WW 28th October 2020

Goodness me! Now that was dark - dark, dark, dark. Out from the Dam, where the hydro softly hums, and round and round, right round. With the windy water and the ducks disturbed. Over the dam and round by the other one. Somewhat muddily by Longstone where the fisherfolk aren't. The level just low enough to keep inside the road. To a busy Norsworthy where the red fluorescent people had gathered. And back to the muddy trail, along along by all the signs (just so, so many signs - SWW just love their signs) to the pipe and back. It only rained once - when back at the car. A fine evening to be out and about - total ascent and descent 69m apparently.

TWW 27th October 2020

A horrible forecast..wet and gusty ..wind

..mists hugging Staddon heights..better keep backs to the wind ! Well within minutes of setting off there were brighter cracks in the sky as we headed towards Jennicliff and on around Staddon Fort.

Lovely green views towards Bovisand as we turned north towards Radford Woods and a coffee break at the log circle.

We reached the shores of Radford Lake and roamed the follies at St Keverne's Quay with historical connections to Drake , Raleigh , Howard and Hawkins  and their celebrations at Radford House following Armada conquests in 1588.

Through the park and on to the Castle and beyond to the resting place of many water craft on the edge of Hooe Lake. On to Turnchapel and amazingly an increasingly sunny sky as we strode on to lunch on the end of Mountbatten Breakwater..New World !! And Terry's very welcome message.

Anne

WW 21st October 2020

 

Flap flappy flap flap, more of that later, but now we walk, we walk, we walk from Pork Hill CP and circumnavigate Cox tor. Its a mighty tor with its own little satellite tor called Little Cox tor. Well I never!! Unfortunately couldn't see it, couldn't see anything at all, all those twinkling light from towns and villages, normally seen, nothing! All due to real dartemoory weather.

When we bumped into higher Godsworthy farm gate we swerved right and up towards Beckamore dip where the dreary dew pond was more than full. On on, straight on with nothing to see until we fell over one of the Duke of Bedford bound stones warning the quarrymen not to take stone from the tor. This particular stone was directly in front of the original rock with the incised circle, one of fourteen on natural rock around Roos Tor

Flap, flappy flap! What is that noise, its getting louder. A few metres further on climbing onto Roos to find a sheltered place for welcome warm drink. There it was again! Flappy flap flap only louder. Clever one amongst us called its the flag, are they firing? No red light was showing. Thank goodness for that. Flap flap.

Thirst quenched, on across the saddle to the wonderful Staple tor originally called Steeple tor. On down to Middle Staple and finally a lovely green path led us down to little Staple ahhhh so sweet! It meant the cars were in sight and the rain stopped.

Happy flappy flap

Brenda

TWW 20th October 2020

 

The weather was good, dry and clear for walking with much blustery wind that an average politician would envy!

A steep climb up the girt across the road, put us on the path to Hurston Ridge with Chagford Common to our left and to our right, the distant evergreen trees of Fernworthy Forrest. Taking a slight detour off our Hurston path we visited to the first of two double stone rows that we would see on this walk, two of 71 to be found on Dartmoor, the best place in the UK for such rows of course! This one was in good condition, with its standing stone having been ‘made good’ back in 1894 guarding the top end of the row.

Once clear of this open moorland we proceeded to our designated ‘coffee/tea stop’ adjacent to the waters of Fernworthy reservoir where I had specially arranged for benches to be put for our comfort whilst having our drinks and to imagine what it would be like to be out on the windblown and very choppy water surface!

Our circular path around the water’s edge took us past the sloping wall of the reservoir’s dam that was foaming white from the agitated water flowing down its granite face before disappearing in a small stream below, this overflow water never reaching Torbay to be used by one and all for drinking and other purposes.

Leaving the sight of the water’s edge our route took us along the reservoir road to the point where we entered Fernworthy Forrest and up a long gentle gravel slope towards Assycombe Hill and our second double stone row and the place where we would stop for our picnic. This stone row is one of the steepest on Dartmoor and is in a wonderful location, surrounded by a wide stretch of cut grass and tall trees, a great place to stop to enjoy the location, even though the wind through the trees provided a constant roar.

Picnics finished we soon left the forest for gorgeous open moorland, sunny, windswept and stunning distant views as we wind buffeted our way along the narrow path back and down to our start point, skirting Water Hill and Kings Oven along the way with an eventual slight sniff of open fire woodsmoke drifting in the wind from the Warren House Inn confirming we had made it back safely.

