TWW 31st August 2021

 

There was hardly any room in the car park due to all the Landmark Trust crew cabs scattered about, all getting ready for the new firing season I presume. Do we really need to pay all these people just to paint a few poles red and white?

So off down to the Cowsic ( funny name for a river that) over the badly rotting Bridge by the leat take off,  then up and over Beardown Tors. On to Lidford Tor for coffee in the lea of the rocks. The path to Beardown Man was more difficult to see than usual due to long grass but thankfully a lot less boggy. Round the head of the Cowsic and back to Conies Down Tor for a spot of lunch. Obligatory visit to Travellers Ford cross then back through Holming Beam Bottom to the cars. A fine walk with lovely clear views.

Mike

TWW 24th August 2021

 

A fresh breeze had some questioning their choice of attire on this autumnal morning but after seeing first "hidden" stones of Burrator..a benchmark ,a PCWW stone with its back to us and the 11th century Meavy parish boundary bank we, a bunch of twelve, quickened our stride southwards along the grassy path. Next sightings were of the "Andy" stone and soon after the last remaining boundary stone for the Yennadon Iron Mine. Beautiful views of a blue Burrator.

Left downhill to the old railway and a very rare triangular water stone by the gatepost.. Into the woods to Devonport leat past a shiny new mast. The edge of the leat edged subtly by granite setts from the horse railway 1823. We returned now along the railway and descended to the bridle track leading to the waterfall .The brave and curious climbed the bank to see the Yelverton Reservoir which hides in plain sight on various O.S. maps. very overgrown and dangerously gloopy.

Now along to the Discovery Centre to see inside or to wander amongst stone artefacts salvaged  from valley farms prior to Burrator's flooding. Many are incorporated into a section of the old Sheepstor Road, "Wembley Walk," 13  items in fact, including inscribed stones and archways from Longstone Manor and Roundy Park Farm dating back to  the 17th century. Collected for safekeeping by George Shillibeer between 1914 and 1937. The Wembley name commemorates a trip for the dam workers to see the British Empire Exhibition at the Wembley Stadium 1924-25..

We followed the shoreline footpath to a sandy bay for our coffee break. Some wished to relax here for the whole day!! No time to pause longer, we trotted on over tinner's spoil heaps, past the weirs and left the path to find firstly the large County stone for Norsworthy Bridge and then around the bends and back on to the shore path to see one of 8 metal PCWW markers  which predate the granite watershed boundary markers. On now to Narrator Farm and the WIFF stone and its incised cross as well as the upturned trough. 

Tummies were rumbling by now so we kept up a good pace via a busy Norsworthy to Leather Tor Bridge. This was the last clapper bridge built on Dartmoor in the 1830s , replacing stepping stones and a ford from Bronze age times. Lunch stop in the sun and  a photocall on the bridge.

The final stones beckoned, Leather Tor potato cave already well known but the fogou remained a brambly secret this time. Up on the Devonport Leat to follow along to the upper track towards Crossgate, stopping to scramble up to the stone cist and cairn. We then continued to follow the Devonport Leat with its distinctive granite lining to the the old Sheepstor Road and above to the disused railway track and Lowery road to the cars.

Over eight miles of hidden stones and there are many more to be revealed 

Anne

WW 18th August 2021

 

A lovely clear evening with a fresh breeze. Just the two of us. Down to the Lyd which was very low so an easy crossing of the stepping stones. Following the valley upstream heading in a direct line for Gren Tor. A surprisingly steep climb up to the peatworks tramway. We made a decision not to visit Gren Tor and Hunt Tor as a pint in the pub at after the walk seemed a better idea so on to Great Links Tor. Looking for a sheltered spot behind a Tor  for a cuppa we disturbed a solitary wild camper. It was then on down to Arms Tor where a lovely guy and his family of four children were out for their first wild camp and loving it!  Back to the Mary Tavy Inn for that welcome pint in a lively atmosphere - what could be better.

Mike

TWW 17th August 2021

 

It didn’t bode well. Thick cloud and strong winds, temperature, 14 degrees according to BBC Weather.

When we got out of the cars it felt more like winter than August but it wasn’t raining and visibility was a lot better than on our last visit. It all turned out rather well in the end.

We set off past the memorial to Charlotte Dymond, the young housemaid murdered in 1844 by her boyfriend. Her ghost, dressed in her Sunday best roams the moors each year on April 14th apparently. Heading south below Rough Tor we explored lots of Neolithic and Bronze Age settlements before heading towards Louden Hill. Here there was a divide of interest with some going to play on the Logan stone and others, lead by Jane searching for and finding a long house or maybe two not even covered in bracken.

