. Wibbly to the golf course where we manged to complete another five holes. (What truly amazing grass, indeed we wondered if it actually could be real grass.) And then, there it was again soaring overhead for a perfect siting. To think we had walked all of 5km while they had been right round the world. Over the road and back for a quick trip to the 'A' stone. It was commented that it might be the flattest walk ever. So there's a challenge; who can do a walk with less than 74m of ascent and descent?

TWW 22nd September 2020

A nice early start in the undecided mist.

Down through the fields to Buckland and steeper down to reach  the Tavy and it's tales.

Past the weir for a nice spot for coffee and to see a big fish jump in the still water. And two ladies swimming. "Alright once you get in !!" they shouted.

Hatch Mill next. 1861 said the date stone. An undershot wheel , a leat , a host of ivy covered machines and a floriferous compost heap kept us occupied. 

Then the long trudge up. Past where Bertha bridge stood 'til the 1979 floods and at the top a tangled copse labelled as "Chapel (Site of)" on older maps. 

Lady Bertha mine , obscured by private woodland and the private lane to Balstone , once boasted six buddles !!

Leaving the tarmac the rubbly lane guided us to the southern slopes of Berra Tor and South Bertha mine. At an altitude of 162m it is one of the lowest tors and seldom visited. More interest here was the Iron Age defended settlement with its univallate bank and ditch enclosing an oval field. Cannot find evidence of it being excavated..yet.

Downhill for lunch at the Virtuous Lady Mine and the drizzle. A kingfisher delighted all with a lengthy fly past and grey wagtails and another fish also put in an appearance.

Past Double Waters now and Bucktor. Along the West Devon Way where high bracken disguised the possible sighting of three longhouse sites and nearer the cars a fourth house also eluded.

Some may go back in the winter when the bracken is flatter !

Anne

WW 16th September 2020

 Super sunset, bats, bats, bats and skylarks.

As we left Four Winds the sun was rapidly setting. Just nice time to head over to Over Tor for the full effect. Still plenty of light to go on to Little Mis and Great Mis. A visit to the Pan was a must and then a winding way steadily down to avoid the worse of all the clitter. A truly huge rock provided a nice spot for a cuppa and predictably by the time we had finished our snacks it was time to get the headtorches out. Down, down as the flirties rose in clouds to the ford over the Walkham. Down the bank to seek the blowing house, but we missed it - must pop back and check exactly where it is. By now the flirties were in super abundance and delightfully more bats than any of us could ever recall were soon zooming round us for a feast. It was really wonderful to see so many bats. And then we saw a couple of skylarks resting on the ground - probably overfull tummies from all the flies. Round the enclosed land of Shillapark to drop down to Merrivale where the light shone from the phonebox. Past the now closed Eversfield snack bar where some had popped in for a crafty drink on their way out. (It looks like a very nice spot for some lunch.) Over the old bridge and up to the stone rows, cairns, and cists back to the cars.

A super duper evening to be out on the moor.

TWW 15th September 2020

We set off from Bennett’s Cross carpark with cars double banked to fit in. Our route crossing the road to pick up the Two Moors Way, skirting Hurston Ridge walking towards Chagford Common passing a fine example of a double stone row and standing stone at the end looking on to Fernworthy Forrest and of course views to die for on this warm and humid day. We soon turned off the moors way to drop down to Hurston following a classic stone wall surely built by a Master stone Waller.

Time now for a well-earned tea stop in light cooling rain, however as part of the pre-planning a huge log and picnic bench had been laid on for us – most welcome and not the norm for our walks!

Our path took us now to Jurston and past derelict and spooky farm buildings, part of a 90-acre farm that will soon be for sale at a local auction according to a local and knowledgeable lady who was a neighbour of the property. For someone with very deep pockets the location is in an idyllic spot – some of us were keen to move there. 

Across the farm’s fields we now went towards Lettaford, encountering a poorly sheep with a black bar marking on its back along the way that was unable to stand, help was sought for the sheep and it was also reported to a passing farmer – we hoped for a humane outcome.

Lettaford did not disappoint with its collection of fine granite buildings topped with mature weathered thatch, could be a great location for a period drama – maybe one day.

Heading now for Moorgate, we stopped first on a sloping field for our picnic before setting off for the path below Combe Down that leads to west Coombe Farm, an eclectic mixture of everything that a farm might have to catch the interest of a passing walker.

Through the farmyard to the start of what appears to be a stairway to heaven in the form of an upward never-ending farm track towards the clouds with Shapley Tor to our right, and King Tor way to the left. Once ‘over the top’ we dropped down to cross the Firth Bridge road, still following the Tow Moors Way path on the other side.

