TWW 28th December 2021

 

High winds were forecast on the high moor and not wishing to been blown off our feet and deposited on top of Fur Tor, I plotted a low level walk from The Peter Tavy Inn through soggy fields, rocky stream like tracks and country lanes.  Passing through many fields we came across wall stiles, ladder stiles and normal wood stiles - all designed to exercise Charlie’s new hip - gold star for Charlie who tackled all of these admirably.  Uphill we plodded to Boulters Tor with a diversion to Twyste Farm before coming back to pub via the Collybrook path.

Highlight of the walk was seeing a fine pig who was very friendly and enjoyed a fuss. Then lots of piglets, who must have heard us, squeezed under the wire to join Mum!  Gorgeous piggies!

Pub lunch at The Peter Tavy Inn was yummy. 

Walkers:  Dianne, Jon, Tylo, Anne, Brenda, Charlie, Phil, Colin and Amber.

WW 22nd December 2021

 

Well the nights are drawing out and a good time to set out from the quarry car park. Gently up to the railway line and along. By the new phone mast to the take off for Dousland Reservoir - from where all the best people get their water. And along by the busy leat to cross the road. By the deer proof enclosures where re-wilding is really taking hold - not much chance of bashing a way through that lot. By the leat all the way to the measuring station where '3' was the reading. Up the tumbling fall and along the fishy walk - no sign of Sam or Geoff. One of many memorial seats provided a nice spot for a cuppa and ponder. Down to Lethertor Farm and the fantastic bridge. By the blowing house and round the end of the reservoir. Into the arboretum and out again, rather pixie led back to the very quiet road. The refurbished track from Longstone Manor has descended back into thick gloopy mud. Over Sheepstor Dam and back. 

A most pleasant pre-Christmas circumnavigation of the lake.

TWW 21st December 2021

 

Dry sunny walk from Grenofen to West Down & back to Doublewaters finding a boundary stone that we hadn’t seen before. Skirting the copper mining areas alongside the river we climbed to Berra Tor where we  downed red & white wine & a selection of naughty nibbles. Fortunately the route was downhill all the way to the cars! It was an easy stroll to connect with the Drake Trail & descend through woodland to our vehicles. We lunched at the Drake Café where we thoroughly enjoyed super food & a licensee who entertained us with jokes & local trivia. A great end to a lovely day & wishing all our friends a Happy Christmas & a Covid free New Year.

Colin & Amber

WW 15th December 2021

 

Well it was advertised as a short walk, and it was. One could almost call it a mini walk with mini attendance, just the two of us.

From the car park beside the River Lynher, just over Callington New Bridge, we followed the river as it flowed down stream admiring the work of the Lumberjacks who have been creating barriers with tree trunks to prevent walkers from falling into the river and disturbing the wild life. From the posts we saw these include Otters and Kingfishers, but on a dark but warm night none were spotted. They have also been coppicing to attract more varied wildlife.

It was then across the road, over the stile and the steep but short climb to visit Cadson Bury Fort, a medieval settlement now looked after by the National Trust. We circumnavigated the fort from where there are fine views on a day walk, but with very few properties in the area there were few lights visible. It was then back down the hill to pass through the gate and cross back to the river bank where we found a bench for coffee break, followed by a rapid return to the cars. No visit to the pub this time with Christmas round the corner and, with the hope of seeing our families, discretion was the order of the evening.

It was agreed that this will make a good start to a longer walk in the spring taking in Kit Hill.

Peter

TWW 14th December 2021

 

Full carpark, in the mist , so many , 13 in fact, wonderful .

No view of any moors so it was blind leading blind up through the Bronze Age village and the old quarries. Soon to the Leedon Tors with their strange grumpy shapes. Past tracks and hollows down to the railway and on to the shelter of Ingra Tor Quarry and its lovely circular crane bases for coffee and treats.

Now down a track to join a bridle path linking to Routrundle. And a familiar figure approaches through mist. We are now 14.

Next along the track we come to the interestingly named Babyland, a very well defined longhouse and associated buildings with garden . This delighted even those who keep an eye on all things longhouse !

On along the track now , past Routrundle Farm and on up to the moors again. Through grassy gorsey lands to another area of circular homes before rejoining the railway.

