'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 14th Century.
Refreshed we headed down past the now treeless stone cross to have a quick look at the beautiful current, 17th 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