WW 26th May 2021

 

YOU really did have to be there! Who said that then? what a wonderful evening to be out walking, it really was.

Just two of us set out along the track passing to the left of the first bridge, past Meavy Head, crossing the main road to follow ye olde rifle range and target (must have had better eyesight than me) Up to lovely Hart Tor to admire the wonderful all round views, down past the double stone row to leap falls. Looking back towards the tor two helicopters passed behind it, never to be heard or seen again. Magic!

On to the wonderful aqueduct. We climbed up whilst the water raced down to look for the Indian head that is no more. Magic!

On, on across Raddick hill to the crazy well pool. We felt sure we could hear the sounds of wild water swimmers but it was quiet, still and a little foreboding. Magic!

On past restored crosses X two, why two so close to each other?

Finding the roughest track possible, very uncomfortable, finally reaching Older Bridge and then Ivybridge Lane, boring maybe but easier on the feet, we passed the mystical South Hess. It certainly produced, oh yes! Looking behind us Mars was rising over the horizon. Silly me, it was the Flower Moon. That really was magic!!

Nearly to the gate and home, more magic, flares over Willsworthy way, slowly falling and when their job was done leaving a faint trail in the fading light. Magic indeed!

Brenda

TWW 25th May 2021

 

Well, what a start to the day! Set off in plenty of time to the station, the plan being to arrive 15 minutes before departure at 9.36, but a low loader driver carrying a motor launch had other ideas. Although the road from Callington to Liskeard is classified as an A road it’s certainly not suitable for such transport. We eventually arrived just in time to grab the rucksacks, etc and board the train, to then fight with the parking app to ensure we were legally parked.

Anne was already on board and so it was off to Causland halt , one of the request stops on the line. From there it was up hill from the valley of the East Looe River into Duloe. The roadside verge is still adorned by wild flowers including one that none of us knew. It was then time to explore the delights of Duloe. Unfortunately the pub was closed so no chance of an early coffee stop, there is the old horse trough manufactured in Glasgow and installed in the village in the first decade of the 20th century and then it was on to the Stone Circle hidden away up a short track behind a house on the outskirts of the village. We then visited the church with its list of Vicars/Rectors starting in the 1200’s, and its slate memorial stones and coffins.

Departing the village we passed the children at play and descended into the valley of the West Looe River. There was plenty of water running not only in the river and inevitably this May the rain duly arrived to add to it. We then walked along the left bank, through mud, but plenty of bluebells still in flower, passed a derelict building before emerging onto the road from Duloe to Pelynt to cross the river to continue our walk on the right bank. Passing the campsite there was one brave camper in residence and then lunch was taken at the small wharf at Kilminorth Cottages, where they can sleep eight if you want a quiet hideaway for a week!

It was then time to follow the trail through Kilminorth Woods above the tidal part of the river. There was plenty of mud but fortunately on such a day only the three of us taking advantage of the scenery, that included nesting Egrets  high up in one of the trees on the far bank. We entered Looe at Millpool where the two rivers converge and with time to spare before the return train stopped off for tea and coffee in a local cafe.

Peter M

WW 19th May 2021

 

And it all looked so promising; geese in bed; full lights on outside and in; so round we went (one way or another); the car park was rammed with reet posh cars; so masks on in we went; looking forward to our first pint ever, ever, ever; folk sitting in the Chesterfields; all pleasantly busy; and we have always been welcome; so to the bar, beer - pumps resplendent, only to be told they are not open for "casual drinkers"; casual drinkers, Casual Drinkers, CASUAL DRINKERS; us casual drinkers?; good grief just what is going on?; all that guff about getting back to normal; easing; ready to welcome us back; and then to be called Casual Drinkers; well that's it; no more; never, ever, ever going in the Two Bridges ever, ever again; the cheek of it!

After a nice goosy welcome. A most pleasant round of Wistman's studying most every tree and reinterpreting the inscription. Steadily up to Longaford in the lovely evening light for a cuppa. Along, along by Little Bee and Littaford over the stile and gently down to Crockern. Even the mud seemed to be having a rest day. Lots of nice light to get us back to the cars and the promise of a lovely cooling pint and perhaps even a packet of those firecracker lobster ...

TWW 18th May 2021

 

A really special walk as Jon and Luna saw us off before crabbing, and TERRY DID THE WHOLE WALK for the first time!!

Nine of us intrepid walkers set off from Bere Ferrers in drizzle. We passed the old well and the church (beautiful on the inside, not as attractive outside) on our way up to the station, under the railway bridge to the muddy fields. By the time we reached Weir Quay, the sun was out and we had coffee by the quay (and the hideous new building…). We continued through Hanging Woods, across the width of the peninsula and down through the woods, where we stopped for lunch amongst the bluebells (and Terry and Liz managed to fall off their perch). Then on to the Tavy and back to the pub at Bere Ferrers, sadly closed until the next day!

It was a nine mile walk approximately and Terry never stopped walking, talking and joking- what a hero!

Liz

WW 12th May 2021

Turned out nice again.
Great to be back out again on a Wednesday evening. The geese were certainly very happy at Merrivale as the water squirted up from the grids. Out along to Longash Farm and gently up to the marvellous Hucken Tor. Over the tall stile to the tramway and round. By those corbels where the ponies certainly knew which way to point their bums. Round by Swell and out along to the bewildering Foggintor. Somewhat better this time and a nice set of stones for a cuppa. Gracefully out by the ever increasing signs and on to Yellowmeade. Now it certainly looked like there were folk staying in the old barn - and there it is on Airbnb - who'd have thought it? To Red Cottages where the fallen tree never ceases to amaze and by Four Winds where the cattle massed. The full antiquities and tumbly down and back to the cars. And we didn't use our torches - didn't say we didn't need our torches.

TWW 11th May 2021

From Postbridge car park, we set off on a grey and blustery day, crossing the East Dart by means of the clapper bridge, then across the road and into the meadow.  Through the “bamboo gate” by Hartyland, and on towards Hartland tor.  One brave soul investigated the lowland route beside the river, while the rest opted to ascend the tor, before dropping down to the William Donaghy Memorial.  The mystery of WD recounted, we continued in a northerly heading, passing above the beehive hut, stopping for a brew on the slopes of White Ridge.  Onwards to Grey Wethers, and a debate as to how many stones there should be in each circle.  A sharp climb soon saw us on Sittaford Tor, with its impressive views of the surrounding moor.  Heading southwest, we investigated the Sittaford recumbent Stone Circle, before continuing to Statts House.  With the skies looking increasingly threatening, we opted for early lunch with the ruins providing some protection from the wind.  A good decision, for as we prepared to leave, the rain began.  We headed down hill by way of Mr Philpott’s peat pass, before heading south-eastwards above Broad Marsh to Sandy Hole Pass.  Along the river to the waterfall.  After an uneventful river crossing, we were soon on a familiar route crossing Braddon Lake and down the drove lane back to the car park.

Phil

 

TWW 4th May 2021

 

Started off at Lydford High Down, cool, windy but dry. We headed through Lydford to Fernworthy Down via West Devon Way. Lunch was in a sheltered spot beneath the towering bulk of Lake viaduct. The sun shone & we could feel the heat from the sun & the promise of warmer days to come. A steep hill took us to Coomb Down where we saw a distant figure dressed in red. It was Terry, coming to join us for his first group outing since surgery! The start of things to come & great to see him looking so well. We all continued along King Wall where we found  the Royal Cross. We battled the wind to Noddern gate with views all around before returning to the cars. A dry walk!

Colin & Amber