It's raining, it's pouring but the old man was missing. Shapley CP was not a hospitable place to be.
Nonetheless, being strong, determined out in all weather's couple of walkers, up through Shapley Common passing remarkable hut circles with what looked like spaghetti farfalle scattered around them. Those ancient brits knew a thing too!! Even made their own spaghetti!!!
Onto Shapley Tor and then Hookney Tor when the low cloud opened up for a brief nanosecond to reveal the Headland Warren Farm below and the path leading to the aptly named Grimspound (today at least).
Turning sharply eastwards trying to find the path that leads to Heather combe across Hameldown, so many paths to choose from, the poles erected to stop wartime aircraft land, standing strong and lonely and somehow defiant.
Trees appeared out of the mist and Heather Combe was in sight. So many trees and rhododendrons taken down, looks very different.
One of the posts of the three fishes depicting the Lord's Prayer was passed. Alas, no bread to go with them!!
Passing pretty cottages on to the Two Moors way, paths seem to have been changed and give a tidy up.
Through various farms with wonderful knarled and hollow trunks to find a soggy bank to eat soggy sandwiches wrapped in limp clingfilm with lukewarm tea. Oh how we know how to live!
On on through massive gateposts and unusual ones too through the timeless farm that never throws anything away including the rubbish but has a beautiful ash house close to it.
Getting closer to 'home' now, finally to Leapra Cross which has been overcome with the Holly and the Ivy, most sad but appropriate at this time year I suppose.
Back to the cars, muddied but happy.
See you all soon
Brenda