Charlie

WW 14th October 2020

 

It wasn't a squeeze to get in the car park, it was completely impossible it was rammed with vans, crew cabs, cars and a goodly number of camouflaged members of the military with more turning up all the time.

So it was head torches on from the start as we set off past the brightly lit scout hut along Edwards path to Eastern tor. The sky was mostly clear and Mars was looking even redder than usual as the stars all started to appear.

Next it was down through lots of antiquities and some rather squidgy bits to the main stone row in giants basin with its two huge standing stones. Up to Higher Hartor Tor for coffee then across to the top end of Evil Combe (much drier than the lower end).

A short traipse through the tussocks to find the track to Eylesbarrow. A bit of a surprise to find a soldier sat in the dark at the track junction, obviously there to check the others weren't short cutting on their yomp.

We followed the pairs of stones which is all that remains of the water powered flat rod system down to the huge wheel pit. It must have been something to behold when it was all working. Then it was a hunt for the PCWW boundary markers. Easy in daylight but more difficult at night particularly when there are soldiers imitating standing stones all over the place.

A wonderful night to be out there. A touch of winter in the air but clear and dry, what more could you wish for?

Mike

TWW 13th October 2020

 
It certainly was black black over Bill's Mother's as we headed north to Sourton. Soon time for waterproofs as the squalls scudded by. Out and up to the ice works and roundily down the corrie (!?) to Shelstone for a nice cuppa near the handle. The long steady plodge took us up to Branscombe's Loaf where the rain rained. Out along aiming towards Gren as it popped in and out of the mist to find the B17 site. It seems as though the wreckage continues to disappear into the peat. Onward to Gren itself as the sky lightened and the optimists were sure, just sure, they could see the silly old sea. The bridge provided a nice sheltered spot for lunch as the sun started to pop out. Squalls still all around but we were in the clear to head to the points and down to Sourton Tor where an orange stick provided some interest. Ziggedly zaggedly down to the lovely church and back to the cars. So, thanks to Michael for booking the sunshine for lunch and the committee for guiding us round.

WW 7th October 2020

 
Well we had hoped for the ISS and the Draconid meter shower, but, the opportunity seemed somewhat thwarted as fog lights were needed to find the car park. Never mind, the plan always was for a fungus foray (more successfully than last time!). Up to Sharpitor and along to Peek Hill admiring the DPA stone as we passed by. Not too steeply down by Lower Lowry barn and roundily by the leat to Cross Gate. And more down to a remarkably quiet Norsworthy Bridge - just where is everybody? Mind you it makes a lovely spot for a cuppa. To the fungus trail which was truly superb. Sulphur Tufts in abundance and possibly Magic - I cannot possibly confirm. A beautiful Fly Agaric gently resting and then the real treat - a set of Russula looking superb. Over the stile and back along the track to Lethertor Bridge and the farm itself. Up to the leat and sneakily through the woods to find the stile and somewhat prickly to the cars. Bang on 2145 - but 'NO' the pubs are shut. Still a lovely evening to be out for a wander.

TWW 6th October 2020

 

It was cloudy but dry as six walkers plus two dogs set out from Long Ash car park.  Down, down, down towards the Magpie viaduct, then a quick up and we were on the Drakes Trail.  There waiting to meet us was a beaming face we have not seen on our walks for many a week.  After exchanging the usual pleasantries, and comparison of haircuts, we were off along the Trail and over Gem Bridge.  Of course, we could not pass by the swing without the boys having a play!  On through the dimly lit and drippy Grenofen tunnel.  A short climb up to the Drakes Café left some hoping for a coffee stop, but the leader had other ideas.  Across the A386 and down the road to Grenofen Bridge.  A quick search failed to locate the “County Stone”, so over the bridge and time to stop for a brew.  Suitably refreshed, we retraced our steps over the bridge, bade farewell to our convalescing friend (who set off for home).  We followed the Walkham down-stream, past the Walkham and Poldice mine to Double Waters, and arrived at the fishermen’s shelter six walkers but only one dog.  While some ate lunch, others hunted for the missing hound.

“Where is Bella, where is Bella

Has she gone to find a fella?

We must find her or we just can’t go!”

With lunch completed, there seemed little option but to continue our walk.  But as we set of to pick up the West Devon Way, Misty started barking at something in the undergrowth.  Then with much relief to her owner, Bella emerged the licking her lips, as if to say “what’s all the fuss about?”.  With lead attached to prevent another disappearance, we made our way steadily uphill past Bucktor and back to Long Ash.

Phil (with apologies to John Betjeman)