After coffee the next objective was a very nice stone circle. Extra Brownie points to Raz who spied it with his little monocular.

All were shushed as we crept along the forbidden track past Rough Tor farm. No barking dogs, no farmer with a twelve bore. We made it safely, Whew!

As we climbed Up, up, up to the many tops of Brown Willy the wind got stronger, some of us finding it difficult to keep vertical for a photo shot at the cairn. It was more like a mountain top in Scotland than a hill in Cornwall but the views were worth it. After lunch down, down, down and up,up,up to the saddle between Showery and Rough. Some went to join the emits on the summit while others had a leisurely stroll back to the car park to meet Rosie with her van for a very nice cream tea.

Lovely!

Stella

WW 11th August 2021

 

A most pleasant atmospheric evening to head out from Peter Tavy Quarry. Up the lane as the mist gently drifted to visit Twyste once again. Still standing, just, and memories of the those who sat by the fireplace still warm. Down through the long wet grass to the lane and across Broadmoor Brook. Steadily up the hill with a pause to admire the bull and his extended family. The froggy lane (none in sight) led us to the open moor. Up and up (seemed like a long way) just keeping up to White Tor with the remnant of the fibreglass range pole and shelter found for a cuppa. Compass definitely needed to head down down by the fantastic settlement to Wedlake. Through and out to round the wall and the new footpath by Higher Godsworthy - we knew where we were as the dogs barked. Signs of the nights drawing in and the approach of Autumn but just enough light to get back to the cars. On to the welcoming Peter Tavy Inn which was quite busy with lots of folk enjoying an evening drink.

TWW 10th August 2021

 

For once things went to plan! Although there was a bit of dithering bimbling going on we all arrived back at the start point. Back to the beginning and setting out from the Willsworthy range car park to admire the odd H, WB and WD stone and on to Yellowmeade for a quick view, over the gate, of the remains of the farmstead.  Then on via a muddy stream, not a water crossing, honest! to Reddaford Farm site, which proved a good spot for a cuppa and a history lesson of the farmstead – yes there was undoubtedly a medieval longhouse there at some point. 😊

Onwards to skirt round Doe Tor, no let’s summit it instead, so we did. Then down to Black Rock pool on the Lyd where a trio of intrepid ladies braved the cold for a dip (it really did get warmer after a while or was it just the whole body went numb?) and then were joined a brave man too.  Others just enjoyed the scenery and picnic – probably very wise.

Back then, via Doe tor Farm back along the track and boggy bit and then up  for a bit gate limbo or high jump and then avoiding the very tussocky stuff to meander back to the cars.  The weather was for once dry and even provided a little sunshine to warm the freezing bodies.

Jane

WW 4th August 2021

 

From Whiteworks.

Setting off across the mire,

Squelchy, squelchy, squelchy,

On route to Childe's Tomb a lovely cist was seen,

Tussock, tussock, tussock,

Then up the path for panoramic Fox Tor views,

Rocky, rocky, rocky,

The hidden sunshine valley next,

Tussock, tussock, tussock,

Three crosses had to be missed,

Dimpsey, dimpsey, dimpsey

To Fox Tor farm, a lovely ruin,

Tussock, tussock, tussock,

Swincombe next in failing light,

Tussock, tussock, tussock,

A wall to follow to the road,

Torchlight, torchlight, torchlight.

And Brenda said she enjoyed it - wonderful.

Mike

TWW 3rd August 2021

 

Marvellous weather for a classic walk - our annual trip to Fur Tor. Hardly the hint of a breeze as we set out from Lane End gently up to Ger Tor. The cleave was very quiet below as we made our way round to Tavy Cleave Tor. Down to Deadlake Foot and uppety to Amicombe huts for a nice cuppa - plenty of coal and water out there if you fancy a trip. Along by that tor that isn't and down to Sandy Park. Very easily across and the steady climb to Fur Tor. The summit soon came into view and a nice cooling breeze helped us find shelter for lunch. Views far and wide from this Queen of tors. Not a soul out there until two other walkers arrived as surprised as us to see anyone. So wonderful to have all this fantastic countryside on our doorstep and just so, so quiet. Lunch over and time to head down to cross the streams; always aiming for the flagpole on the horizon. The tussocks were not too tiring as we found the hitching post and the old, old lane that bends its way to Lynch. A neat track took us along the edge of the huge fire that raged here earlier in the year. Few signs of its effect; it must have just zipped across the top of the dry grass. Standon Hill made a nice spot for a snack before making our way back, easily crossing the Tavy to the cars.

A marvellous day to be out enjoying the very best that Dartmoor offers.