Although the moorland heather was well past its peak, for bee’s hard work was still the order of the day. This was clear whilst passing through an avenue of beehives with bees coming and going from the small hive entrances, all hives awaiting collection along our path.

Continuing ever upward past the hives with Birch Tor to our left, we were soon in sight of our Bennett’s Cross carpark and not a bee sting to report and another good walk under our belts!   

Charlie

WW 9th September 2020

Always nice to have a set of objectives and even nicer to achieve them. A surprisingly cool northerly to set off from Pork Hill. To head down to the wheelwright's stone and cottage as the sun started to dip. Swiftly across the mire to catch what was left and enjoy Vixen Tor. Where a spectral figure appeared to be walking across to the tor. To Heckwood to just check on the Devil's Fingers - no sign; be a few more weeks yet. Round Pew and along by the chisel to seek the goldfish. No sign of them but I am sure they are lurking - a nice spot for a cuppa. Along and back along the Grimstone and Sortridge Leat to hunt the bull stones. We found three but there may be more yet to find. We met a photographer at Windy Post who was waiting for the classic picture of the Milky Way above the leaning cross. Certainly all the stars were out as we headed over Barn Hill and the cars. A most pleasant evening to be out and about - and DRY feet!

TWW 8th September 2020

And, yes the forecast was for cloud, just a bit surprised to find that the top of ground was higher up than the bottom of the cloud. All made for a most atmospheric tour of some of the farms and caves at Burrator. Lots and lots to see of the farms that were 'cleared' when the reservoir was built. So round and about we went along all sorts of tracks and trails on a very mild morning. Firstly in and out Narrator Brook to the ford at Combshead for a nice cuppa. Up and over by Hingston stone row where we actually saw some soldiers busy navigating - perfect weather for it. Down to Newleycombe where we were in the mist last Wednesday to the farm for a spot of lunch. Rather too meanderingly round to Crazywell (Classywell?) and on. Through the woods to Keaglesborough mine and cave. A few more folk about by now and then, out of the sky no less, the sun suddenly popped out - MY it was warm! So finally to the cave, farm and fogou at Lethertor and down to the cars. Care taken to leave a few farms and perhaps some more caves for later.

WW 2nd September 2020

There is always a Wednesday walk each autumn when it suddenly seems much darker than the week before, this was it, added to by thick mist and rain. "Proper Dartmoor."

The dictionary describes a gully as a water worn ravine or deep artificial channel and we set of to find some of them on the southern side of Cramber Hill. Goodness those ancient miners certainly did a lot of digging around there. A short stop for coffee by the Older Bridge track then down another gully to the beautiful Newlycombe Lake which seemed rather mysterious and longer than usual in the conditions. Along the leat to Older Bridge and back. Someone said it was 'purgatory' but I rather enjoyed it.

Mike

TWW 1st September 2020

'There be many spikey, prickly things and dragons (possibly or were they velociraptors???) lurking in the undergrowth’ was the warning.  Well ok no actual dragons or even velociraptors , even though someone thoughtfully brought apples to feed to them!  But much prickly stuff and all had sensibly donned full legs.

We set off to skirt round Yar Tor through the first lot of prickly stuff, no Llamas this time, to find the Money pit and the Mill stone.   Then on to the Cave Penny memorial on the Belstone bible stone – and no, we still don’t know why so named.  On up to Corndon Tor and along and down the ridge to a nice disused quarry and grass bank for a cuppa.  The dangerous Christmas trees were still well contained and made no threat.

Down a lovely old drift lane to the built over clapper bridge and then up to Row Tor and the Malim memorials. A short step along the road to the destination of Hutholes, making a restful, quiet oasis amongst the ruins for a sunny lunch stop.  Hutholes is believed to be the original site of Dewdon (Jordan) Manor which was abandoned in the 14^th Century.

Refreshed we headed down past the now treeless stone cross to have a quick look at the beautiful current, 17^th Century, Jordan Manor house.  Past the Mill, which was first recorded in 1288 and skirting round to the bridge again.  Then up the hill to another deserted long house, Dinna Clerks.  This involved more prickly stuff, bracken bashing and some imagination to see the remains.  This one was abandoned c.1300 after a fire.  The turf roof collapsed and buried some treasures to await excavation in 1960’s/70’s.

Last stretch now contouring round Corndon and you guessed it, more prickly stuff.  Some took a ‘short cut’ back to the cars that turned out not to be so short.  The rest passed Ollsbrim cross and took a quick look at a very large hut circle before a welcome return to the cars with at least one very tired dog.  (Though a couple of us did venture down to the Eastern Coombe long house ruins because of the ‘sheep stealing proclivities').

Jane