The mist was still around us as we climbed away up past the old quarry and pits towards the stone row..quite a long one..once found !! No one lost !

Rumbling tummies and a contour to follow back to the cars in the mist and a drive down the hill to a very pleasant convivial Burrator Inn with very tasty meals and snacks. 

To be repeated. On a clearer day !!

Anne

WW 8th December 2021

 

According to the English dictionary, wind is a current of air, sometimes of considerable force, moving generally horizontally from areas of high pressure to areas of of low pressure. That's a very genteel way of putting it I'd say!

From the quarry car park at Two Bridges we negotiated many horrid stiles to pass through the woods and Cowsic River. Very picturesque in the light of our head torches.

Most Interesting was the biggest fairy circle with enormous fairy fungi I've ever seen, spooky!

Past the farm and up through Beardown Wood the wind got stronger until out on to the ridge it did its best to discourage us from carrying on. One of us couldn't breathe, another couldn't stand up, but did we give up? No we did not, no plan B tonight! Finally reaching one of the Beardown Tors we gratefully sheltered under somewhat precariously balanced rocks for much needed drinks. The views of Princetown below us looked quite Christmassy ahhhh!

Slight wrong turn of direction took us through king-size tussocks worthy of Raz, instead of nice clear path, until we leapt over the leat and followed the rough path back down past Beardown Farm, horrid stiles, past the hotel who gives all travellers, walkers etc a very warm welcome .... as long as its before 4oclock in the afternoon! 10 o'clock and the Prince of Wales was open, a Christmas party in full swing. Too loud for Conversation, foot tapping and head nodding was all we could do until suddenly the music stopped, everyone baled out and we were.....

Driving home for Christmas!! 🎄

Brenda

TWW 7th December 2021

Many and varied spurious reasons (excuses) for not entering into the teeth of Storm Barra were posted on WhatsApp prior to the event.

However three intrepid souls (mad old fools) joined me and ‘im in a force 70 Gale and driving rain to attempt the Two Moors Way circuit.

A quick photo by the cross in case there was not another opportunity and off we set on a backwards route on account of the weather. The paths had turned into streams or sticky, slippy mud as we headed up past Birch and on to be greeted at the road crossing by our lovely ladies of the moor. I was envious of their waterproof leather coats and long eyelashes. On up we slogged buffeted by the wind to reach the wall and at last to turn our backs on the wind as we headed to Shapley. Coffee time saw us in a hut circle which offered a little shelter.

Then……..the magic of the Moor happened. It stopped raining ………the sun came out! just as Phil had predicted.

On down through Shapley car park to meet the lovely old sunken road to Lettaford with its wonderful array of old tree roots where surely fairies live. We again picked up the Two Moors way through Jurston to Lingcombe. For sale when we were here last time now being gutted and rebuilt by a local lad from Horrabridge. A two to three year project we were told but nice to know it will be lived in by the owner unlike other houses we had passed. On reaching Hurston we followed the footpath back onto the open Moor. We again picked up the Two Moors way avoiding the boggy valley below and back to the cars, surprisingly still only ours in the car park.

You really should have been there. Not half as bad as expected in fact rather pleasant to have a proper Dartmoor walk with proper Dartmoor weather.

Maybe we’re not as mad after all.

Stella

WW 1st December 2021

 

It was a dark and stormy night ….. our leader was feeling rough as rats so he handed over his map and beetled off home - best place if you feel like that.

All available gear was donned before crossing the leat and heading up towards Pew Tor. Not a night for standing around on top of rocks so it was round the Tor and down to the track that leads to Heckwood Tor. That beautifully dressed block of granite still there -  some hours of work went into that. Down then to cross the stream under a glowering Vixen Tor, a bit of guesswork on tracks to find us a bridge over the leat just below the quarry car park under Little Staple. Up through the boulders, past several set makers benches, for a brief cuppa  in the lee of some rocks. Up to Middle Staple next where it seemed a little less cold and a little less windy than expected and quite a few stars were showing. Down to Beccamore Combe ( thanks Jane for the name ) along the leat to Windy Post. Staying high to avoid the gorse and boggy tracks we returned to the cars - you know what: it was quite a nice evening by then.

Back to his local to toast Terry. He had as good a send off as anyone could ask for. We will all miss him.

Mike